High Tech Soul

Made in 2006, High Tech Soul is one of the first documentaries to illustrates the deep roots of Detroit techno in relation with the cultural and socio-economics elements of the city. It features in-depth interviews with some of the most influential pioneers of techno music. Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May share their thoughts on the emergence of techno music. They explain how the Detroit living conditions played a monumental role in the emersion techno music. Written and directed by Gary Bredow.

We call it techno (2008)

‘We call it techno’ portrays the exportation of techno from Detroit and Chicago to German cities. It evaluates how the techno scene in Germany built on the genre that was formed in the United States. The 100-minute-long documentary consists of a lot of rare film and photographic material from 1988 to 1994. This material includes viewpoints and comments of some of the most innovative artists during that time. Directed by Maren Sexto and Holger Wick

Modulations (1998)

Modulations is a 75-minute-long documentary that attempts to cover the very wide genre of electronic music in its entirety. It exists interviews with some of the most influential players in electronic music history. The documentary focuses on the human element behind electronic music. It does so by illustrating how even the most futuristic and alien-like productions consists of a human factor, and highlights what this factor entails. Directed by Iara Lee and written by Peter Shaprio.

Universal Techno (1996)

One of the older documentaries on techno music. Universal Techno is an hour-long film that provides a historic and succinct portrayal of Detroit as a city that was overtaken technology and subsequently abandoned by it. Pioneers of techno; Mad Mike, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson and Juan Atkins discuss the effects of the socio-economic conditions in Detroit on the people of the city, as well as it’s role in the creation of techno music. Directed by Dominique Deluze

RA: Real Scenes

A film series created by Resident Advisor, which explores the musical, cultural and creative climate within electronic music’s key destinations. The series includes films on the electronic music scene of Bristol, Detroit, Berlin, Paris, Johannesburg, New York, Tokyo, Mexico City, LA and London.

https://www.residentadvisor.net/features.aspx?series=realscenes

Slices: Pioneers of Electronic Music, Richie Hawtin

Slices – Pioneers of Electronic Music, a documentary series that celebrates the life and work of pioneers in the global electronic music scene.

In this edition of Slices, you are brought on a journey into the life of one of the most influential techno producers in history; Richie Hawtin. The film illustrates the important stages and events in Hawtin’s young life. While also showing how these events played an influenced his music. After which, the film examines how Hawtin undergoes the transformation into a succesful techno-entrepreneur. Directed by Maren Sexto and Holger Wick

Dont forget to go home (Feiern)

A film conveying the excess of 24-hour Berlin club life. Featuring Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano among others, ‘Feiern’ communicates the intensity of Berlin. It shows viewers the peaks and throughs of a 72-hour party marathon. Directed by Maja Classen

Sub Berlin: The Story of Tresor

A documentary featuring the history of the legendary Berlin club Tresor, from the opening of the club until the closure of the original location. The film consists of interviews with various DJs that played a large role in the emergence of the club, as well as the people working behind the scenes of the club. Directed by Tilmann Künzel.