A Remarkable Film Event
"...for the many attempts there have been at imitating or emulating this film, there is nothing that comes close to achieving that level of involvement with the viewer."
I've been a big fan of Koyaanisqatsi ever since I saw it at The Tivoli Theatre in the mid '80's. I was spellbound by the images and I've never looked at the world the same way since.
"...the mind bending visceral experience known only as...Koyaanisqatsi"
The Film
Koyaanisqatsi
is a Hopi Indian word meaning 'life out of balance'. Created between 1975 and 1982, Koyaanisqatsi is an apocalyptic vision of two different worlds - urban life, and technology versus the environment.
koy.aa.nis.qat.si
How To Pronouce Koyaanisqatsi
(Hopi) [n]
The title comes from the native american Hopi ...
1. crazy life
2. life out of balance
3. life disintegrating
4. life in turmoil
5. a way of life that calls for another way of living.
"...almost as if this was an alien travel documentary on the Earth!"
Koyaanisqatsi Review
Koyaanisqatsi is a sort of documentary. There are no actors, there is no plot and there is no script. All of the images in Koyaanisqatsi are of real life. The subject of the images vary greatly. They are presented in such a way to show the contrast between human's and nature. The images provoke a thousand thoughts.
Ron Fricke was the principal cinematographer on Koyaanisqatsi. Ron Fricke later went on to create Baraka, as well as Chronos. Many of the techniques that work so well in Koyaanisqatsi, such as the slow motion, time-lapse, and moving vehicle shots, are found in many later films such as Baraka and Dogora. Some of the scenes seem to be existing footage. The explosions and space rocket launch are unlikely to have been filmed by Ron Fricke or other members of the crew.
- Spirit of Baraka
- Review of the film.
An Image From The Film
KOYAANISQATSI See The Complete Film Here
Watch it Online
Click the link below to view the film on Google Video.
85 minutes
- KOYAANISQATSI
- Life Out Of Balance
"Every visual artist
should see this film"
The making of KOYAANISQATSI
Godfrey Reggio
- KOYAANISQATSI - Godfrey Reggio
- The making of
The experience itself is mind numbing and hypnotic. It's certainly a film you're not likely to forget anytime soon.
About The Film
From Various Reviews
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"At times you don't know whether you are looking at a satellite photograph of a cityscape or a close-up of a circuit board or computer chip. "
***************
"Until now you have never really seen the world you live in" is the claim on the trailer for Koyaanisqatsi and for once the voice-over man is not hyperbolising. Koyaanisqatsi is indeed one of the most powerful, influential and affecting films ever made. Even though its iconic imagery has been much imitated, being appropriated for everything from television advertising to pop promotional videos (Madonna's 'Ray of Light' and Big Country's 'One Great Thing' come immediately to mind), it still has the power to genuinely move you to look differently at the world around you."
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The film uses extensive time lapse photography (which speeds images up) and slow motion photography.
In the beginning minutes, we see cloud formations moving (sped up) intercut with a montage of ocean waves (slowed down) and in such a way we are able to see the similarities of movement between these natural forces. This technique of comparison exists throughout the film.
The film progresses from purely natural environments to nature as affected by man, and finally to man's own manmade environment, devoid of nature yet still following the patterns of natural flow as depicted in the beginning of the film, yet in chaos and disarray.
***************
The film Koyaanisqatsi is not traditional in any sense. It takes the viewer on a wild flight from the tranquil (seemingly lifeless) western deserts of the United States, through the great planes of the nation's heartland and mid-west, our forests and on to America's largest cities. The pace accelerates as the music and images drive individualism from the minds' eye. Modern technological life becomes impersonal and mechanical, and humans become robotic. Our everyday lives seem meaningless as we produce, consume, and maintain ever increasing amounts of need. Technology feeds on itself and tremendous amounts of resources are wasted as demonstrated in the demolition of New York City Projects in the film.
Robert Boak
"...the audience is taken on a bizarre journey as audio and images collide in a world that is both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time."
Art House & Film School Favorite
An art-house (and film school) favorite Koyaanisqatsi (Life out of Balance) is one of those rare, oddly fulfilling cinematic experiences that as wonderful as it may be simply put, defies description. I can't even remember how many times I was forced to watch this film in college (film school, yup), but I do know that it is one of the few films that was forced upon me that I truly did enjoy. Luckily we will no longer have to try to track down the elusive out of print video or laser disc as MGM has graciously brought forth onto DVD the mind bending visceral experience known only as%u2026 Koyaanisqatsi.by Lawrence P. Raffel
Movies Editor
Add Koyaanisqatsi to Your Library
The film is a must for the collection of any true fan of the cinema.
Because of licencing and funding difficulties, its release on DVD has been a long time coming. Thankfully this MGM release does the film justice and as it is available in a double-pack with Powaqqatsi at a ridiculously cheap price, you really ought to have it in your DVD collection.
~~Noel Megahey
The incredible score provided by Philip Glass.
Just as important as the images, the score to Koyaanisqatsi is an integral part of the process. The new audio track is quite crisp and clear and there's no distortion here. Audio emanates from all speakers and at times nearly fills the room. It's subtle, but not too subtle, and when it's time for the power to kick in, it does. Also worth mentioning is the fact that MGM has included subtitles in French and Spanish. Considering the fact that barely a word is spoken, I'll just take it that the folks over at MGM have a wicked sense of humor (or a lot of free time on their hands).
Extras include a brief featurette that contains interviews with composer Philip Glass and director Godfrey Reggio, which runs about 25 minutes. Also included ate trailers for Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi and the soon to be released Naqoyqatsi.
by Lawrence P. Raffel
Movies Editor
After a decade in legal limbo, the first two films in the acclaimed Qatsi trilogy are available on home video. Not only are they available but they are available in their original widescreen format for the first time ever on home video.
Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance
The first film in the acclaimed Qatsi trilogy. Every visual artist should have this film in their library.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/13/2009) 
Koyaanisqatsi / Powaqqatsi (2 Pack)
The first and second film in the acclaimed Qatsi trilogy.
Amazon Price: $17.49 (as of 07/13/2009)
Koyaanisqatsi - Life Out of Balance / Powaqqatsi - Life in Transformation / Naqoyqatsi - Life As War (3 Pack)
All 3 films in the acclaimed Qatsi trilogy.
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
"I guarantee you've never seen anything quite like it."
The Soundtrack by Phillip Glass
About The Sound Track
While there is no plot in the traditional sense, there is a definate scenario. The film opens on ancient native American cave drawings, while the soundtrack chants "Koyaanisqatsi". This chant stays in my mind!
Add the Koyaanisqatsi Soundtrack to Your Library
~~Noel Megahey
Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out Of Balance (1983 Film)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
Koyaanisqatsi
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
Glass: Songs from Liquid Days; Vessels from Koyaanisqatsi; Three Songs
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
"...an incredibly mind-blowing cinematic experience, a film I've been in love with for many years"
Have you seen this film?
Image From the Film
"For me, this film was totally mesmeric ... powerful images and brilliant soundtrack."
Reviews
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com
- Movie Habit: Review of Koyaanisqatsi/Powaqqatsi (2002), ****
- Koyaanisqatsi/Powaqqatsi
DVD review by Marty Mapes
**** After a decade in legal limbo, the first two films in the acclaimed Qatsi trilogy are available on home video. Not only are they available but they are available in their original widescreen format for the first time ever on home video. I&# - Monsters At Play: Koyaanisqatsi Review
- Monsters at Play offers up-to-date news and reviews of cult and horror DVDs.
- film.u-net.com
- Koyaanisqatsi (1983)
A review by Damian Cannon.Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
It feels strange to be discussing Koyaanisqatsi using words since the
film communicates its message purely with images and sound, utilising no spoken
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 entertainment.
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com
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"Jaw dropping photography. A unique experience"
Trailer
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Philip Glass' Koyaan...
KOYAANISQATSI MOON!
Life Out of Balanace
godfrey reggio
godfrey reggio #2
Screen
severe 'stanley' eve...
ending
I Want to Hear From You
If you have seen Koyaanisqatsi, share your experience.
GrowWear wrote...
I...can't wait...to see...this film! Now headed over to put it at the top of the queue at Netflix. I have seen Baraka twice and have always wondered -- but never tried to find out because I thought it may be something I don't want to know -- what in the heck they were doing to those little chicks' beaks! Anyway, I look forward to seeing Koyaanisqatsi! Like John, I am a little perplexed about not having heard of it or known about the trilogy and such. I guess I just wasn't ready to learn about it yet. But, I now feel that this is going to be a spectacular, and rare, film experience! ...Couldn't wait; went and queued the whole trilogy. :) OK. I'm done with the long-windedness. Thank you for this lens!
Posted November 01, 2008
johndilbeck wrote...
I forgot to say that I'm so used to watching movies and documentaries where someone tells me what I'm watching that I was really antsy during the first few minutes of this film. I kept waiting for someone to start talking and it was really strange watching something on TV with nobody saying anything. In a weird way, it was like real life and much less like watching TV.
The chanting/singing of the Hopi word, Koyaanisqatsi, was interesting and enjoyable, but, for some reason, it added an almost alien quality to the video.
After about 15 minutes, I had to restart the video in order to watch it without continually waiting for the narrator.
Have I been indoctrinated or what?
Still, it was a memorable experience.
Posted October 30, 2008
johndilbeck wrote...
Good morning, Pat!
I want to thank you for recommending Koyaanisqatsi. I put it in my NetFlix queue several months ago and got to watch it yesterday. It was a memorable experience and I'm sure I'll want to watch it again, in a few months.
Interestingly enough, this film was made during a period when I lived in a tipi and later moved to Arizona, so many of the images in the film were of areas I had visited about the same time the movie was being made.
It captures one of the major dichotomies of my life - love of nature and respect for technology - and the two are frequently in conflict.
Thank you for recommending this film to me. My head is full of the images and my emotions swayed first one way and then another as the film progressed.
I don't know how I missed it when it was first released, but I'm happy to have the chance to see it now.
Act on your dream!
JD
Posted October 30, 2008
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