Samizdat + Borscht x Belmont: Rave (Łukasz Ronduda & Dawid Nickel, 2024)

With a pre-recorded introduction by Jacek Skolimowski – music journalist, author, radio host and promoter, known for his long‑standing work documenting independent and experimental music scenes

Wheelchair accessible | In Polish; with English and descriptive subtitles

Presented by Borscht Film, a Scotland‑based project presenting contemporary Polish cinema, Rave is a creative documentary exploring the history of Polish techno and rave culture, weaving together the perspective of the 1990s with the experience of Generation Z. The film traces how electronic music became intertwined with Poland’s post‑communist transformation, reflecting the hopes, tensions and contradictions of the era. It highlights the diverse communities that shaped the scene – from the industrial energy of the Łódź techno movement to the iconic Ekwador club in Manieczki. Guiding viewers through this world are Marcello Zamenhoff, a performer and pioneer of Polish rave, and two young ravers, Marysia and Janusz, whose contemporary outlook reveals both fascination with the 1990s and a critical awareness of the utopian dreams of early techno culture.

The documentary is directed by Łukasz Ronduda and Dawid Nickel, two filmmakers whose work bridges contemporary art, experimental cinema and socially engaged storytelling. Ronduda, a curator at the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, is known for films exploring the intersection of art and identity. Nickel, a graduate of the Kieslowski Film School and Wajda School, focuses on nuanced portrayals of communities often stereotyped or overlooked. Their collaboration brings together rigorous research, sensitivity and engagement with the techno community.

Content notes: recreational drug use rated 15

Access notes: flashing lights and loud music

These Screenings are Supported by Creative Scotland's Multiyear Fund and Aberdeen City Council Cultural Investment Programme