A much-anticipated documentary exploring the origins of Detroit techno music is set to make its Motor City premiere.
“God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines” will screen Aug. 25 to kick off Big Sean’s fourth DON Weekend, a three-day slate of activities around town presented by the rapper’s Sean Anderson Foundation.
The documentary, directed by Detroit filmmaker Kristian R. Hill, made its world premiere at New York’s prestigious Tribeca Festival in June.
The Detroit red-carpet debut, presented by Freep Film Festival, will include simultaneous screenings on two theaters at the Michigan Science Center, along with a post-film Q&A. Free tickets for the Aug. 25 showings are available to the public at the fest website.
“The story of the rise — and struggles — of Detroit’s techno pioneers is essential viewing for anyone who cares about the music history of the Motor City — or turn-of-the-century music culture in general,” said Steve Byrne, Freep Film Festival’s executive director.
“The festival first met with the filmmakers about five years ago, when the movie was still in production, and we’ve been anticipating its arrival ever since. So we’re super excited to be part of a hometown premiere in the city where the music was born.”
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The movie is part of a busy DON (Detroit’s On Now) Weekend, launched by Big Sean in 2018 with a series of neighborhood events, forums and entrepreneurial experiences. His foundation has partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan since 2019.
This year’s edition will include the opening of Big Sean’s fourth Detroit recording facility for kids, this one at the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Highland Park campus. He has funded youth studios at two other Boys & Girls Clubs in the city, along with one at his high school alma mater Cass Tech.
Related: Big Sean has happy kids on his hands as he unveils studio at Boys & Girls Club in Detroit
DON Weekend will also feature an Aug. 27 block party at the Diehl Club on the city’s west side, including a celebrity kickball tournament, games and music.
That day will also present several panel discussions, including forums on mental health and Black men in fashion.
The block party and panels are free, but attendees must register in advance at Eventbrite.
Aug. 26 will bring an invite-only reception that will include Big Sean’s DON Awards, with honors handed out for Detroit Brand of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and others.
It follows the rapper’s emotional homecoming performance last month on Detroit’s riverfront.
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“After playing one of my all-time favorite shows at Detroit’s Mo Pop Festival a couple weeks ago, I can’t wait to return to the city and feel its incredible energy,” says Big Sean. “I’m constantly inspired by Detroit and the city’s beautiful people. It’s a blessing to be able to give back to the city that made me.”
“God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines,” executive-produced by Jennifer Washington and Shaka Senghor, documents the rise of techno in the 1980s at the hands of Black musicians such as Juan Atkins, Blake Baxter, Santonio Echols, Eddie Fowlkes, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson. Their Detroit-born sounds had global impact, helping set the stage for the flowering of electronic dance music.
The 90-minute film, in the works for 12 years, zeroes in on the six artists above and includes interviews with more than 30 techno artists and experts around the world. The title comes from a line spoken in the film by late Detroit DJ Mike Huckaby, giving a fanciful account of techno’s beginnings.
“The Michigan Science Center screening will provide an incredible opportunity to share the origins of techno with Detroit youth who will most benefit from learning the valuable musical history of their city,” Washington said in a statement.
A working cut of the film was screened as part of the 2018 Freep Film Fest.