808 (film)

808 is a 2015 American documentary film directed by Alexander Dunn, written by Dunn and Luke Bainbridge, and produced by Alex Noyer, Dunn, Craig Kallman and Arthur Baker. It is narrated by Zane Lowe and documents the history and culture of the Roland TR-808, a drum machine that had a significant effect on hip hop and pop music.

808
Theatrical poster
Directed byAlexander Dunn
Produced by
Screenplay by
  • Luke Bainbridge
  • Alexander Dunn
Narrated byZane Lowe
Cinematography
  • Stuart Birchall
  • Claudio Rietti
Edited by
  • Alexander Dunn
  • Matthew Jarman
  • Stuart Birchall
Production
company
  • You Know Films
  • You Know Ltd.
  • Atlantic Films
Distributed by
Release date
  • March 13, 2015 (2015-03-13) (SXSW)
  • December 9, 2016 (2016-12-09) (Apple Music)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

808 premiered at South by Southwest (SXSW) on March 13, 2015. It was released on Apple Music exclusively on December 9, 2016, and was released for iTunes on December 16 by Atlantic Films.[2]

Cast

The film features appearances from Afrika Bambaataa, A Guy Called Gerald, Armand Van Helden, Arthur Baker, A-Trak, Beastie Boys, Bernard Sumner, Chris Barbosa, Chris Frantz, Damon Albarn, David and Stephen Dewaele, David Guetta, David Noller, Diplo, DJ Mr. Mixx, Fatboy Slim, Felix da Housecat, François Kevorkian, Goldie, Graham Massey, Hank Shocklee, Ian Lewis, Ikutaro Kakehashi, John Benitez, Jim Jonsin, Jimmy Jam, Jori Hulkkonen, Lady Tigra, Lil Jon, Man Parrish, Mike Butcher, Mr. Biggs, Papa Wheelie, Pharrell Williams, Phil Collins, Pretty Tony, Questlove, Remi Kabaka, Richie Hawtin, Rick Rubin, Stephen Morris, Strafe, T La Rock, Terry Lewis, The G.L.O.B.E., Tiga, Todd Terry, Tom Silverman and Tony Carrasco.[3] Notable omissions include the Egyptian Lover and Kurtis Mantronik, both of whom were unavailable to be interviewed at the time of the movie's production. It is narrated by Zane Lowe.

Production

According to an interview by Billboard, Alex Noyer noted that the film started production with Noyer, director Alexander Dunn and Arthur Baker heading to Winter Music Conference in March 2012. The idea for the film came to Noyer after a nostalgic discussion about 808 classics with Arthur Baker in late 2011 in London.[4] In October 2014, Alex Noyer's You Know Films, Atlantic Films and record producer and DJ Arthur Baker announced the film, as well as its soundtrack and remix album to be released as well by Big Beat/Atlantic Records.[5] On November 15, 2016, You Know Films and Atlantic Films, a division of Atlantic Records, announced the film's release through Apple Music as well as the release of a new trailer.[6][7]

Music
Main article: 808: The Music

The soundtrack for the film, 808: The Music, was released on November 25, 2016. It was promoted with a single, "Nothing but Trouble", on June 30, 2015.

Release

The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 13, 2015. It was released on Apple Music exclusively on December 9, 2016, where pre-orders for the film started the same day.[2] The film started a limited release on the same day at the Arena Cinema in Los Angeles.[8] It was released for iTunes on December 16, 2016.

Reception

The film holds a 100% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[9]

References
  1. "Atlantic Films Strikes Global Deal to Release Alex Moyer-produced Documentary "808" Exclusively on Apple Music" (Press release). Atlantic Records. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  2. Wuerthele, Mike (December 9, 2016). "Drum machine documentary '808: The Movie' now available on Apple Music, iTunes preorders start". AppleInsider. Retrieved December 10, 2016 – via Quiller Media.
  3. Daniel Kreps (October 15, 2014). "Exclusive: Phil Collins, Rick Rubin, Pharrell Extol '808' Drum Machine in New Doc". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  4. Buerger, Megan (March 9, 2015). "SXSW Preview: New Film Looks at the 808 Drum Machine -- 'The Rock Guitar of Hip-Hop'". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  5. "You Know Films, Atlantic Films, Arthur Baker Announce 808" (Press release). Yahoo! Finance. October 15, 2014.
  6. "808 Sets Exclusive Apple Music Premiere!" (Press release). Atlantic Records. November 15, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  7. "808 Film Available Next Month". Sonic Slate. November 16, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  8. Hardy, Ernest (December 8, 2016). "Art Doc of the Week | 808". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on December 9, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016 – via AtomicMedia.
  9. "808 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
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