Watch Teenage Superstars

Teenage Superstars is a documentary film that takes us back to the 1980s and 90s in Scotland, a vibrant period in music history that produced many of the most exciting bands of that era. The movie explores the careers of a few key musicians who were at the forefront of the Scottish indie scene, including Edwyn Collins, Kim Deal, and Sean Dickson, who formed the bands Orange Juice, The Jesus and Mary Chain, and The Soup Dragons, respectively.

The film begins by setting the historical context for this period, which was marked by Thatcherism and widespread poverty in Scotland. Against this backdrop, a group of teenagers decided to create their own music, inspired by the punk and post-punk scenes that were sweeping the UK at the time. We see old footage of Orange Juice playing in smoky pubs, The Pastels recording in their bedroom, and The Jesus and Mary Chain performing at a riotous gig.

As the music scene grew, so did the rivalries and tensions between bands. Collins discusses the infamous feud between Orange Juice and The Smiths, who accused Orange Juice of being "jingle jangle" and lacking the necessary edge. Collins recalls how this put pressure on Orange Juice to create more "serious" music, which eventually led to the band's break-up. However, he speaks fondly of this period, remembering how they were "all in it together", supporting each other and pushing each other's boundaries.

Collins is one of the central figures of the film, and we see how he went on to achieve solo success with his hit single "A Girl Like You". He talks openly about his stroke in 2005, which left him partially paralyzed and struggling to speak. He expresses his gratitude for the support of his partner Grace and his fans, who helped him recover and return to recording and performing. The film captures some poignant moments of Collins rehearsing with his band and performing live, showing the passion and dedication that still drives him.

Another key figure in Teenage Superstars is Kim Deal, the bassist for The Pixies and co-founder of The Breeders. We see her returning to Glasgow, where she grew up, and visiting her old school and home. Deal talks about how her Catholic upbringing and her experiences growing up in a working-class family influenced her music. She also reflects on the importance of community and support networks, both in terms of helping her start her own bands and in maintaining her sobriety.

Sean Dickson, meanwhile, takes us through the early days of The Soup Dragons, who started as a punk band before incorporating dance beats into their music. He amusingly admits that their success was partly due to the fact that they "had some good haircuts". We see some classic footage of the band playing at the Haçienda in Manchester, and later collaborating with Junior Reid on their hit cover of "I'm Free".

Overall, Teenage Superstars is a lovingly crafted tribute to the Scottish indie scene of the 80s and 90s, which produced some of the most influential and enduring music of that era. The film provides an insight into the creative processes and personal lives of some of the key figures of the scene, as well as capturing a real sense of the community and spirit of those times. Anyone with an interest in indie music, or the social and cultural history of Scotland, will find much to enjoy in this affectionate and engaging documentary.

Teenage Superstars is a 2018 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.