Documentaries about dance music offer us insight and raise awareness. Whether celebrating individuals, industries, or scenes who helped get us here or focusing on what coronavirus has taken from dance music in 2020 – these dance music movies do exactly that.
Discover the history of dance music from NYC disco to Europe and International scenes that advanced it, plus how gay culture has contributed breaking to this genre of music.
Underplayed
Stacey Lee’s debut feature, Underplayed, made its world premiere at Toronto and is now streaming on Amazon Prime, focused on gender representation in EDM with particular attention paid to one discouraging statistic: of Billboard’s 2019 list of 100 DJs, only five were female DJs. She tackled this issue by conducting in-depth interviews with female artists like Rezz, Alison Wonderland Sherelle Nightwave Louisahhh Nervo and TOKiMONSTA; providing both empowerment and hopefulness to viewers who felt excluded in EDM circles.
This film delves deeply into the history of sexism in electronic music, revisiting pioneers such as Delia Derbyshire and Suzanne Ciani while illuminating how women have been barred from education since its conception. It’s unfortunate that an industry founded on values such as diversity, inclusion, and community hasn’t taken more steps toward addressing gender issues.
But the documentary doesn’t simply cast blame on male gatekeepers or audiences for being sexist; instead it dives deep into each woman’s individual experiences. Sherelle recalls experiencing sexism when starting out; TOKiMONSTA talks about receiving death threats online; Nightwave recalls being met with “gropes” during a Boiler Room performance in 2019 which was met with remarks such as, “Whose girlfriend is this?”
Lee’s film doesn’t shy away from discussing racism either, with an important point being made about how women of color may face more severe limitations in gaining admission to festival lineups than others.
Though Underplayed may appear soft on its subject matter, one could easily argue that the movie would have been more impactful had it explored more deeply into why women can’t seem to make it in electronic dance music (EDM). Perhaps its roots lie with institutional chauvinism within the music business or whether an audience expects and desires male artists as EDM stars; regardless, Underplayed should be watched by anyone interested in dance music and may help you dance harder!
Daft Punk: The Early Years
Daft Punk fans have long anticipated the release of a documentary detailing their lives since French electronic music duo Daft Punk won album of the year honors at 2014 Grammys with Random Access Memories, but finally made its way onto television screens this June via Canal+ in France.
Daft Punk Unchained, directed by Herve Martin-Delpierre and featuring Bangalter and de Homem-Christo’s journey from their initial school band formation to global superstardom is chronicled by Herve Martin-Delpierre’s documentary. Additionally, Daft Punk Unchained explores their creative process as well as what influences have contributed to shaping their sound; from 70s funk and disco to rock and house music as influences for this unique sound.
Daft Punk have pioneered dance music into uncharted corners of popular culture since their formation in the early ’90s. Their head-nodding club music felt refreshing at a time when rock was the de facto language of mainstream teenage rebellion, and since then their eclectic blend of techno, funk, and rock has inspired remixes by musicians as diverse as Pharrell Williams, The Weeknd, Chic’s Nile Rodgers of Chic fame, Julian Casablancas from The Strokes as well as soundtracking both sequels of Tron, and become icons of global culture.
Along the way, their outward persona has evolved alongside their musical styles. At times resembling anime cartoon characters or Michel Gondry films (such as Daftendirektour).
Discover is an album that showcases their ability to keep creating, with orchestral arrangements on “Give Life Back to Music” and choral flourishes of “Horizon Ouverture.” Additionally, their bonus material from the deluxe edition takes their music even further by including tracks like “GLBTM (Studio Outtakes),” which transition from polished funk of “Homework” into warm resonance of acoustic instruments–from funky guitar whirlpools to youthful falsettos of clapping hands clapping hands clapping hands!
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland returned after two years, this time with its theme of “The Reflection of Love.” Unlike any other music event, Tomorrowland is unique; boasting its own currency, town and an unparalleled lineup featuring some of the biggest DJs from dance music – drawing people from around the globe for its annual celebration of unity and love through musical communication – something We Are Tomorrow’s documentary so beautifully captured.
Directed by Wim Bonte, this poetic and visually beautiful documentary film follows four Tomorrowland attendees from different corners of the globe: German DJ Topic, Indian-born world-renowned chef Gaggan Anand, Kenyan business owner Vicky Tah and Belgian Mainstage dancer Kelly De Clercq are each unique to Tomorrowland attendees around the globe and share unique tales that parallel spectacular footage of actual event day itself.
Tomorrowland begins with an intense newsreel footage sequence that you might expect in a dystopian tale of humanity’s decline or salvation, yet soon shifts into more optimistic territory, depicting a future world where people live harmoniously with nature and each other – this is where Tomorrowland finds its magic; Frank Robinson (portrayed by Thomas Robinson) and Casey Robertson (Britt Robertson) take charge in recruiting new members to this utopian community.
Apart from its two leading characters, the film also stars an impressive ensemble cast. George Clooney portrays disillusioned genius inventor Frank while Raffey Cassidy brings Athena – a teenage science enthusiast and DJ who joins Raffey Cassidy’s Athena to life – an integral component of this fantasy tale. Although each actor and actress offers something special to this fantasy film. While its acting is top notch, some action sequences can feel overdone while its narrative often feels disconnected – regardless, this film remains enjoyable from start to finish and manages to capture this legendary festival event!
What We Started
What We Started is a dance music documentary that examines both its history and future development. From disco in the ’70s through Chicago House and Detroit techno in the ’80s and UK rave culture in the ’90s, before coming together into today’s enormously popular EDM scene, this film shows its evolution.
It features interviews with several legendary DJs and producers such as Carl Cox and Martin Garrix, and illustrates how DJing has changed due to new technology; such as when music used to be mixed on turntables but now uses computer software for mixing.
This documentary provides a great glimpse into how dance music has developed over time and continues to influence culture today. It is sure to captivate fans of dance music!
This film charts 30 years of EDM by following two iconic figures – Carl Cox and Martin Garrix. Cox is an industry veteran in his 50s who is retiring, while Garrix is a 21-year-old Dutch bedroom whiz with global fame on his mind.
What We Started explores the highly popular world of electronic dance music, providing inside access to an often misunderstood industry poised for global dominance. It demonstrates how an underground scene with deep roots in anarchy and frustration has become chart-topping mainstream.
From Diplo’s seductive style to Drake’s soulful soundscape, this documentary takes viewers inside an influential music genre that has transformed fashion, art and culture in general. This journey covers dance music’s journey from gay underground club scenes in US cities through gay underground disco scenes before gradually making its way into mainstream society and multibillion dollar businesses. Along the way you get an inside glimpse at its highs and lows — from its origins in gay underground disco scenes in US cities to mainstream popularity over time. Archival footage, modern performances by major artists as well as interviews with major figures are combined into this film which gives an inside look into house music’s creation as it slowly rose mainstream in American cities from underground disco scenes as its birth in US cities over its slow rise into mainstream popularity!