The six-episode “Scene Report” parodies subcultures in the style of television reports from the 90s. Philistinism meets teenagers with big plans.

Scene Report: How cool are they? Photo: Steven Breden/MDR

If you search for techno documentaries on YouTube, you will quickly come across outdated shows. Still filmed on VHS, they have names like “Raver, Rush & Risk” or “60 Hours of Nonstop Party” and try to explain the new subculture to the public television audience of the 90s in a slightly bourgeois tone. It sounds something like this: “Techno is the name for acoustic chaos that is currently very popular among teenagers and twenty-somethings. “All this doesn't have much to do with music, it's more of a kind of intoxication.”

The “Scene Report”, a six-part mockumentary from ARD, is barely distinguishable from this. But it's not just ravers that are parodied. The episodes, created in collaboration with people from the scene, also deal with clichés about emos, LAN parties, skate punks, indie and street dance. Of course, this wouldn't be half as fun if there wasn't a bit of truth in it and if you didn't recognize a bit of your younger self in it.

It doesn't matter if you were part of one of the subcultures described here or one of the previous ones, such as hippies or poppers. Because some elements are found everywhere: worried parents who nevertheless repeatedly claim that in the past they would have “let off steam.” Neighbors sensitive to noise. The shattered dream of a musical career. Criticism of commercialization.

The youth sociologist should also not be missing, who sees in each new youth movement a clear parallel with the “Storm and Drang” literary movement. But you don't have to be a scientist to realize that sometimes it's just about community, belonging, and good music. And all this is just a phase. EITHER?