UHF | JULY - AUGUST 1998

in synthetic pleasures , filmaker iara lee explored the relationship between technology and entertainment, touching on such subjects as designer drugs and raving. her new film, modulations delves into the history of electronic music. " i was gonna start from kraftwerk on, but i realized this goes back to the futurist in the '20s," the director says. "it's not just a trend." lee, a 32-year-old who also operates the electronic label caipirinha, says she came to appreciate the way computers and samplers let to "the empowerment of kids-- i like the idea of little bedroom studios everywhere. i've always been interested in how technology affects perception," she continues, "as well as the ways technology enhances creativity." lee's next movieis an adaptation of a 19th century brazilian novel, a far different sort of challenge than modulations for which she interviewed over 100 musicians around the world. "one of the highlights was to talk to matt black from coldcut, who says this movement is not about analog or digital-- it's how you combine things."