play loud! productions is a Berlin-based record label, publishing and film production company founded in 1997 in New York by filmmakers Dietmar Post and LucIa Palacios. They are primarily known for their documentaries on music (Monks, Klangbad, Donna Summer) and politics (Franco’s Settlers, German Pop and Circumstance, Franco on Trial) in addition to fiction short films (Bowl of Oatmeal, Cloven Hoofed). Their films convey multiple perspectives on their subjects with in-depth conversations, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions. Like many writers, labels and musicians, play loud! releases their films on their own film and music label. In 2008 the filmmakers started working on a large archive project, the “play loud! (live) music series”, which is based on three precepts: Alan Lomax‘s work as an archivist and chronicler, the BBC radio sessions, and the work of Direct Cinema pioneers, such as the Maysles Brothers, Leacock, Wildenhahn and Pennebaker. Some of the live performances are filmed with only one camera in one continuous shot and without any edits. Some critics have dubbed it “minimalist filmed paintings/painted films”. Musicians who appear in the series include Die Regierung, Lydia Lunch, Philipp Petit, Faust, Locust Fudge, Floating di Morel, Camera, Dieter Moebius, Michael Rother, Guru Guru, Limpe Fuchs, Burnt Friedman, Jaki Liebezeit, Christy & Emily, Gebrüder Teichmann, FM Einheit, Hans-Joachim Irmler, Damo Suzuki, Ilpo Väisänen, SchneiderTM, Martin Rev and many more.