Decoder (film)
A 1984 West German cyberpunk film by Muscha.
Decoder is a 1984 West German film directed by Muscha, blending cyberpunk and countercultural themes. It draws loosely from the writings of William S. Burroughs, who also appears in the film. The plot centers on Jaeger (played by Bill Rice), a government agent working to quell unrest. His mission is upended when a musician (F.M. Einheit) realizes that swapping a burger shop’s soothing background music for harsh industrial noise can trigger riots, igniting a revolution.
The film was produced on a small budget, with the script written by Muscha, Klaus Maeck, Volker Schäfer, and Trini Trimpop. Despite limited resources, it drew notable figures from countercultural and industrial music circles. The cast includes William S. Burroughs, Genesis P-Orridge, and Christiane Felscherinow. Music from Soft Cell, Psychic TV, Einstürzende Neubauten, and The The appears in the film.
Long considered “oddly forgotten,” the film was largely unavailable for years. In 2019, Vinegar Syndrome re-released it on Blu-ray and DVD.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Muscha
- Writer
- Klaus Maeck · Muscha · Volker Schäfer · Trini Trimpop
- Starring
- Bill Rice · F.M. Einheit · Christiane F.
- Cinematography
- Johanna Heer
- Editing
- Jonathon Braun / Klaus Maeck / Muscha / Volker Schäfer / Eva-Maria Will
- Studio
- Fett Film
- Distributor
- Freunde der Deutschen Kinemathek
- Runtime
- 87 minutes
- Country
- West Germany
- Language
- German · English · Portuguese
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Decoder was made on a small budget and written by Muscha, Klaus Maeck, Volker Schäfer, and Trini Trimpop. Despite its limited resources, the production attracted a number of notable figures from the countercultural and industrial music scenes. The cast includes William S. Burroughs, Genesis P-Orridge, and Christiane Felscherinow. Bands whose music was featured in the film include Soft Cell, Psychic TV, Einstürzende Neubauten, and The The.
Reader's Guide
Decoder is significant as a cyberpunk and counter-cultural film that directly engages with themes of control and resistance through sound. Its use of industrial music and involvement of figures like William S. Burroughs and Genesis P-Orridge ties it to the underground music and art scenes of the 1980s. The film was considered 'oddly forgotten' and remained largely inaccessible for many years until its 2019 re-release on Blu-ray and DVD by Vinegar Syndrome, which brought it renewed attention. Its legacy lies in its fusion of Burroughs' ideas with the emerging industrial music aesthetic, making it a cult artifact of its era.
Did You Know?
- The film is loosely based on the writings of William S. Burroughs, who also acts in it.
- The cast includes Genesis P-Orridge and Christiane Felscherinow.
- The film was re-released on Blu-ray and DVD in 2019 by Vinegar Syndrome.
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