What We Started

What We Started is a compelling 2017 documentary that delves into the depths of the global techno-house and dance music industry, featuring industry legends and modern luminaries like Steve Angello, Carl Cox, and Chip Eberhart, among many others. A brilliantly crafted and narratively driven piece of storytelling, the film seeks to bridge the gap between the misunderstood history of electronic music and its radical impact on the global music scene.

Directed by Bert Marcus and Cyrus Saidi, What We Started opens strong, immediately immersing spectators in performances of iconic DJs at globally renowned music festivals. With strobe lights, booming bass, and the sight of thousands of fans losing themselves in the rhythm, the film pulls you into the intoxicating world of electronic dance music (EDM).

What We Started mainly orbits around two key protagonists, DJ Carl Cox, a dance music veteran of over 30 years, and Martin Garrix, a young sensation who, at the tender age of 17, skyrockets to global fame. By following both their parallel and intertwined journeys, the film effectively showcases the transition, evolution, and revolution of the EDM domain over the decades.

We are enthralled as we watch Carl Cox, a purveyor of the old school rave culture who has strived to keep the original spirit of EDM alive despite the forces that want to commercialize and commoditize every element of the music. Throughout the film, he shares fascinating anecdotes about his years playing in illegal underground clubs and warehouses, his experiences with the initial backlash against the genre, and what it took to establish a foothold in an industry continually resistant to change.

On the other side of the spectrum, we take a glimpse into the journey of Martin Garrix, who represents the new age of electronic music, propelled by social media and massive festival gigs. Despite being a stark contrast to DJs like Cox who grew from the grassroots level, Garrix's story doesn't lack substance. His journey to becoming one of the world's leading DJs, despite hyperbole and harsh criticism from those who back the traditional DJ culture, is an equally fascinating and emotional journey.

Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia and Chip Eberhart also feature prominently in the film, contributing to the storyline and enriching the narrative with their experiences and perspectives. They, along with several other industry figures, present their views on the rapid rise of EDM, providing a critical, balanced, and multifaceted exploration of the genre's emergence into the mainstream.

What We Started exhibits a unique quality of being more than just a historical recounting or a passion project for EDM fans. With pulsating visuals, engaging storytelling techniques and genuine, heartfelt interactions between the characters, it manages to capture the interest of even the casual viewer. The themes extend beyond music, touching upon cultural movements, the hustle of fame, and the quest for creative authenticity amidst commercial demand.

The narrative seamlessly weaves between intimate, behind-the-scenes footage, stunning visuals of live performances and interviews, capturing the heart, soul, and rhythm of this global phenomenon. It not only showcases the thrill and eventual recognition of the EDM genre but also explores the struggles, criticism, and miscommunication often overlooked in the industry's tumultuous history.

What We Started is an ode to the joys, highs, lows, and revolution of the electronic music realm. It serves as a captivating chronicle that resonates deep within both seasoned patrons and newcomers of the genre. The film attains a balance, highlighting the complexities and contradictions of the EDM industry, and the ceaseless passion that drives its artists forward, thus effectively drawing the viewer into this pulsating vortex of music, movement, and emotion.

Despite being based on the electronic music industry, the documentary has a universal appeal, examining the fundamentals of how movements begin, evolve, clash with mainstream, commercial interests, and yet somehow, endure and thrive. The film has rich themes of perseverance, innovation, and the constant interplay between tradition and revolution.

Overall, What We Started is an electrifying, in-depth, and immersive journey through the exhilarating world of electronic dance music. It's a vibrant, upbeat, and passionately-created piece that will capture the imagination of music lovers everywhere, regardless of their personal tastes, and leave them yearning for more beats to dance to.