Rave On: Berlin’s Techno Scene Hits Cannes in Raw New Drama

Trailer Drops for New Techno Drama Set in Berlin’s Club Scene — DJ Lucia Lu Emerges as a Scene-Stealer

The global electronic music scene is turning its eyes to Germany with the arrival of Rave On, a bold new techno drama promising a deep, authentic dive into the heart of Berlin’s underground rave culture. With the trailer freshly released and the film set to screen at the prestigious Cannes Film Market on May 15 via sales agency The Playmaker, Rave On is already making waves among fans of electronic music and indie cinema. The film follows a musician’s intense journey through a legendary Berlin club during one unforgettable night — an odyssey that blurs the lines between rave ecstasy and emotional reckoning.

Berlin, globally recognized as a techno mecca, acts not just as a setting but as a living, breathing character in Rave On. The directors — Nikias Chryssos and Viktor Jakovleski — opted for a hybrid cinematic approach, blending narrative fiction with guerrilla-style realism and immersive cinematography. Much of the movie was shot inside real clubs and actual parties, capturing the raw energy of Berlin’s dance floors. The film’s commitment to authenticity resonates even more considering the city’s techno scene was recently named an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO — a milestone that Mixmag highlighted as a landmark in club culture history. As Moritz Hemminger, head of sales at The Playmaker, told Variety, "Rave On is a love letter to techno music and Berlin nightlife. Distributors are in for a wild ride."

At the core of Rave On is its soundtrack — a sonic journey as visceral as its visuals. The film features a curated mix of techno classics alongside original tracks produced specifically for the film by Berlin-based heavyweights Ed Davenport and John Gürtler (renowned for his work on System Crasher). The score also includes contributions from other Berlin artists, offering an authentic reflection of the city's soundscapes.

Read this next: When the Music Ends: Short Film Unveils Sexual Harassment in Electronic Music Scene

One of the most exciting aspects of Rave On is its inclusion of real-life DJs in the cast, bringing yet another layer of credibility to its portrayal of club culture. The film features Chicago experimental legend Hieroglyphic Being, known for his genre-defying sound. But the spotlight shines especially bright on DJ Lucia Lu, a rising star in Berlin’s scene whose presence in the film symbolizes a fresh wave of talent reshaping the future of electronic music.

Watch the trailer for ‘Rave On’ here.

Who Is Lucia Lu?

Born and raised in Berlin, Lucia Lu is a DJ, community organizer, podcaster, and model who brings radiant energy and magnetic presence to every set. She is the co-founder of Hoe_mies, a collective known for creating safe, inclusive spaces for marginalized communities within the nightlife world. Musically, Lucia Lu’s style breaks away from rigid genre definitions, blending techno, house, hip-hop, disco, and pop in fearless, genre-fluid sets. She rose to international attention through Berlin’s iconic Hör livestreams and has since played across Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia.

Her role in Rave On is more than just a cameo — it’s a celebration of the visibility of women DJs and a bold connection between the film and Berlin’s real, thriving, and diverse club scene.

Behind the Film

The film stars Aaron Altaras (The Zweiflers) and Clemens Schick (Dogman, Andor, Das Boot), with production led by Andro Steinborn (Funny Games US remake) via Telos Pictures in co-production with Hessischer Rundfunk/ARTE. The project was supported by major German film institutions including BKM, HessenFilm, and DFFF. German distributor Weltkino is set to release Rave On in cinemas nationwide on July 31, 2025.

As Steinborn told Variety, "Techno is one of Germany’s most significant cultural exports. Rave On is as raw and real as the music itself — a rare cinematic rollercoaster that brings that culture to the screen."

In short, Rave On is more than a film — it’s a tribute to techno as a cultural force. With its unfiltered realism, powerhouse soundtrack, and empowering presence of artists like DJ Lucia Lu, it’s a must-watch for anyone passionate about electronic music, Berlin nightlife, and the voices shaping the next chapter of club culture.

H/T (Variety)