Conny Plank: The Potential of Noise

Conny Plank: The Potential of Noise is an evocative and engrossing 2017 documentary that delves into the enigmatic life and hugely influential career of German music producer Conny Plank. Directed by Reto Caduff and Stephan Plank, the son of the subject, this film blends heartfelt personal narrative with insights into the vibrant and volatile world of music production in the latter half of the 20th century.

Conny Plank emerged in the post-war German music scene and rapidly built a name for himself as a boundary-pushing audio alchemist. His unique approach to soundscaping and producing music catapulted him into legendary status among musicians and fans alike. Plank's genre-bending exploration helped to nurture and shape the nascent sounds of Krautrock, New Wave, and electronica. The movie features contributions from several high-profile musicians who worked with Plank, including pop revolutionaries such as Devo, the ethereal Eurythmics, and rock stalwarts Scorpions.

A standout feature of the film is its intimate perspective, with Stephan Plank at the helm. Enabling an exploration of Plank's work and legacy through the eyes of his son allows for an unusually intimate depiction of a man who managed to maintain a degree of mystique despite his prominent position in the music industry. Stephan's fond but clear-eyed recollections provide an open and honest portrayal of Conny Plank, the father, and Conny Plank, the pioneering producer.

Crucially, the documentary does more than recount a list of Plank's achievements or provide a standard biography. Instead, it examines the ideas and inspirations that shaped Plank as an artist and as a habitual rule-breaker. Through archival footage, interviews, and recording studio revisits, the audiences learn how Plank broke boundaries in music with his innovative use of technology, his bold reinterpretation of sound, and an intuitive sense of new possibilities – the 'potential of noise.'

The film capitalizes on the treasure trove of footage left by Plank himself, gifting audiences with a unique glimpse into the heyday of experimental music. The visual pacing of the documentary mimics Plank's production style. Patient and focused, it allows room for the story to develop at its own undulating rhythm, as a Conny Plank-produced track might.

The soundtrack, as expected, is an immersive treat, featuring a well-curated selection of Plank's expansive discography. However, the film doesn't only depend on our nostalgia for the music of these heady times. The documentary's broader scope, exploring the personal life of an ingenious icon - his childhood, his perspective on working with various artists, his bouts with illness, and ultimately, his premature death, make it a profoundly empathetic exploration of a remarkable life.

The docufilm also offers nuanced insights into the collaborative process of music production. It showcases Plank's unique ability to both nurture and provoke the artists he worked with, fostering creativity and pushing for innovative soundscapes. Musicians like the members of Devo, Eurythmics, and Scorpions pay homage to his influence, underscoring the lasting impact he had on their music and careers.

While it would be easy to sensationalize such a storied life, the filmmakers have strived for a grounded and authentic depiction of Plank's persona, ideas, and work ethics, all of which presented an undeniable influence on popular music during an era of remarkable transformation. A truly compelling watch, Conny Plank: The Potential of Noise is a tribute to the man who manipulated sound to create music that was decades ahead of its time. His pioneering spirit is explored and immortalized in a manner that does justice to the man and his impact on music.

To summarise, Conny Plank: The Potential of Noise is an intimate, engrossing, and beautifully crafted tribute to one of the most significant and innovative figures in the world of music production. This poignant exploration of the life and work of Conny Plank is a must-watch for any music enthusiast, history buff, or fan of well-crafted documentary films. Whether you're already a fan of Plank's work or new to his world, this film is likely to leave you deeply moved and more knowledgeable about a hidden figure behind some of the most influential music of the 20th century.