Speaking in Code is a character-based documentary directed by Amy Grill about people's obsessions with the techno electronic music lifestyle and the effects on their lives.
It follows Modeselektor, the Wighnomy Brothers, Philip Sherburne, Monolake and David Day for three years as they attempt to grow in the techno community, as well as Grill's struggles to complete the film.
[1] Director Amy Grill follows a series of techno community figures (including her husband, David Day).
In doing so it forms six intertwined character studies, following their warehouse parties, international travel, risks, inventions, triumphs, and breakdowns.
These DJs, producers, promoters and industry heads didn’t know that they were being camera tested as potential main character for a vérité film.
Once the main subjects were established, the crew (usually just Grill, and Director of Photography, Scott Sans—who was still in college for most of the production) traveled on and off for three years following the ups and downs of them all.
[7] Via Kompakt, Tobias Thomas released a series of acclaimed[8] mix CDs, and Philip Sherburne, through his work for the tastemaking website Pitchfork Media, became the leading voice[9] in electronic music journalism.
"[26] Free quarterly European magazine Electronic Beats said Speaking in Code "is one of the first films that ventures to explain why so many people love this genre of music, in an intimate, almost philosophical manner.
"[27] German radio and website Byte.fm called it "impressive" and "well worth seeing"[28] French blog Chroniques Electroniques said it was "a very strange documentary" and "a surprising way to describe electronic music.
"[29] Electronic and hip-hop magazine URB called it "One of the most need-to-watch music docs in recent memory," and said the film is "worth watching more than once."
"[33] On June 16, 2010 music website Foxy Digitalis said: "For anyone interested in alternative lifestyles, this is as insightful a journey as Don Letts' Punk Rock Movie, Penelope Spheeris' Decline of Western Civilization films, and Ivan Král's Blank Generation in relating the UK, LA, and NYC punk scenes.
On March 4, 2010, Pitchfork Media ran a story in their Forkcast section which included a movie-related podcast from Boston DJ Baltimoroder.