In a new series here at Flickering Myth, D.J. Haza presents a selection of films to watch before you die…
Human Traffic, 1999.
Written and Directed by Justin Kerrigan.
Starring Danny Dyer, John Simm, Lorainne Pilkington, Nicola Reynolds and Shaun Parkes.
Justin Kerrigan’s tale of drugs, clubs, pubs and parties is an iconic film about the lost weekend and follows a group of friends from the time they clock off work on Friday evening, through a busy weekend and onto the Sunday come down. Jip (Simm), Moff Dyer), Coop (Parkes), Nina (Reynolds) and Lulu (Pilkington) are the product of the chemical generation and their lives revolve around working all week to earn enough money to party all weekend.
The film’s five protagonists all have their own issues and flaws that make them suffer in their daily life so they make every weekend an opportunity to escape from the fears, failures and trappings with drugs and music. Each of these flawed characters rely on one and other for support, friendship and good times as they rampage around the clubs and parties of Cardiff with a Pete Tong soundtrack.
The film deals with the ups and downs of drug culture as well as giving more than a gentle nod to every single clubbing cliché in the book. Paranoia, erectile dysfunction, the blues and spliff politics all add a bit of substance to a film filled with some of the finest house music Cardiff has to offer. Not only is Human Traffic a great film to watch to get you in the mood for a party, but it’s also one of the most quotable films on the shelf.
You must watch Human Traffic before you die because it’s a great mood lifting film, has a killer sound track and was written by Justin Kerrigan in the year following his graduation from film school. Kerrigan has added plenty of character to his story and brought a unique style of directing that heightens the lost weekend to larger than life status. Kerrigan was only 25 years old when Human Traffic was released and the success it earned as a cult classic is an amazing achievement for such a young director.
Have it large with Human Traffic!
D.J. Haza
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Originally published November 14, 2011. Updated April 10, 2018.
