#640: REGGIO, Godfrey: Koyaanisqatsi (1983)

THE QATSI TRILOGY {Spine #639}

REGGIO, Godfrey (United States)
Koyaanisqatsi [1983]
Spine #640
Blu-ray


An unconventional work in every way, Godfrey Geggio's Koyaanisqatsi was nevertheless a sensation when it was released in 1983. This first work of The Qatsi Trilogy wordlessly surveys the rapidly changing environments of the Northern Hemisphere, in an astonishing collage created by the director, cinematographer Ron Fricke, and composer Philip Glass. It shuttles viewers from one jaw-dropping vision to the next, moving from images of untouched nature to others depicting human beings' increasing dependence on technology. Koyaanisqatsi's heterodox methods (including hypnotic time-lapse photography) make it a look at our world from a truly unique angle.

86 minutes
Color
5.1 Surround
1:85:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2012
Director

Godfrey Reggio was 43 when he directed Koyaanisqatsi.

Other Reggio films in the Collection:

#641: Powaqqatsi (1988)
#642: Noqoyqatsi (2002)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Forty-page booklet featuring essays by Scott MacDonald, John Rockwell, and Bill McKibben.

Commentary

None.

Essence of Life

An interview program with Reggio and composer Glass on Koyaanisqatsi.

Interview 1

With cinematographer Ron Fricke.

Television spots

And an interview with Reggio relating to his 1970s multimedia privacy campaign in New Mexico.

Early demo version

Of Koyaanisqatsi with a partial scratch soundtrack featuring poet Allen Ginsburg, along with an introduction by Reggio.

Interview 2

With Reggio about the film’s original visual concept, with behind-the-scenes footage.

Trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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