Heaven 17: The Story of Penthouse and Pavement

About This Movie

Heaven 17: The Story of Penthouse and Pavement dives deep into the genesis of the UK electronic pop scene, not just as a genre but as a cultural reaction to the socio-economic landscape of late 70s Sheffield. It's fascinating to see Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, both art students, weaving together their sounds with early synthesizers, creating a sonic tapestry that felt entirely fresh. The pacing has this nice ebb and flow, blending personal anecdotes with historical context, giving it a genuine feel. You get a sense of the atmosphere back then—the gritty backdrop against which innovation thrived. The practical effects, while minimal, serve to highlight the raw creativity of the era. It's all about that infectious energy and how music can stem from hardship. Worth a look for anyone interested in the roots of electronic music.

In-depth interviews with band members · Historical context of late 70s Sheffield · Focus on early synth experimentation