Photo by Mark Angelo Sampan
Richie Hawtin has produced a new short film exploring the underground techno culture of 1990s Detroit. Titled Kids Like Us, the 9-minute project was released last week via the video platform NOWNESS.
Directed by Luke Jaden, the film captures the sense of identity and community forged through Detroit’s early techno movement, with a narrative centered on a group of outsiders navigating one night in the scene. Shot on 35mm, the film aims to document what Jaden describes as “a cinematic and truthful” portrayal of that era.
Executive produced by Richie Hawtin, Kids Like Us is partially inspired by his early Plastikman shows and the now-legendary Spastik events held at Detroit’s former Packard Plant venue. Hawtin also contributes original music and sound design for the project.
A British-Canadian producer and DJ, Richie Hawtin is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in minimal techno. Closely associated with the second wave of Detroit techno, Hawtin rose to prominence in the early 1990s through his innovative live sets and experimental releases under his Plastikman alias. In addition to his musical output, he is known for pushing the boundaries of technology in performance, often integrating custom gear and software into his shows.
Speaking to Resident Advisor, Jaden said: “We actually shot the film at a techno party in Detroit. The goal was to make it feel as real and authentic as possible—to reflect the raw energy of that time and space.”
Kids Like Us is now streaming on NOWNESS.
