Watch A Life In Waves

A Life In Waves is a 2017 documentary film that explores the life and work of electronic music pioneer Suzanne Ciani. Directed by Brett Whitcomb, the film features interviews with Ciani herself as well as notable figures in the music industry, including Peter Baumann, Don Buchla, and Dorit Chrysler. The film traces Ciani's life from her early days as a classical pianist to her successful career as a composer and synthesizer designer in the electronic music scene of the 1970s and 1980s. It explores her revolutionary work with the Buchla modular synthesizer, which allowed her to create unique sounds and textures that had never been heard before. Her music has been described as a blend of classical and electronic, featuring lush soundscapes and haunting melodies.

The film is structured around Ciani's own personal journey, with interviews and archival footage interwoven with her reflections on her life and career. It also examines the broader cultural and technological shifts that shaped the electronic music scene during the period in which Ciani was active, including the rise of new musical forms such as ambient and minimalism.

Throughout the film, Ciani emerges as a groundbreaking figure who defied gender stereotypes and pushed the boundaries of what was possible in electronic music. She talks candidly about the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and about the creative processes that guided her work.

But as the film makes clear, Ciani's legacy extends far beyond her contributions to electronic music. Throughout her career, she has been an advocate for new technologies and an innovator in the world of sound design, contributing to everything from advertising jingles to video game soundtracks.

Ultimately, A Life In Waves is a tribute to an artist who has dedicated her life to creating beauty and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. It is a celebration of the power of music to connect people across cultural and technological barriers, and of the enduring creativity and spirit of one of its most inspiring figures.

A Life In Waves is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.