Radio On is a 1979 British film following a London DJ on his quest to uncover the mystery of his Brother's suicide.
The film's plot however is not it's key focus. Radio On is a film which has a lot to say and it does this through the use of New Wave British filmmaking techniques and New Wave British music. It contrasts the bombastic sounds and sights of New Wave with the bleak time period in British society.
The use of black and white cinematography in the film is stark and paints a stunning picture; when coupled with songs by the likes of David Bowie, Kraftwerk and Ian Dury, the black and white cinematography creates an overall feeling of bleakness and austerity yet hope and queerness.
There is no non-digestic music in Radio On. The scenes where there aren't music playing are often pictured alongside factory settings and large industrial complexes. This further emphasises to the audience that Britain at the time was a rather hopeless place but during the scenes with music we get glimmers of hope and promise.
It's British and it's proud but not only does it tell an interesting story, chock full of interesting characters and plot beats. Quirky yet hopeless, beautiful yet bleak, Radio On is a stunning portrayal of 1970s Britain and the problems the nation was facing
The film's plot however is not it's key focus. Radio On is a film which has a lot to say and it does this through the use of New Wave British filmmaking techniques and New Wave British music. It contrasts the bombastic sounds and sights of New Wave with the bleak time period in British society.
The use of black and white cinematography in the film is stark and paints a stunning picture; when coupled with songs by the likes of David Bowie, Kraftwerk and Ian Dury, the black and white cinematography creates an overall feeling of bleakness and austerity yet hope and queerness.
There is no non-digestic music in Radio On. The scenes where there aren't music playing are often pictured alongside factory settings and large industrial complexes. This further emphasises to the audience that Britain at the time was a rather hopeless place but during the scenes with music we get glimmers of hope and promise.
It's British and it's proud but not only does it tell an interesting story, chock full of interesting characters and plot beats. Quirky yet hopeless, beautiful yet bleak, Radio On is a stunning portrayal of 1970s Britain and the problems the nation was facing