When it was first announced, I was very excited to hear about the new Kraftwerk documentary "Kraftwerk and the Electronic Revolution". And judging by the long wait there was for it on Netflix, I was not alone. Now that I've watched it, though, I have to admit to being a bit disappointed. Not because it's a terrible film, but because it actually offers very little insight into Kraftwerk. Where the film succeeds is in its very thorough history of the Krautrock movement that preceded Kraftwerk. Indeed, nearly half of the film is talking about other bands such as Amon Duul, Can, Popol Vuh, Cluster, etc. This is all important in understanding how Krafwerk happened, but it actually almost eclipses the Kraftwerk content at times.
Also disappointing (although not surprising) is the lack of any interviews with Ralf or Florian. Karl Bartos is interviewed extensively, but I think most Kraftwerk enthusiasts have heard his perspective numerous times by now (since he seems to be the only member of the 'classic line-up' who will talk to press). The other interviews and commentary are from a variety of critics, musicians, and academics and actually get a bit long-winded and boring after awhile.
The ending is a bit odd, as well, skipping entirely over Electric Cafe and only briefly mentioning Tour de France Soundtracks and barely mentioning the band's reunion tour and concluding "Well, even geniuses run out of steam". It seems a very odd, down note to end on. That said, this is the first extensive documentary on Kraftwerk that I am aware of and it must've been quite a feat to get the info they DID get on such a reclusive group. Still, the whole thing feels like a missed opportunity to me.
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Flur occasionally gives interviews too, but bartos is the one that has been the most vocal.
Of course, the reason that R&F aren't interviewed is because R&F don't do interviews. I don't think they've done one since before Ralf's bike accident.
I didn't expect much from the documentary. Sounds like I'm guessing right. KW has spent so much time being cryptic and anonymous that there's just not the wealth of biographical information out there that there might be for, say, Depeche Mode.
Both Bussey's book and Flur's memoir are probably the most complete records of kraftwerkian biographical tidbits available.
Yeah, the movie comes across more like a career retrospective than a biography, which is what I guess I was really hoping for. It would perhaps be a good primer for someone unaware of Kraftwerk's importance, but I wanted to hear more about the band, their process, and experiences, not just why Computer World is a great album. I already KNOW that. heh But, as you point out, they are a reclusive lot, so perhaps the documentary I was hoping for can't really be made.
If someone wanted to do a documentary on A23 and Nerve Filter, including up into your work with 23db, would you be willing to open up about process and experience since you've been quite influential in your area of the electronic music nebula?
I think I've always been pretty open to answering questions when they arise, but I don't think my work is important enough to warrant a documentary by any stretch...
modest.
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