Koyaanisqatsi
Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi

1983
Movie
86 min
English

Takes us to locations all around the US and shows us the heavy toll that modern technology is having on humans and the earth. The visual tone poem contains neither dialogue nor a vocalized narration: its tone is set by the juxtaposition of images and the exceptional music by Philip Glass.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic87/100
Google Users92%
Director: Godfrey ReggioGenres: Documentary, Experimental, Nature

Plot Summary

A visually stunning and thought-provoking film that explores the relationship between humanity and nature through a series of epic, wordless sequences. It contrasts the beauty and power of the natural world with the accelerating pace and overwhelming impact of modern, industrialized civilization. The film uses striking cinematography and a powerful, iconic score to create a meditative and often unsettling experience. It offers no narration or explicit message, inviting viewers to draw their own conclusions about our planet's trajectory.

Critical Reception

Koyaanisqatsi was met with critical acclaim for its groundbreaking visual style, ambitious scope, and powerful musical score. While its lack of traditional narrative was noted, many praised its unique approach to documentary filmmaking and its profound commentary on contemporary life. It has since become a cult classic and a landmark in experimental cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its breathtaking visual artistry and innovative non-narrative structure.
  • The film's powerful and evocative score by Philip Glass is considered an integral part of its impact.
  • Some found the lack of dialogue and explicit message alienating, while others lauded its meditative and philosophical qualities.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly appreciate Koyaanisqatsi for its awe-inspiring visuals and unique, impactful presentation of environmental and societal themes. Many highlight its power to provoke thought and discussion about humanity's place in the world, though some find its abstract nature challenging.

Fun Fact

The title 'Koyaanisqatsi' is Hopi for 'crazy life', 'life in turmoil', 'life out of balance', or 'a state of different life that calls for another way of living'.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

In the Hopi language, this means a mess or a melée and that’s a pretty good description of this ultimate in observational documentaries. It starts and finishes showing us some of the most stunning and striking natural phenomena from the Nor...
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**For the general public, this film is uninteresting. However, it will have merits if displayed within the most correct context.** I've heard of this film as a documentary, but I honestly don't know if Godfrey Reggio really wanted to doc...
Peter McGinn

Peter McGinn

This is an art film of sorts, eschewing dialogue or narration or a recognizable plot for a visual and musical banquet of images and scenes. So if you are into art films (or want to appear like you are), this is the film for you. The phot...