“Move Ya Body: The Birth of House” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month. It is directed by Elegance Bratton, who delves into the origins of house music, tracing its roots to the aftermath of the 1979 Disco Demolition Night in Chicago. This significant event for the music industry took place on July 12, 1979, at Comiskey Park in Chicago during a Major League Baseball doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. It was a promotional event orchestrated by local rock DJ Steve Dahl, known for his vocal disdain for disco music. The stunt, meant as a tongue-in-cheek protest against disco’s dominance in the music industry, quickly spiraled out of control and became a cultural flashpoint.
The documentary explores how the backlash against disco, epitomized by Disco Demolition Night where disco records were destroyed—unintentionally paved the way for the emergence of house music. The genre was pioneered by Chicago DJs and producers, notably Jesse Saunders and Vince Lawrence, who are featured in the film.
Bratton employs a blend of archival footage, interviews, and cinematic recreations to capture the essence of Chicago’s underground club scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The film highlights the role of marginalized communities, particularly Black and LGBTQ+ artists, in shaping house music.
Critics have praised the documentary for its comprehensive portrayal of house music’s origins. The Hollywood Reporter questions “But what ultimately makes this chapter of Move Ya Body so riveting is the bigger questions it raises about who gets credit and compensation for culture in America,” emphasizing its focus on the contributions of queer musicians, DJs, and producers of color.
“Move Ya Body: The Birth of House” not only chronicles the history of a musical genre but also celebrates the resilience and creativity of communities that transformed adversity into a cultural movement. The official release date is yet to be released.
