There seems to be a intrinsic need within the human psyche for music. Whether that is creating or listening depends very much on your talent. As Plato is often misquoted as saying, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Whilst electronic music is only now beginning to get the recognition it deserves, it has been around since at least the 1950s. The Sound is Innocent tells the story of its evolution.
Johana Ožvold takes us on a journey through time and space in her new documentary. Along with the help of some leading lights working in the fields of experimental and electronic music (including Kode9, Kassel Jaeger, John Richards and Julian Rohrhuber), she guides us through an audio-visual odyssey. Split into five chapters, The Sound is Innocent investigates the changing relationship between man and machine and pivotal movements within the genre’s history.
Constructed in a unique and dynamic way, The Sound is Innocent is a thoughtful, clever and inventive looks at the history of electronic music. Filmed as if it were a science fiction film, Ožvold takes great joy in playing with the audience and spinning the story out in unusual ways. It’s highly distinctive and rather unusual. The style has the effect of drawing the viewer in, so even if you have limited interest in this area, it’s still fascinating.
The Sound is Innocent screens at Sheffield Doc/Fest on 8 and 10 June.
