Optical Sound (2005): cast, story & where to watch
2005 · Film · ★ 6
Released in 2005, Optical Sound is a music film directed by Mika Taanila, running about 6 minutes.
What it’s about. Do machines play music? Is there a difference between a dot matrix printer and a record turntable? Optical Sound, Taanila’s 2005 wide-screen interpretation of [The User]’s brutalist sound piece for an array of obsolete printers, depicts the devices ratcheting horizontally together in a stalled symphony, inkjets repeatedly blackening the same area on the page. It is not the blurring of man with machine that lies at the core of this film, but the blurring of the spaces that each has been traditionally obliged to occupy. We disappear into our data streams, which are everywhere and “nowhere” at the same time. (Ken Hollings)
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.0/10, Optical Sound has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Optical Sound page.
If you liked it. Fans of Optical Sound tend to enjoy Whiplash, Coco, Green Book and The Legend of 1900.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Optical Sound (2005)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Optical Sound change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Optical Sound worth watching?
- Optical Sound holds an audience score of 6.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- When was Optical Sound released?
- Optical Sound was released in 2005, with a runtime of about 6 minutes.