CULTURE ON FILM: 10 Documentaries Exploring the People, Technology, and History Behind Electronic Music

Electronic music has developed through a complex mix of cultural movements, technological innovation, club spaces, and the work of influential artists and producers. Documentaries have played an important role in capturing this evolution, offering insight into not only the music itself but also the social, historical, and technological forces that shaped it.

This list brings together ten films that explore different aspects of electronic music culture, from genre origins and club histories to influential instruments and creative movements.

Pump Up The Volume: A History of House Music (2001)

IMDB: 8.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes: – Letterbox: 3.6/5

Where to Watch: YouTube, Vimeo

Documentary series about the origins and evolution of house music, tracing its roots from disco in New York to its global spread through clubs in Chicago, the UK, and Europe. The series features interviews with pioneers like Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy, discusses the influence of technological advancements, and explores house music’s impact on other electronic genres like techno and drum and bass. 

I Was There When House Took Over the World (2017)

IMDB: 7.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: – Letterbox: –

Where to Watch: YouTube

Two-part documentary series about the origins of house music, which emerged from Chicago’s underground scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The series explores how social unrest, the decline of disco, and underground gay clubs gave birth to this global dance movement. It features interviews with house music pioneers like Nile Rodgers, Marshall Jefferson, and Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley. 

What We Started (2017)

IMDB: 7.0/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 82% Letterbox: 3.4/5

Where to Watch: YouTube

Documentary about the history and evolution of electronic dance music (EDM), exploring its journey from underground roots to global commercial success. The film uses the contrasting careers of two artists, Carl Cox (representing the genre’s history) and Martin Garrix (representing its modern mainstream form), to tell the story. It features interviews with other prominent figures like Moby, David Guetta, and Tiësto to provide a comprehensive look at the industry.

We Call It Techno! (2007)

IMDB: 7.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: – Letterbox: –

Where to Watch: YouTube, Vimeo

Documentary about the rise of the techno music scene in Germany from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. It features rare archival footage and interviews with key figures like Sven Väth, DJ Hell, and Dimitri Hegemann to show the emergence of underground clubs, the first Love Parade, and how the DIY ethos of fans created a new pop culture. 

Sub Berlin – The Story of Tresor (2008)

IMDB: 7.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes: – Letterbox: –

Where to Watch: YouTube

Documentary about the history of the original Tresor club in Berlin, focusing on its role in the techno music scene following the fall of the Berlin Wall. The film traces the club’s journey from its opening in 1991 in a bank vault to its closure in 2005, detailing its unique industrial atmosphere and its connection to the Detroit techno scene through artists like Juan Atkins and Jeff Mills. 

High Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music (2006)

IMDB: 7.5/10 Rotten Tomatoes: – Letterbox: 3.5/5

Where to Watch: YouTube

Documentary about the origins of techno music in Detroit, its birthplace. The film explores how the city’s cultural and industrial history, including the 1967 race riots and subsequent economic upheaval, shaped the genre. It features interviews with key figures like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, and examines the personal struggles and relationships behind the music. 

808 (2015)

IMDB: 7.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 100% Letterbox: 3.4/5

Where to Watch: YouTube

The documentary film “808” is about the history and cultural impact of the Roland TR-808 drum machine. It explores how this machine’s unique sound, born from a manufacturing accident, unexpectedly became a foundational element of hip hop, electronic dance music, and many other genres, narrated by Zane Lowe and featuring interviews with numerous artists and producers like Pharrell Williams, Questlove, and Afrika Bambaataa. 

RiP!: A Remix Manifesto (2008)

IMDB: 7.5/10 Rotten Tomatoes: 42% Letterbox: 3.5/5

Where to Watch: YouTube, Vimeo

Film by Brett Gaylor that explores the intersection of copyright, digital culture, and creativity. It investigates the challenges to creative freedom posed by current copyright laws and examines the rise of remix culture through figures like mash-up musician Girl Talk. The film argues for a more balanced approach to intellectual property that allows for both creators’ rights and the public’s access to culture.

They Call It Acid (2009)

IMDB: 8.8/10 Rotten Tomatoes: – Letterbox: –

A 2009 documentary about the rise of acid house in the UK during the late 1980s. The film explores the music’s origins, its explosion into mainstream culture, and the government’s subsequent backlash, which included a media campaign and new legislation to ban illegal raves. It features rare footage and interviews with key figures from the scene. 

Universal Techno (1996)

IMDB: 8.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes: – Letterbox: –

Where to Watch: YouTube

A 1996 French documentary about the history and international influence of Detroit techno music. Directed by Dominique Deluze, it features interviews with Detroit techno pioneers like Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson, discussing how the city’s post-industrial environment influenced the genre’s development. The film also touches on early electronic music innovators like Kraftwerk and their impact.