Move Ya Body: The Birth of House

Robert Daniels3.5

I love how catty and messy this was.

Matt Neglia2.5

Elegance Bratton's MOVE YA BODY: THE BIRTH OF HOUSE takes a look at House music’s Chicago roots through archival footage and lively interviews but it overall suffers from messy editing and a lacking narrative. While it effectively reclaims the genre’s origins and provides valuable context, it lacks depth and the kind of formal energy the music itself gives off. So conventionally told that the most surprising element was when I saw Hillary Clinton executive produced this during the end credits. Wasn’t expecting that.

elliotroberts4.0

Loved this! The origins of House music have always been hotly debated and this doco lays it all out on the table.Verifying how the ‘Disco Sucks’ movement was one that was always rooted in racism and homophobia, and this film shows you just how insidious it could get. Made me so mad, especially because the ‘rockers’ were just championing a genre that came from equivalent queer, black artists 20 years prior.“Black bodies in motion are never without consequence.”This music has always provided a release to pressure and oppression and I left the cinema feeling indebted to that cause.Seen as part of MIFF ‘25