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Koyaanisqatsi
1983 86 min United States of America 6+
★8.2
Documentary, Music
Director: Godfrey Reggio
Trailers
Description
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.
Budget:
$600,000
US Gross:
$1.72M
Worldwide:
$3.2M
Starring
Edward Asner
Actor
Pat Benatar
Actor
Jerry Brown
Actor
Awards
Berlin International Film Festival 1983
— Golden Bear
Key opinion
Koyaanisqatsi is a wordless, experimental documentary that contrasts the beauty of the natural world with the frantic, destructive pace of human industrialization. While many viewers regard it as an awe-inspiring, transcendental masterpiece of sight and sound, others dismiss it as an inaccessible, repetitive, or pretentious exercise.
| Cinematography | Ron Fricke's innovative cinematography uses time-lapse and slow-motion techniques to create a powerful visual contrast between untouched landscapes and urban chaos. | |
| Theme | The film functions as a wordless critique of modern life, effectively urging viewers to contemplate the environmental impact of human development. | |
| Score | Philip Glass's minimalist score is seen by many as a hypnotic, essential element that elevates the imagery, though some listeners find its repetitive nature grating or mismatched. | |
| Screenplay | The experimental, non-narrative structure is hailed by fans as a revolutionary sensory experience, while detractors criticize it for lacking substance or feeling like disjointed background filler. | |
| Accessibility | The film’s abstract, meditative approach appeals deeply to art-house enthusiasts but alienates general audiences looking for traditional plot-driven storytelling. |