Do you think Human Traffic encourages or glorifies drug use?
Human traffic is comedy/drama/music film that revolves around 5 main characters and their love for music and drugs. Throughout the film the predominant feature is the use of drugs, which ties in with the rave culture of the 1990's. Not only are the main characters taking drugs, but the majority of the people who are at the clubs and house parties in the film. This suggests that drug use in the 1990 era is very popular. Each of the main characters express their love for the weekend and the majority of them hate their jobs and are living for the weekend. During the film this is continuous reference to the effects that the drugs have on the characters mind and body and is quite informative. However the information mainly focuses around the positive effects of ecstasy such as being able to dance for hours and feeling confident when talking to other people. There is reference to the "come down" after taking the drug which puts drug usage in a more negative appeal. The films main scenes were set in the club and house party in which drugs such as ecstasy, cannabis and alcohol are consumed. The way both the camera angles, flashing lights, loud music, intense colours and fast paced editing are used creates a sense of being in the characters shoes and experiencing what they are.
Theories such as the "Effects Model" where mass media affects the way audience think and behave could be active in Human Traffic due to glorifying drug use and perhaps influencing some people. I personally feel that if you were quite an impressionable person, Human Traffic does glorify drug use and could perhaps persuade you to try them. I also think the film focuses on the positive effects of drugs rather than the health issues that come with consumption. For example a particular scene where Nina's brother is nervous about taking drugs and is set in a science laboratory lab where the teacher is outlining all the negative effects and Jip is telling him about the good effects and that in actual fact the risk of using ecstasy is very small. This could come across as a bit of a biased film and could perhaps include aspects of the propaganda theory if you are an easily impressionable person. However I really enjoyed the film and thought it represent the 1990's raver culture fairly.
