1001 Club - Koyaanisqatsi (1983)

#731. Koyaanisqatsi (1983) 

Why It's In The Book: "As if a movie like Koyaanisqatsi weren't adventurous enough in its own right - an avant-garde feature with no story, nonstop minimalist music, and a serious sociopolitical message – director Godfrey Reggio announced from the start that this 1983 production was only the initial phase of a qatsi trilogy, all of which would be shot on commercial-grade 35mm film and aimed at mainstream theatrical release… Although all three installments have admirers, Koyaanisqatsi is easily the most fully realized of the bunch, retaining its power to tease the mind, tantalize the eye, and enchant the ear… Regio’s wish to devise a new kind of sensuous, alluring cinema in which all the key creative partners – cinematographer Ron Fricke, composer Philip Glass, and himself as director – would be equal partners, making equal contributions to the finished film. [He has] conviction that general audiences will support nonnarrative cinema if it presents important ideas in an appealing, unpretentious manner…. Reggio’s vision borrows important elements from earlier experimental filmmakers – the influence of Stan Brakhage and Hilary Harris are especially hard to miss – while reaching out to a wider audience than any avant-gardist had attracted before. The ongoing appeal of Koyaanisqatsi shows how well he succeeded." -1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

Member Ratings

Adolytsi - 9/10
"This is truly an ageless, peerless, seamless film, one that intentionally belies common constructive thinking to opt instead for wordless metaphor and juxtaposition."
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Movie Guy Steve - 9/10
"While the film itself is an achievement artistically, it would be very little without the tremendous and gripping soundtrack by Phillip Glass."
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Thomas - 8.5/10
"This is one of those movies that people will either find amazing or a complete waste of time. I agree with the first part."
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Siochembio - 8/10
"In terms of experimental film, this one feels a bit easier to digest."
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Kim Wilson - 7.5/10
"Who knew I would actually enjoy watching avant garde cinema this much?"
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marie_dressler - 7/10
"I have a few nits to pick with this heavy-handed message movie."
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Michaël Parent - 7/10
"This poetic visual documentary has only images and the mystical music by composer Philip Glass."
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Nicolas Krizan - 7/10
"Suggestive imagery with music by Philip Glass. Legendary stuff."
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Lindsey - 5/10
"It is supposed to be an environmental tale, but falls flat.  I can see what the filmmakers were trying to do, but they fell short of my expectations."
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Overall Rating: 7.7/10