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Music documentary

Sisters with Transistors (2021): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Sisters with Transistors (2021) movie poster

Sisters with Transistors is a 2021 music documentary directed by Lisa Rovner, starring Delia Derbyshire, Wendy Carlos and Laurie Spiegel. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes and earned $5,241 worldwide on a $500,000 budget. Critics gave it 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10.

IMDb rating
7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
97%
worldwide gross
$5.2K
Echo Score
81
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Sisters with Transistors (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 26m (86 min)
Director
Lisa Rovner
Genres
Music , Documentary
Original language
English
Budget
$500K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Sisters with Transistors About?

The premise of Sisters with Transistors without spoilers.

This electrifying documentary explores the lives and contributions of pioneering women in electronic music. Narrated by Laurie Anderson, the film highlights artists like Clara Rockmore and Éliane Radigue, who embraced the freedom and innovation of pushing sonic boundaries. Despite encountering sexism and skepticism, these visionary creators left a lasting impact on the music world, influencing everything from pop to avant-garde sounds.

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Cast & crew

Sisters with Transistors Cast

Delia Derbyshire leads the cast, with Wendy Carlos and Laurie Spiegel. Directed by Lisa Rovner; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Sisters with Transistors

· 6 more
Ratings

Sisters with Transistors Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Sisters with Transistors 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 81/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

81 /100

Sisters with Transistors Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Sisters with Transistors delivers a compelling tribute to pioneering women in electronic music through a blend of inventive structure and insightful interviews. The film’s precision-driven direction and thoughtful editing underscore the transformative impact of its subjects. Character portraits convey depth and emotional resonance, while the sensory design evokes the textures of early synthesizer experiments. Although the pacing occasionally feels deliberate to the point of dryness, the documentary maintains a coherent through-line and lasting engagement. In sum, it offers a rewarding exploration of its subject matter for engaged viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film employs an impressionistic visual style that aligns with its subject’s experimental ethos. Precise framing and measured editing provide clarity, while occasional dryness in pacing can interrupt momentum. Direction balances adventurous sequences with austerity, creating a coherent aesthetic that reflects the pioneering spirit of early electronic musicians.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the documentary offers nuanced portraits that highlight individual depth and collective impact. Intimate interviews reveal personal motivations and convey emotional authenticity without overstating drama. Subjects’ reflections establish connectivity with the audience, while the film’s thoughtful structure ensures consistent emotional resonance. Overall, the character focus enriches the historical narrative.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film adapts an impressionistic narrative that emphasizes thematic currents over chronological clarity. This approach offers originality and engages viewers seeking a reflective experience, though it can feel diffuse at times. Measured pacing supports the homage to early innovators, creating a logically coherent though occasionally contemplative progression.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When considering Sensory Experience, the documentary effectively evokes the sonic textures of early electronic music through archival recordings and well-integrated soundtrack choices. Sound design immerses the listener in analog synth timbres, while visual elements—such as archival footage and stylized lighting—reinforce the period atmosphere. Together, these elements create a cohesive audio-visual landscape that feels both authentic and evocative.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, Sisters with Transistors offers rewarding insights on subsequent viewings, particularly for those interested in music history. However, its deliberate pace and documentary format may limit its appeal for casual replays. While the in-depth interviews and thematic layers invite further reflection, the film remains primarily suited to focused viewing sessions.

Box office

Sisters with Transistors Box Office & Budget

Sisters with Transistors grossed $5,241 worldwide on a $500,000 budget.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.2K

International
$5.2K
Budget
$500K
Videos

Sisters with Transistors Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

SISTERS WITH TRANSISTORS (2021) - Electronic Music Laurie Anderson - HD Trailer - English Subtitles
  • Teaser Sisters With Transistors Teaser
  • Featurette Living Room Q&As: Sisters with Transistors Lisa Rovner, Laurie Spiegel, Hannah Peel, Matthew Herbert
Details

Sisters with Transistors Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Электросестры” and “Les héroïnes méconnues de la musique électronique”.

Also known as
  • Электросестры
  • Les héroïnes méconnues de la musique électronique
  • Sisters with Transistors - Die verkannten Heldinnen der elektronischen Musik
  • Электросёстры
  • 일렉트로니카 퀸즈 - 전자음악의 여성 선구자들
  • Електросестри
  • Sestry s tranzistory

Seen Sisters with Transistors?

FAQ

Sisters with Transistors FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Sisters with Transistors, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Sisters with Transistors?

Sisters with Transistors runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).

When was Sisters with Transistors released?

Sisters with Transistors was released on April 23, 2021.

Who directed Sisters with Transistors?

Sisters with Transistors was directed by Lisa Rovner.

Who is in the cast of Sisters with Transistors?

Sisters with Transistors stars Delia Derbyshire, Wendy Carlos and Laurie Spiegel, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Sisters with Transistors make at the box office?

Sisters with Transistors grossed $5,241 worldwide on a budget of $500,000.

How is Sisters with Transistors rated?

Sisters with Transistors has 7.4/10 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Sisters with Transistors have a post-credit scene?

No. Sisters with Transistors has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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