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Philip Glass

An art-house circuit sensation, this feature-length documentary is visually arresting and possesses a clear, pro-environmental political agenda. Without a story, dialogue, or characters, Koyaanisqatsi... read more read more... (1983) (the film's title is a Hopi word roughly translated into English as "life out of balance") is composed of nature imagery, manipulated in slow motion, double exposure or time lapse, juxtaposed with footage of humans' devastating environmental impact on the planet. Starting with an ancient rock wall painting, the film moves through sequences depicting clouds, waves, and other natural features, then into man-made landscapes such as buildings, earth-altering construction machinery, and cars. The message of director Godfrey Reggio is clear: humans are destroying the planet, and all of human progress is pointlessly foolish. Also notable for its intense, atmospheric score by new age composer Philip Glass, Koyaanisqatsi (1983) was a labor of love for Reggio, who spent several years filming it. The film was followed by sequels, Powaqqatsi (1988), Anima Mundi (1991) and Naqoyqatsi (1999). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

91% liked it

13,882 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

18 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Godfrey Reggio

Release Date: February 1, 1983

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DVD Release Date: September 17, 2002

 

Stats: 1,214 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,214)

  • cosmo313
    May 6, 2012
    cosmo313
    This just might be the greatest non-narrative film of all time. It might not have a plot, and the script was probably more like an outline of the various sequences, but there's definitely a story here.

    Composed entirely of various footage of both natural and human environments s... read moreet to the brilliant and haunting music of Philip Glass, Koyaanisqatsi (it's Hopi for "life out of balance", this is a look at our world, the juxtapositions between man and nature, and the fact that man is winning, and nature isn't. That's the story, and the film itself, right there.

    It somehow manages to be both straightforward and simple, yet have so much going on. And it's all done without dialogue (save for some postscript at the end). That is an amazing feat right there, and I feel like a better person for finally sitting down and giving this celebrated art house gem a watch.

    Sure, Herzog did some stuff like this before 1983, but this film really set a standard for artsy, somewhat pretentious experimental pieces that could be appreciated by the masses as well as the elite. The cinematogrphy by Ron Fricke is, brilliant and pretty innovative (especially for the time), and this is one of the best experiecnes I've gone through in a while.

    That's also the best way to treat this film. It's an experience more than anything, and I could easily see this playing in an art galelry or something. I really dug what all involved did here, but the film does seem to run out of steam here and there, and for very brief moments ,this truly felt like a gimmick. That didn't last too long though thankfully. It's weird, since even though I thought this ran out of steam (depsite being just under 90 minutes), I'd love to know how much footage was cut out, and I'd like to see it as well.

    Give this a watch, even if only once. It's a really special and unique film, and I feel like each person needs to have a surreal, ethereal experience like the kind this film provides.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    February 2, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    Visually and metaphorically very good. I especially liked the comparison between the sausages and humans. Very interesting but not something to watch for entertainment. We are destroying this world. Nature vs. humans.
  • SirPant
    November 2, 2010
    SirPant
    koyaanisqatsi highlights our subconscious obsession with capitalism and is a propaganda film / koyaanisqatsi is a sinister yet sarcastic comment on the destructive nature of the human race and highlights their constant delusions of self-importance / koyaanisqatsi is a collection ... read moreof beautifully photographed shots accompanied by a beautifully composed score / koyaanisqatsi is Man With A Movie Camera Circa 1982 *Please delete according to preference*
  • smith44
    March 29, 2008
    smith44
    An amazing movie, almost life captured in all its character.
  • RossCollinsUK
    November 22, 2007
    RossCollinsUK
    Great post-pub chillout ambient cinema. Haunting music with magical time-lapse photography takes you on a breathtaking cinematic tour of life on Earth. The few scenes of city life that date this movie just add to its charm, as a window of life in the 70s.
  • YosemiteSamFan
    July 11, 2007
    YosemiteSamFan
    Great hypnotizing Philip Glass music. The visuals in the desert and city are great. I didn't care much for the industry or the spiralling rocket fuselage; maybe that was the point of the movie. It's not fast-paced like MTV - expect to be lulled into a dreamlike state through some... read more slow parts of this.
  • robfearon
    April 14, 2009
    robfearon
    Koyaanisqatsi is mesmerising. It's an avant-garde work with purpose and substance that also succeeds as entertainment.
  • hawkledge
    February 1, 2009
    hawkledge
    Intellectual, avant-garde, non-narrative visual music. From ancient Hopi rock wall painting, sweeping into imagery and cinematography of indelible panoramic juxtapositions and contrasts producing a magic, emotional, passionate rhythm. Hopi prophecy is echoed throughout Philip Gla... read moress's score, which stands on its own as a powerful composition.
  • Naesssal
    October 5, 2008
    Naesssal
    Every time I started to get bored, some new shot would blow my mind. The sheer beauty of the film and the visceral thrill I got from watching it was amazing.
  • cacutshaw
    February 8, 2008
    cacutshaw
    A perfect balance of music and visuals. Awesome and thought provoking.

View All Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance Reviews

Critic Reviews

Mark Bourne
April 6, 2006
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com

Whether or not the movie exposes a world that is manifestly out of balance, Reggio and Glass's liturgy is that rarest of art forms: an avant-garde work with purpose and substance that also succeeds as... Full Review

Martin Scribbs
July 5, 2004
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian

Relentlessly concerned with the surface reality of human life, Koyaanisqatsi completely misses the inner beauties and dignities of man-made civilization.

Derek Smith
December 22, 2003
Derek Smith, Cinematic Reflections

'A magnificent, eye-opening experience'

Gerry Shamray
October 27, 2003
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland

Jaw dropping photography. A unique experience.

James Sanford
May 21, 2003
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

Unique and fascinating; great Philip Glass score

Rob Vaux
January 14, 2003
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

I guarantee you've never seen anything quite like it.

John A. Nesbit
October 6, 2002
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

gets its point across through Phillip Glass' hypnotic and evocative score, cinematographer Ron Fricke's creative and provocative juxtapositions, and mystical forces Full Review

Scott Weinberg
October 6, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Odd, hypnotic, and frequently quite beautiful.

Marty Mapes
September 20, 2001
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit

What makes this film great is its structure, the fact that photography, editing and music alone can combine to form an epic, 90-minute composition that coheres. Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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