Film Networks: Modulations

>>USA 1997, 73 min, engl. OV >>Directed by: Iara Lee 

“Cinema for the ears” is the subtitle Iara Lee gave to the successor of her acclaimed first work, Synthetic Pleasures. Modulations is also about a future-oriented phenomenon, namely the stages, reception and consequences of electronic music: from Luigi Russolo’s futuristic “Art of Noises” manifesto (1914) and Cage, Stockhausen, Kraftwerk, Chicago house and Detroit techno to more recent British developments such as jungle and drum & bass. Shot at the hotspots of the international club and rave scene, Modulations depicts this complex history of evolution with adequate means. Collages, overexposure, jump cuts and material mix are the formal equivalents of the unsterile-organic production processes the film shows. Along the way, backgrounds and references become clear which, accompanied by the “cold sounds”, should make all notorious doubters and nay-sayers rethink their opinion. (Text: Cologne Conference) Berlinale (International Forum of Young Film) 1998; Sundance Film Festival 1998

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