Project Detail

Devo

Synopsis

Acclaimed filmmaker Chris Smith (Wham!, Fyre, 100 Foot Wave, and Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond) captures the gloriously radical spirit that is DEVO – a rare band founded by a philosophy; a Dada experiment of high art meets low, hellbent on infiltrating American popular culture. Through never-before-seen archival and interviews with Mark Mothersbaugh, Bob Mothersbaugh, and Jerry Casale, Devo relishes in the highs, lows, surreal moments and incredible performances of a 50-year career, embracing the spectacle of the band from their lo-fi beginnings to pioneers of the music video in the early days of MTV’s cultural dominance.
Band members are open with their memories and archives, charting their origins as Kent State University arts students shaped by the activism of the late 1960s. Following the 1970 massacre on their campus, the band’s concept of cultural “De-Evolution” turned from satirical humor to urgent social commentary, and what began as subversive counterprogramming to KSU’s 1973 arts festival would go on to warn of, comment on, and reflect back the absurdism of the late 20th century. Finding mainstream success at the height of 1980s consumerism, Devo soundtracked the De-Evolution they’d long predicted – and influenced a 21st century they’d have never believed.
Official Selection Sundance Film Festival 2024 - Premieres - World premiere

Details

Year
2024
Type of project
Features
Running time
93 min
Director
Chris Smith
Producer
Danny Gabai, Chris Smith, Anita Greenspan, Chris Holmes
Co-Producer
Sam Epstein
Executive Producer
Mandy Chang, Stuart Souter, William Kennedy, Charles Cohen, Kathy Rivkin Daum, Stacy Smith, Stuart Goldstein, Vanessa Case
Editor
Joey Scoma
Director of Photography
Chris Smith
Composer
Mark Mothersbaugh
Graphics & Animation
Stefan Nadelman

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

UK, US co-production

A Library Films/VICE Studios production in association with Mutato Entertainment, presented by BMG, Undeniable (a Fremantle label), Warner Music Group

Sales Company

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