Kraftwerk

This DVD reviews the career and music of Kraftwerk, from their inception in the late 1960s [as pre-Kraftwerk ensemble Organisation], through their most celebrated period in the mid 1970s, and culminating with their resurgence during the 1980s with the popularity of synth-pop and techno. The film further explores how Kraftwerk both fitted in and pulled away from the electronic wing of what is often lazily referred to as ‘Krautrock’. This programme presents a fascinating story previously untold on film.

I bought this documentary the other day at Rotate This in Toronto. I was looking for some inspiration and I figured a documentary on such a ground-breaking band would do the trick. And I was totally right!

Kraftwerks two main members were from Dusseldorf and whereas most artists would do anything to be associated with their sorted history, Kraftwerk didnt shy away from it. From their name, to their appearance, to the art direction, they were german efficiency at its best. It’s kind of scary how you can listen to a Kraftwerk song and it sounds like it was made last week.

What I didn’t realize that the Kraftwerk portion of the doc is actually only a small part of the footage. This documentary spends a good hour explaining how the 60s American/British rock influenced but gave rise to an entirely different movement in Western Germany with their own interpretation of psych rock and eventually Kraut Rock. Aside from a few Can songs, I didnt really know much about the genre. I always had a fondness for Tangerine Dream’s synthy cosmic bliss but had no idea they were German. I was unaware of how the early experimentations of Pierre Henry and Shaeffer ended up insipiring them to use instruments as vessels instead of the more traditional way. This video helps fill many gaps and also really gives you a primer on the growing german music scene of the late 60s and early 70s by the new youth. Having spent quite a bit of time in various parts of Germany, this was a real eye-opener into the cultural differences between western and eastern sections and how that affected the art.