Decoder (film)

Decoder is a 1984 West German film directed by Muscha. It is a cyberpunk and counter-cultural film loosely based on the writings of William S. Burroughs, who also acts in the film.^[2]

Decoder
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Muscha
Written by	Klaus Maeck Muscha Volker Schäfer Trini Trimpop
Produced by	Klaus Maeck Muscha Volker Schäfer Trini Trimpop
Starring	Bill Rice F.M. Einheit Christiane F.
Cinematography	Johanna Heer
Edited by	Jonathon Braun Klaus Maeck Muscha Volker Schäfer Eva-Maria Will
Production company	Fett Film
Distributed by	Freunde der Deutschen Kinemathek
Release date	19 February 1984 (1984-02-19) (West Germany)[1]
Running time	87 minutes
Country	West Germany
Languages	German English Portuguese

Plot

The film follows Jaeger ("Hunter", played by Bill Rice), a government agent tasked with suppressing dissent. His efforts are disrupted when a musician (F.M. Einheit) discovers that replacing the calming background music at a burger shop with abrasive industrial music can spark riots, setting off a revolution.

Production

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.^[3]

Cast

• F.M. Einheit as F.M.
• Bill Rice as Jaeger
• Christiane F. as Christiana
• Berthold Bell as H-Burger trainer (credited as Britzhold Baron de Belle)
• Matthias Fuchs as H-Burger manager
• William S. Burroughs as Old Man
• Genesis P-Orridge as High Priest
• Ralf Richter

Home media

The film was considered "oddly forgotten" and remained largely inaccessible for many years.^[3] In 2019, it was re-released on Blu-ray and DVD by Vinegar Syndrome.^[4]

See also

• The Electronic Revolution by William S. Burroughs