New short film KIDS LIKE US explores Detroit’s 1990s techno scene

KIDS LIKE US is a short film directed and written by Michigan-based filmmaker Luke Jaden and executive produced by Richie Hawtin and it is streaming now on NOWNESS.

Set in Detroit during the early 1990s, the film focuses on the city’s underground electronic music scene and the role of techno culture in shaping identity, community,and connection. The project draws inspiration from the personal experiences of executive producer Richie Hawtin, a pioneering artist closely associated with Detroit’s techno movement.

Shot on 35mm Kodak film, KIDS LIKE US takes visual and thematic cues from events such as the 1994 Spastik party, a now-legendary underground rave held inside Detroit’s Packard Plant that marked the live debut of Hawtin’s Plastikman project.

These illegal parties, promoted through flyers, street signs and telephone hotlines, played a key role in shaping the global perception of Detroit as a centre for electronic music. Attendees at the time included notable figures such as The Blessed Madonna and Daniel Miller of Mute Records.

Says Luke Jaden, “I have always been deeply inspired by the early 90s underground techno culture in Detroit - the birthplace of techno. "It’s a scene where you feel totally free to be yourself and it’s one of the most welcoming, inviting communities to be around: family. The darkness. The single strobe light. The pounding music shaking the walls. The dance floor represents this womb for acceptance and freedom. Not just by society, but with yourself. If anything, it’s an anthem for resilience. Going to a techno show is a sacred place for self-exploration. I have had some of my most deeply personal profound moments on the dance floor at techno parties and it felt like the perfect way to offer this experience to people who haven’t experienced it before. And if you have, then you know how special it is.”

Rather than romanticising the past, the film aims to present an authentic portrayal of the era. It features scenes shot at a current Detroit techno party and incorporates archival references, personal accounts, and original storytelling. According to the filmmakers, the project seeks to examine how temporary spaces such as raves foster personal expression and community.

KIDS LIKE US is currently available to watch on NOWNESS.