What We Started

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2:15

What We Started

2018

1h 35m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

The history and the culture of electronic dance music.

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Tim Campbell

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Jul 20, 2018

Beyond the history lesson, the film adds a personal element by focusing on jockeys from two generations: British turntable legend Carl Cox and youth Dutch phenom Martin Garrix.

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Suzi Feay

Financial Times

Jul 6, 2018

4/5

The documentary follows Cox's winding down and Garrix's rise, along with an entertaining, if familiar, history of electronic dance music.

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Andrew Barker

Variety

Mar 24, 2018

What works in a nightclub set doesn't always work in a film, as electronic dance music documentary "What We Started" demonstrates.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 10, 2020

3/4

An illuminating and entertaining documentary.

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Bill Arceneaux

Neaux Reel Idea

Apr 4, 2020

3/5

It isn't punk or altogether terribly intriguing, but it is an entrance ramp to a world many have never visited.

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

Oct 30, 2019

Not only is What We Started a cultural retelling of the last 30 years of EDM, but also its effect on music and culture as a whole.

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Sean W

@seanwang.94 Aug 1, 2026

Any musician, any DJ, any edm/house music, anyone who grew up a raver - this is for you. Education and entertainment - masterful.

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Thomas W

@twilk_05 Jul 23, 2026

A classic, absolutely loved it.

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Alfie J

@alf05xx Jul 7, 2026

Super cool movie that is a really thorough dive and well woven story. Really educational but also entertaining.

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Rosa L

@rosa04hi Jun 26, 2026

An incredible documentary, beautifully told story of two artists from different generations and a thorough dive into dance music history. Total must watch

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Ben C

@bc002 Mar 19, 2026

Honestly an iconic cult classic for any dance music fan.

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Bert Marcus

Director

Cyrus Saidi

Director

Steve Angello

Actor

Carl Cox

Actor

Chip Eberhart

Actor

Martin Garrix

Actor

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What We Started: Trailer 1

2:15

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Synopsis

The history and the culture of electronic dance music.

Director: Bert Marcus, Cyrus Saidi
Producer: Bert Marcus, Cyrus Saidi, Cassandra Hamar Thornton, Lion Shirdan
Screenwriter: Bert Marcus, Cyrus Saidi
Distributor: Abramorama
Production Co: Bert Marcus Productions
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 23, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2018
Runtime: 1h 35m

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