User Reviews

With Amplify Her, Nicole Sorochan and Ian Mackenzie have crafted a fascinating documentary exploring the uniquely individual perspectives of seven female electronic music artists operating in a historically male-dominated landscape. And while they all share a desire to be afforded only the opportunities their elite and disparate skillsets command, their observations, beliefs, and rationales for wanting to get there are highly nuanced from one artist to the next.

There's a moment in Amplify Her when the fascinating and insightful Blondtron is performing at a festival. Behind her, a series of festival organizers (all male) and other festival artists (yep, all male) are aggressively starting to push in on her stage show during a set that she's already shortened under immense coercive pressure. Soon, somehow it's Blondtron - after verbally defending her right to perform without infringement - that's been removed from the stage and from the festival as a whole (tough guys gotta put the little woman in her place, apparently). It's a profoundly agitating yet totally engrossing thing to watch. As a viewer, you might be interested to know that Amplify Her was shot before #MeToo was given a name and a set of values to wear that can indeed be wonderfully empowering and equalizing, but not without some arguable homogenization as a perceived side-effect. Would these male cretins have behaved the same way today - on- or off-camera - now that the spotlight has been rightfully refocused to better include the talents and plights of women? Are females in the music field now getting the opportunities their individual gifts always should've entitled them to? And if so, are they getting them because the art is appropriately being heralded, or because festivals are crudely wishing to commodify these societal shifts? Sounds like we need a sequel to find out!

It's hard to escape the notion that while Sorochan and Mackenzie may have set out only to create a film championing the incredible gifts of female electronic music artists in a male-entrenched world, what they've stumbled on here is much, much bigger: Through our society's transformation since its filming, the female artists in Amplify Her are now prophetic identities in hindsight; kind of sort of full-blown heroic shatterers of that ornery, no-longer-only-male-curated glass ceiling. There is still so much work to do out there, but as we look back on the short-term and give thanks to the faces and names that got us to this more evolved space, Amplify Her has become nothing short of absolutely critical viewing.

The directors found some really incredible characters to feature in the film, with such diverse backgrounds. Compelling storyline, I was laughing one moment and tearing up the next. Loved the blend with the animation, so beautifully done. I understand the film was mainly brought to life by female creatives (animators, illustrators, etc) so it's really empowering women in the arts both on screen and behind screen!

Amplify Her is a remarkable new documentary about several female electronic dance music artists. I couldn't look away. The film is incredibly interesting and well crafted by its directors -- Nicole Sorochan and Ian MacKenzie. Amplify Her moves seamlessly from interviews to concert footage to animated sequences. I'm always a sucker for animated sequences in documentaries. They just seem to grab my attention and add a dynamic layer to documentaries that can sometimes otherwise feel a bit too straightforward and routine. As for the story content, it is quite compelling. The stories of these women artists are both riveting and feel important. This kind of a film is truly refreshing and necessary today. If you're into EDM, powerful stories about women, or documentaries in general then I think you should check out Amplify Her!

What a stunning film! This was one terrific film from beginning to end. I loved how it was shot! I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of the DJ's. I found myself really getting into their personal lives and rooting for them. It was easy to do because they were so well developed by the Directors by Ian Mackenzie and Nicole Sorochan. This is what indie filmmaking is all about to me. There was never a dull moment. A big thumbs up from me.

This movie is an incredible amplification of feminine artist voices, illustrating many facets of women's experiences in the electronic music industry-experiences that are surprisingly universal. And don't you dare forget to CRANK THE VOLUME and indulge in frenetic, visceral beats that will inspire your own creativity.

These stories connect like no other. They uplift and resonate, and remind you that these are the everyday things we face and fight. PLUS, the sound is what keeps you on your toes and makes you want to move, move towards a better place.

This is a one-of-a-kind film that is worth watching. The artistic showcasing of female DJs and musicians will leave you wanting to get the soundtrack and play it on repeat.

Energizing, inspiring and beautiful film, with strong female characters. The directors found dynamic and complex stories of women leading the way. They help us all understand how the world could be a different place if only *everyone* felt safe enough to fully explore their creative expression.

A great watch for anyone who enjoys electronic music, female empowerment, and the exploration of music and dance as it effects our culture.

I've now seen this film 3 times over the past 2 years at features in western canada. I always pick up on new wonderful things i didn't notice before. The stories of the girls' lives are engaging and I enjoyed each one. The animation aspect is amazing as well. A lot of my colleagues in the art and music industry have brought their young daughters to this which has been very well received. It's also nice to see it available on Amazon now which is a nice surprise. Recommended!

A beautifully filmed eye-opening exploration into the world of women producing electronic music. To me, the dj scene always seemed like one of the more progressive groups for empowering women, but that doesn't seem to stretch into the on-stage aspects of the scene. Highly suggested watching if you love electronic music and/or compelling stories.

I've now watched this three times, I highly recommend it and would watch again. Vulnerable, real, and powerful!