Decoder (film)

Last updated

Decoder
Decoder 1984 poster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMuscha
Written by
Produced by
  • Klaus Maeck
  • Muscha
  • Volker Schäfer
  • Trini Trimpop
Starring
CinematographyJohanna Heer
Edited by
  • Jonathon Braun
  • Klaus Maeck
  • Muscha
  • Volker Schäfer
  • Eva-Maria Will
Production
company
Fett Film
Distributed byFreunde der Deutschen Kinemathek
Release date
  • 19 February 1984 (1984-02-19)(West Germany) [1]
Running time
87 minutes
Country West Germany
Languages

Decoder is a 1984 West German film directed by Muscha. It is a cyberpunk and counter-cultural film loosely based on the writings of William S. Burroughs, who also acts in the film. [2]

Contents

Plot

The film follows Jaeger ("Hunter", played by Bill Rice), a government agent tasked with suppressing dissent. His efforts are disrupted when a musician (F.M. Einheit) discovers that replacing the calming background music at a burger shop with abrasive industrial music can spark riots, setting off a revolution.

Production

Decoder was made on a small budget and written by Muscha, Klaus Maeck, Volker Schäfer, and Trini Trimpop. Despite its limited resources, the production attracted a number of notable figures from the countercultural and industrial music scenes. The cast includes William S. Burroughs, Genesis P-Orridge, and Christiane Felscherinow. Bands whose music was featured in the film include Soft Cell, Psychic TV, Einstürzende Neubauten, and The The. [3]

Cast

Home media

The film was considered "oddly forgotten" and remained largely inaccessible for many years. [3] In 2019, it was re-released on Blu-ray and DVD by Vinegar Syndrome. [4]

See also

References

  1. "Декодер (1984) - КиноПоиск.ru" (in Russian). KinoPoisk. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  2. "Time Capsule of Almost Forgotten Films: Decoder (Muscha) [1984]". 12 June 2011.
  3. 1 2 ""Decoder" is a Forgotten Star-Studded Indie Thriller About Sonic Terrorism". Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  4. "Decoder". Vinegar Syndrome. Retrieved 10 August 2019.