‘ENO’: A Generative Documentary that Changes with Each Screening

Over the last 50 years, British artist Brian Eno, has altered the way music is made. Defying characterization, this self described “sonic landscaper” has transported audiences to uncharted, aural territories with his bold experimentation in creativity and technology. First, as an original member of the band Roxy Music, then forging new ground with ambient music, and adding his touch to the work of some of the most important artists of our time, David Bowie, Talking Heads, and Devo, to name a few, Brian Eno is in a league of his own.

Refusing to be defined, and with an apparent aversion towards appearing in documentaries, Eno had historically avoided the genre, until now.

The artist finally gave the green light to self-taught filmmaker Gary Hustwit, best known for his beautiful 2007 documentary, “Helvetica.” The two had collaborated when Eno contributed music to Hustwit’s 2018 film, “Rams.”

Hustwit had pitched Eno the idea of a documentary that applied the concept of generative music, in which a set of sequencing rules creates endless, non-repetitive, permeations of sound. It was the very concept that Eno first used to make the groundbreaking ambient album, “Music for Airports,” in 1978. Hustwit teamed with tech wizard, Brendan Dawes, to develop a software program that reconfigures the content each time the film is shown so that no two screenings are the same.

Given that the film is sourced with hundreds of hours of interviews with Eno, his personaI footage, and previously unreleased music, it is sure to be a feast for the eyes and ears.

Interestingly, just as Hustwit’s “Helvetica” was poetically directed to reflect the font’s neutral, bold and elegant feel, the structure of ENO perfectly mirrors its subject’s singular, iterative creative process. This type of fidelity to a theme could just be Hustwit’s signature style.

In the same way that Brian Eno has changed the way modern music is made, “ENO,” the film, will change the way movies are experienced.

Eno had its World Premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, and is currently screening at special live events worldwide.

It comes to Miami for a one night screening at O Cinema on Thursday, Oct. 10. The screening will include a recorded question and answer with the director immediately following the film.

What: ENO (Documentary Film)
When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10 
Where: O’Cinema 1130 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tickets: Adults – $12.50,  seniors (62+ years old w/ valid ID) – $10.00, Students & Teachers (w/ valid ID) – $10.00, Children (12 years old & under) – $10.00, Military (w/ valid ID) – $10.00, O Cinema Members – $8.50

All Miami Beach residents get 20% off Adult tickets on the FIRST MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH @ O Cinema South Beach! (w/ valid proof of residency)

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