1997

Thank You for The Music – A Film about Muzak

January 1, 1970

160 million people around the world listen to anonymous background music, i.e. muzak, every day. Muzak is ”scientifically researched” urban background music. It has a schizophrenic function: it is supposed to be unnoticed and as undramatic as possible. At the same time, it should be stimulative enough, to increase the efforts of workers and shoppers. It is meant to be heard, but not listened to. The film resembles muzak in style. It combines and mixes different types of material (film, video, computer animation…) to underline muzak’s Esperanto-like nature. There is no strict storyline; music plays the key role throughout the film. In fact, many scenes are minimalist music videos. Their visual look is true to muzak’s econimical, wryly surrealistic and sterile spirit.

watch the trailer

Selected screenings:

  • See The Sound / Soundtrack Cologne, Germany, 2014
  • Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany, 2014
  • Spruth Magers London, UK, 2006
  • New Forms Festival, Den Haag, The Netherlands, 2001
  • Lovebytes Festival, Sheffield, UK, 2001
  • Split Festival of New Film, Croatia, 1998
  • Visions du Réel, Nyon, Switzerland, 1998
  • 45th Sydney Film Festival, Australia, 1998
  • IDFA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1997
  • Uppsala Internationella Kortfilmfestival, Sweden, 1997
  • XXVII International Short Film Festival, Tampere, Finland,  1997