A new documentary explores how the techno genre spread from Detroit to Berlin, which is today's epicenter of techno. The film features interviews with some of the most significant figures from the early days of the techno scene: Juan Atkins, Alan Oldham (DJ T-1000), Ellen Allien, and Tresor founder Dimitri Hegemann. Additionally, archival footage of interviews with DJ Detroit and Paul van Dyk also make appearances.
For those who might raise concerns about the omission of some pioneers of the scene, primarily Kraftwerk, it's important to note that the film's focus is squarely on techno and the Detroit-Berlin relationship. While the title "How Techno Was Born?" may generate expectations about listing the most important musical influences, the film effectively captures the essence of the genre's evolution and its global diffusion within a concise 19-minute runtime.
The story commences in 1980s Berlin, when the Berlin Wall still divided the city into two parts. The cultural scene in West Berlin was freer, while underground subcultural movements were emerging in East Berlin, drawing inspiration from the West.
In the early 1990s, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, influences and ideas began to intermingle, gradually shaping the city's musical identity. During this time, Dimitri Hegemann organized Berlin's initial techno parties in Tresor, a former border location. DJs such as Jeff Mills and Juan Atkins introduced the European audience to the captivating sound inspired by Detroit's factories.
The documentary also illustrates the moment when techno experienced a boom in Berlin and transitioned from underground to mainstream. Tresor gained recognition as the heart of the techno movement, although Hegemann notes that excessive curiosity transformed the club into somewhat of a tourist attraction. This aspect often leads to the oversight of the African-American influence, despite its significance in Berlin's techno scene.
Meanwhile, in 1980s Detroit, the once-famous automobile industry was gradually declining. Economic issues increasingly affected the population, resulting in mass layoffs as robots replaced workers in factories. Influenced by the ambiance of post-industrial decay, pioneers like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson were among the first to experiment with futuristic sounds and coin the term "techno" to describe their music.
The documentary concludes with footage from two festivals: Juan Atkins performing STORM at the Berlin Philharmonic signifies that electronic music has finally gained recognition as a valuable artistic expression.
This highlights the rightful place of the Techno movement in Berlin's cultural heritage. The final scene showcases the Movement festival in Detroit, paying tribute to the city where the techno story originated.
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