About the film

In the 1990s, everybody was playing Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros. on their Gameboys. Almost two decades later, some curious minds dusted off the machine to turn it into a musical instrument. And now they’re playing in tiny clubs for excited crowds, using their old game console as a turntable. The 8-bit tones recall the sounds of yesteryear, but they have been repackaged into something radically new. In this infectiously enthusiastic documentary, we hear a rapid succession of quotes from the stars of what is now called “chip music”. Together, they tell the inside story of the rise of the music and its significance. It’s not just about a nostalgic longing for their teen years, but it’s also a rebellion against the idea that newer and more complex technology makes life better. It’s precisely because of its limitations that 8-bit creativity can attain such heights. The story is sprinkled with lively animations, hilarious archive footage and, most of all, thrilling music.