Women are only just now beginning to get the recognition they deserve for their role in pioneering electronic music. Whilst this tardy acknowledgment is a sad indictment of society as a whole, it’s an area of music which has often been easier for females to excel in. Without the necessity of a band or having to deal with outdated male chauvinist notions, although they’re never too far away, electronica is a genre where they are now leading the way. The Shock of the Future is a tribute to those innovators who helped make it all possible.
It’s Paris in 1978 and something is stirring. Young people have become tired and bored with music and are looking for something different. A new sound has arrived which is taking over the clubs and enrapturing a youthful generation. Meanwhile, Ana (Alma Jodorowsky) is experimenting away in her apartment, using an array of electronic equipment to create the sound of the future.
The Shock of the Future is an understated and reserved tribute to likes of Delia Derbyshire, Suzanne Ciani and Laurie Spiegel. Their innovative work and struggles for acknowledgment are encapsulated by the unassuming and determined Ana. Marc Collin opts for a thoughtful approach, allowing his characters to build-up a picture of an era through their interactions and conversations. The Shock of the Future is a slight but intelligent portrait of the women whose hard work and undeniable genius have played an integral part in the music we have today.
The Shock of the Future is out in cinemas from 13 September.
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