Showing: 13 June 2026
Late '80s. In an England suffocated by unemployment and Margaret Thatcher’s policies, a generation found refuge and a voice in electronic music.
In abandoned factories and secret fields, underground raves were born, and young people escaped social oppression to the rhythm of a new musical genre: breakbeat. Fusing the raw intensity of Detroit techno, the warmth of Chicago house, and the energy of New York hip hop, breakbeat shattered all the rules, giving birth to a sound that was not just danced to - it was an act of rebellion.
Through never-before-seen archival footage, interviews with underground pioneers, and a soundtrack that still resonates today, this documentary unveils the story of a movement that transformed music, culture, and the very essence of nightlife.
Featuring: Orbital, members of The Prodigy, General Levy, Baby D, DJ Rap, Slipmatt, Uncle Dugs, Goldie, Jumpin Jack Frost, Bryan Gee, Altern 8, DJ Hype, Fabio, Sarah Sandy, The Ragga Twins, DJ Brockie, Bassline Smith, DJ Ron, Master Pasha, Shades Of Rhythm, Nick Halkes, The House Crew, DJ Darren Jay, Junior Tomlin, plus many more...
Rip It Up is a UK-wide season, supported by BFI National Lottery funding, exploring and celebrating the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression on screen in the UK.
