Cristian Ortega

Director Brian Welsh lensed “Beats” in black and white – in the proud ’90s indie film tradition – with well-played splashes of color reserved for red buttons on boom boxes and kaleidoscopic psychedelic rave experiences. Co-written by Welsh and Kieran Hurley based on the latter’s play, “Beats” features an dynamically authentic soundtrack compiled by Optimo’s JD Twitch and featuring music by the likes of The Prodigy, Orbital and N-Joi.

Before Beats splashes a single image across the screen, this energetic, perceptive and bittersweet ‘90s-set Scottish drama establishes its mood and vibe in a pitch-perfect way. First, viewers hear the play button being pressed on a cassette deck. Then, the thumping introduction to Ultra-Sonic’s ‘Annihilating Rhythm Part 1’ pumps through the speakers, instantly proving as infectious as it always has to dance floors filled with ravers for decades.