Our industry has been the subject of many social and political movements, so directors have tried to capture it on both the small and the big screen. Another way of portraying the art and the legacy of electronic music, but with the eternal struggle of finding something worth to watch. We all know that awful feeling of searching for hours and hours and then falling asleep on the couch because you’re not really interested.
At Xceed, we have tried to make your life a little easier by compiling a list of good electronic music movies and documentaries to watch when you don’t feel like going out, but still want to get your rave on. And hey, some of these might be great for updating your knowledge on the origins of your favorite music. So clear your schedule and enjoy watching!
How Techno was born: From Detroit to Berlin and back
Berlin is the techno capital of Europe, we can all agree on that. But before the chicken came the egg. As you probably know, Detroit had a big influence on the German capital after the fall of the Berlin Wall, with clubs like Tresor leading the way. A story full of political background, culture in all its kinds and a lot of music that has been captured in the mini-documentary you can see below, developed by DW History and Culture.
La Ruta
Some had the pleasure to experience it, others have only dreamed about it. Spain had its own vision of electronic music and the world should know about it. The Ruta Destroy or Ruta del Bakalao was one of the most influential events of the industry in the southern country. It brought hundreds of souls to the Valencian Community in the mid 80s and early 90s and set the basis for the genre across the peninsula.
‘La Ruta’ tells the fictional story of Marc, a DJ who, following his brother’s example, becomes famous and brings the beat to the nights of the Valencia coast in clubs such as Spook, ACTV, Espiral and Puzzle, some of them still active. A reflection of an era that many remember with nostalgia available through ATRESplayer.
Underplayed
A male-dominated industry, where every step you take is judged mostly on how you look. ‘Underplayed’ is a documentary by Stacey Lee that focuses on gender, ethnicity and sex equality through the eyes of pioneering female leaders in electronic music. Big stars such as Nervo, Rezz or Alison Wonderland tell from their own experience the challenges they have faced throughout their careers and still face today. If only documentaries like this didn’t have to be filmed…
Distant Dancefloors: COVID-19 and the electronic music industry
The pandemic marked a before and after in the music business. It brought everything to a halt and ruined artists and promoters, while it took away from the fans what made them alive, music. This documentary tells, through the eyes of names like Blond:ish, Eats Everything or Honey Dijon, how one of the hardest events in the industry was experienced and answers questions such as: Will streaming remain popular? Is it an opportunity to change the industry for the better? What has been the impact on the hundreds and thousands of people whose livelihood depends on the industry?
The Hacienda: The Club that Shook Britain (BBC Documentary)
More than four decades since its opening, the story of Manchester’s iconic nightclub The Hacienda is brought to life. All of it, through the stories of New Order members Peter Hook and Stephen Morris, founders of the club, as well as the experiences of famous regulars such as Noel Gallagher and Shaun Ryder.
This documentary captures the testimonies of the people who ran it in its heyday and those whose lives were transformed by this iconic club. It reveals the radical beginnings of this venue, as well as the music and craziness that has accompanied it. It also immerses us in the history of acid house, the youth movement that shaped a whole generation and changed the course of England. A revolution that sprouted within the walls of an old warehouse in the heart of Manchester.
Le choc du futur
A dazzling music film based on the rising star of French music, Clara Luciani, and the renowned singer Alma Jodorowksy, lead singer of Burning Peacocks. ‘Le choc du futur’ is a strongly feminist tale about the birth of electronic music in Paris in the late 1970s. The protagonist will use her devices to be heard and create the music that will shape the decades to come.
Can You Feel It – How Dance Music Conquered the World
If you are reading this, it is because electronic music has changed your world, or is about to change it. ‘Can You Feel It’ is a three-part series that delves into the three pillars of the scene: the origins, the clubs and the rise of the DJ. From the UK to Ibiza to everywhere in the world . The story of the dance revolution that is still evolving everyday!
The Kick, The Snare, The Hat & A Clap
We could write a single book about the history of the warehouse party scene. To this day, we still find these raves in some places but police regulations have diminished their existence. In the 90s, everything was different and less strict. And in and around the Ouseburn Valley (Newcastle), warehouse parties were something else. ‘The Kick, The Snare, The Hat & A Clap’ tells their thrilling story, directed by Susie Davies.
Now that you’ve got plenty of fresh options to add to your list, pop some popcorn in the microwave. And find the most comfortable side of your sofa. We promise that after this, you’ll see electronic music in a whole new level.