Dancing on Narrow Ground: Youth & Dance in Ulster, a documentary film about mid-90s Northern Ireland

In a harrowing yet incredible documentary, made for the BBC but never shown, director Des Bell documents 2 groups of Northern Irish youths from either side of the "divide" in the mid-90's, each dealing with their own struggles but with a shared love of dance music and going to Kellys at the weekend.
Dancing on Narrow Ground: Youth & Dance in Ulster, a documentary film about mid-90s Northern Ireland that shows a side of rave culture that's often alluded to, but rarely considered fully: did rave really bring everyone together? Or was that, again, a romantic scenario, quashed by the sociopolitical realities of daily life? Originally commissioned by Channel 4 but never aired on British TV, the film shows pre-Good Friday Agreement relations between young Catholics and Protestants; how rave presents a brief escapism from violence and sectarianism, gradually rendered bittersweet and, by the films close, seemingly futile.
The concept was influenced by John T Davies' classic film on punk in Northern Ireland, Shell Shock Rock. This theme of punk providing a haven from the political conflict in Northern Ireland for young people has found expression more recently in the feature film Good Vibrations; a nostalgic and flawed take on punk in Northern Ireland.
In any documentary film, you are on an emotional roller-coaster. As relations with the young ravers developed, I moved away from exploring a sociological thesis to an engagement with a very particular bunch of personalities. Filming took place in quite difficult production conditions, in what remained a dangerous time on the streets of Northern Ireland. A sort of duty of care emerged. We were not youth workers; you did fear for some of the young people we filmed, but you also need to maintain boundaries. In the end you are making a film, usually for a broadcast audience, and the job has to get done. Although, the film was never in fact broadcast in the end, as it trod on too many toes.
Films like this are all about forging trust between film maker and subject, while at the same time recognising that each come from different locations. The film maker is often more privileged than their working class subjects - a theme we explored in the film, in one bruising encounter.
Rave was probably the last subculture before the deluge of social media which in promoting individualism and celebrity has rather overwhelmed the sort of face to face, group, and street based cultures; where young people could explore their identities while remaining rooted in place, class and generationally generated forms of music, dress and social activity. And of course, now we are nostalgic about this loss of youthful energy.
The particular economic, social and political context of sectarianism in mid 90s Ulster is extremely potent and well documented, but focusing a film on this in the context of rave culture shows new sides of it all. Why do you think rave music and culture was popular in 90s Ulster?
The music was dance music and participative with no real stars. You danced 'till you dropped. The venues and the broader rave culture - the impromptu parties and events - provided a respite from sectarianism, a safe place to meet in a society scarred by violence.
The young people who participated contracted into this utopian place. As with a lot of youth cultures, the energy came from the margins and rave shrunk the distance between metropolis and periphery. Musical styles and favoured DJs travelled fast. What was heard in Amsterdam one week could be heard in Belfast weeks later. And most importantly, it was yours - your music, your dance, your body, your friends - experienced uniquely.
It was always going to be a temporary respite from the problems of the "adult world": sectarian division, dead end jobs, a school system likely to fail you. After the heady excitement of the rave people had to go back to their divided communities, and to the constraints of working class life in Northern Ireland. The experience may have encouraged some young people to reach out towards a political settlement that would tackle sectarianism. Sadly, that's not what they got; as the current settlement has entrenched sectarian divisions rather than removed them, we're still stuck with the same shower of political bigots ruling us.
Rave brought temporary release from the pressures of living in a sick society, some of that release being drug induced - and so there were casualties. Some of the young people we worked with developed serious drug habits, lived on the wrong side of the law and died early. For most, the rave experience was formative and was mind expanding…. although the transition to adult life in a society of constraint could be difficult.
Perhaps you finding this film will lead to a reunion of the rave crowd. Who knows - I'm up for it. Many of the former ravers are in communication with each other still. The film is a sort of family album, all be it with a political message tucked into it.

[@Albert_O_Balsam]

From Lisburn but lived most of my life in Lurgan in a 'Nationalist' area, been going out since 1993, and I've been in predominantly Protestant clubs (Kellys/Lush, Circus, Hegartys, Trax) and predominantly Catholic clubs (Arena, Ta's, Glanpark, Exit 15) and over the course of 30 years I've never seen a fight that was caused by sectarianism at any club, and that's a fact, we're a community in ourselves, and through going to clubs and events I've made lifelong friends from other walks of life that I wouldn't have met, it's a different scene now as there aren't many regular club nights now, but long may the spirit of friendship at dance events continue ❤️

[@deejaystorm]

I was meant to be in this documentary with Mark Young, my wife debs and dream frequency ..was at the manahattan and killwaughter gigs they played that week... Pity I missed this.great to finally see it. Didn't think it would ever be shown know.. Big shout out to the Kelly's massive !!! Still have such strong memories 30 years later ..Best days ever. "Those that were there will never forget,those that weren't will never understand...to go from a day to day life being a walking target and fearing for your life.to a paradise of 1500 people who genuinely never gave a shit about the sectarian hatred that affected our everyday life .Everyone was on the same buzz 😊 and we had our escape from the daily trauma of people dying every day if the week. I. Even remember Ireland beating Italy 1-0 and the whole place going crazy. Meanwhile a bar got shot up in Loughlin Island 😢. Massive respect to blandy and the rest of the dream frequency crew along with ultrasonic, the 2 best PAs about..this was battle of the giants 2 .RIP MALLORCA LEE

[@jamestherandomer]

Brilliant show. Grew up Garvaghy Road. Will never respect anyone more than the lad from Orange Field who lost his da.. he gets both sides of the struggle despite the most horrific sacrifice for him. Absolute love for you man, I hope the world has treated you well since

[@jamestherandomer]

@@Lastcookie Sad to hear that. Sorry for your loss.

[@richardjames8322]

So sad but true. Even in the early 2000s when I was "on the rip" I would have went to any house party. We were all getting on great but then the inevitable comedown....the paranoia kicked in then the panic. We'll all Rave again together as one together someday though. God Bless. ✌

[@paulie6446]

Are you Aphex Twin?😁

[@darrenmurray935]

This is fantastic documentary, cheers for uploading it didn’t think I was gonna find it!

[@ray-x8423]

The good old days on which I wish I was alive🤝🤝

[@mrbongo1981]

ive now got so if deleted again ill reup it

[@tonycampbell3185]

Rest in peace to the old mountain ravers all my das friends,Big soupy campbell is still kicking tho keep er lit and all the best to yasss,TOP MOUNTAIN RAVERS

[@mrbongo1981]

my best mate jonny nevins main man in this now gone along with a few others in this...fuckin thing has been taken down a few times also ill grab and reupload

[@PS-ru2ov]

who are the ones no longer here? sad to hear that

[@paulmoore478]

Liam Barr (Barso) passed away last week from Lenadoon/Rosnareen. RIP

[@jamestoni]

Jonny was nuts, partied a few times with him. id prob know you too. knew a load from Orangefield.

[@dot2562]

Were,u from chum?marty here from tte bloomfield!!!

[@dot2562]

I grew up and ran about 25:34 😊 wif jonny

[@soulrebel2531]

The ol rave s brought young catholic s and protestant s together in dark rave you didn't know who anybody was plus we were all loved up on drugs.

[@sidwhitten7126]

I remember at the time, best thing ever happed ! acab

[@otherlandeire]

big up Kneecap

[@SuperGamerbros360]

Now hardstyle raves in Holland raves are the ticket best xtc u can get

[@hakametal]

When X was actually X.

[@eastgreenketama1]

So sad to hear the narrow minded bitterness of the youth back then. I think things have changed quite a bit. Yes division still exists, but I think we are on the right path. I hope so anyway

[@Harold-fn2vr]

Raves even now would be the best way to break the divisions between youths today for good. Covid really hit the scene badly but hopefully it's makes a revival.

[@futureskeletons66669]

State of this lot.

[@mikelitris868]

RIP JONNY NEVINS, heard so many stories about this fella, and they're all mental, does anyone know where i would find a photo of him as an adult before he passed to see if I recognise him?

[@mikelitris868]

@@rossnevins8513he was an orangefield hero mate, some of the stuff he's done was hilarious, there was a fella getting bullied in school (jonny didn't go to the school) but he snuck in in a uniform and knocked the bullies out.

[@jamestoni]

RIP johnny

[@jamestoni]

@@rossnevins8513 i partied with jonny loads of times during early 90s. loads of stories. good guy.

[@mikelitris868]

Holy fuck greer is brett savages father, late soldier from belfast god rest his soul.