Decoder (film)

Decoder is a 1984 West German cyberpunk film directed by Muscha. It is considered a cult classic, particularly within the industrial music and hacking communities. The film stars FM Einheit of Einstürzende Neubauten, Genesis P-Orridge of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, William Rice, and Christiane Felscherinow, known for her autobiographical book Christiane F.

The film's plot revolves around a junk shop worker, known only as FM (played by FM Einheit), who discovers that Muzak played in fast food restaurants is a form of mind control used to pacify the masses. He finds that by playing recordings of Burroughs' cut-up readings over the Muzak, he can disrupt the subliminal messaging and incite rebellion. This leads to a cat-and-mouse game between FM and the authorities, who are represented by a shadowy organization seeking to maintain control.

Themes explored in Decoder include media manipulation, social control, the power of sound and information, and the potential for individuals to resist oppressive systems. The film is visually distinctive, featuring a low-budget, gritty aesthetic with elements of Dadaism and punk culture. It incorporates found footage, experimental sound design, and surreal imagery.

Decoder draws heavily from the works of William S. Burroughs, particularly his cut-up technique and theories about language as a virus. Burroughs himself appears briefly in the film via archival footage. The film’s influence can be seen in subsequent cyberpunk works and in the development of media art and activism.