Escapade Media Inks Raft of Sales for Devolution: A DEVO Theory

Escapade Media has secured a slew of deals for the new factual film Devolution: A DEVO Theory, from Side B Films and Dead Heart Films.

SKY New Zealand has acquired the documentary for its SKY Arts Channel, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has bought it for ABC TV Plus. Rai Radiotelevisione Italiana has also acquired the film for its suite of channels.

In the late 1970s, a group of University students were concerned about where the world was heading, believing it was on a downward spiral and that society was no longer evolving. What the world was going through, according to them, was de-evolution. Over 40 years later, the documentary asks if DEVO was right. The factual special shares intimate insights from DEVO themselves and follows the launch of their music video memorial to 40 years of human decay, “Beautiful World 2.” DEVO, short for De-evolution, had a signature synth sound and confrontational lyrics, challenging musical norms. They are most remembered for the 1980 hits “Whip it” and “Freedom of choice.”

DEVO said: “With the alternate reality nightmare we are experiencing due to the current pandemic, climate crisis featuring a planet on fire, the retreat of reason in favor of illegitimate authority and Western Culture in decline is there any doubt that De-evolution is real? I think not! The truth is in your face.”

Dom Giorgi said: “DEVO’s music is iconic. Their message is real. They will continue to inspire a new generation.”

Adrian Faure said: “Producing this was an eerie process. Going through the archive vision, it was clear that what DEVO said in the 1980s was the same as what they’re saying now, and unfortunately, they seem so alarmingly accurate at the moment, ‘We’re all DEVO!’”