Move Ya Body Documentary

In 1980s Chicago, house music was more than just a sound - it was a expression of black freedom and queer joy, born out of the city's underground dance clubs. The documentary Move Ya Body, directed by Elegance Bratton, captures the excitement of this moment, with a mix of archive footage, dramatic reconstructions, and interviews with key figures such as house music pioneer Vince Lawrence.

The film is part of the CINECITY festival, which presents the best in world cinema, and will be screened at the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts in Brighton on Sunday, 15 November 2026. Tickets are with the button beside the article. The documentary has received a score of 7.2/10 on IMDb and 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting its unique perspective on the music doc landscape.

The film has been praised for its ambitious scope, exploring the rise of house music from Chicago's underground scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and delving into the social and political context of the time. However, some viewers have noted that the film can feel overloaded, tackling too many themes and issues at once. Nevertheless, Move Ya Body is a celebration of the music and its legacy, and is sure to get audiences moving.