Parallel

Two techno lives, one rhythm, split across continents

Set between Paris and Shenzhen, Parallel follows the daily lives of two underground techno artists whose paths never cross, yet unfold in constant dialogue through sound and image. In France, Zachary Lew, known as Kelbail, navigates the European club scene while balancing artistic ambition with the demands of everyday life. In China, Max Wei Chaoyun, known as Spotlite, works within a very different cultural and social context, where underground electronic music exists under distinct constraints and expectations.

The film adopts a rigorous split screen structure, presenting both stories simultaneously and allowing similarities and contrasts to emerge organically. Without voice over or retrospective commentary, the documentary adheres to strict cinema vérité principles, observing rehearsals, performances, work routines, and moments of solitude. Youth, livelihood, and creative persistence become shared experiences, despite the geographical and political distance separating the two protagonists.

Developed over two years across two continents, Parallel proposes a contemporary reflection on storytelling at a time when creativity is increasingly shaped by algorithmic logic. By grounding its approach in observation and formal discipline, the film suggests an alternative way of looking at artistic expression today. Parallel premiered on November 9, 2025 at FC Hyena in Amsterdam Noord, marking the first public presentation of this cross continental portrait of underground techno culture.