Move Ya Body – The Birth of House

Move Ya Body – The Birth of House

Saturday 27th of June 8:00pm

ELEGANCE BRATTON | USA | 2025 | 88"

Out of the underground dance clubs on the South Side of Chicago, a group of friends turn a new sound into a global movement.

In the chaos of Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park, a teenage usher named Vince Lawrence witnessed the fiery backlash against disco—a sound that defined freedom and pride. Undeterred by the hostility, Vince used his earnings to buy a synthesizer, setting in motion a journey that would change music forever. Venturing into the underground sanctuary of The Warehouse, where Frankie Knuckles spun revolutionary sounds, Vince teamed up with Jesse Saunders to form Z Factor, a scrappy collective of visionaries who captured the pulse of Chicago’s underground on wax. Their track, On and On, became the first recorded house music anthem, sparking a movement that transformed a local DIY culture into a global phenomenon. From those gritty Chicago streets to festival stages worldwide, Vince’s story is an electrifying testament to how a dream, born in the ashes of rejection, ignited a genre that continues to unite and liberate people across the globe.

“This film aims to shine a light on the pioneers of house music—individuals from various backgrounds who have shaped a vibrant part of American culture. They may not always be recognized, but their impact is profound. It matters where music comes from and who creates it. Today, we face challenges that threaten to silence voices once more. "Move Ya Body" shows that you don’t have to be famous to make a mark on the world. Vince and his friends prove that everyday people can achieve amazing things. As we present this film, I hope viewers will connect with the universal language of music and dance. This is not just a film; it’s a reminder that through creativity and community, we can come together and celebrate what makes us human.”

CREDITS

DIRECTOR:
Elegance Bratton

PRODUCERS:
Chester Algernal Gordon
Elegance Bratton

EDITORS:

Kristin Sprague
Jeremy Stulberg, ACE

MUSIC SUPERVISORS:
Bonnie Greenberg
David Helfant

AWARDS

Winner of IDFA FIPRESCI Award 2024

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

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