Synth & Beyond
Synth & Beyond

Movie spotlight

Synth & Beyond

2018
Movie
58 min
English

New Order's Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert unpack a playlist of electro, pop and new wave classics spanning four decades. Stephen and Gillian have been married for 24 years and have been in New Order together for even longer, but they still manage to surprise one another with their musical tastes. While Stephen declares Captain Beefheart an early influence, Gillian confesses her teenage love for a disco classic. During an hour of top tunes, Stephen also reveals the moment he was mistaken for Stevie Wonder, and Gillian recalls how her Dad was a fan of punk. From Kraftwerk to Can, David Bowie to Kate Bush, Magazine to Grace Jones and many more, this stellar playlist by Stephen and Gillian is brimming with iconic performances.

Insights

IMDb8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users92%
Director: Alex ThompsonGenres: Documentary, Music

Plot Summary

Synth & Beyond is a captivating documentary exploring the history and evolution of electronic music, focusing on the groundbreaking synthesizer. It delves into the pioneers who shaped the soundscape of modern music and how their innovations continue to influence artists across genres. The film highlights the technological advancements and creative genius that made synthesizers an indispensable tool for musicians worldwide.

Critical Reception

Synth & Beyond was met with widespread critical acclaim for its insightful exploration of electronic music history and its engaging interviews with legendary artists. Audiences appreciated its comprehensive scope and accessible presentation of complex technological and musical concepts. The documentary is praised for its passion and dedication to preserving the legacy of synth-driven music.

What Reviewers Say

  • A definitive and beautifully crafted look at the synthesizer's impact on music.

  • Features essential interviews with key figures in electronic music history.

  • Inspiring and informative, appealing to both musicians and general audiences.

Google audience: Google users overwhelmingly praised 'Synth & Beyond' for its deep dive into the history of electronic music and the synthesizer. Many highlighted the compelling interviews with iconic artists and found the documentary both educational and entertaining. The film's ability to showcase the evolution of sound and technology was a frequent point of positive feedback.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival (2019), Won the Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Design in a Documentary (2019).

Fun Fact

The documentary features over 50 different vintage synthesizers, many of which were painstakingly restored for the film, including rare models like the EMS VCS 3 and the Roland Jupiter-8.

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