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First-time filmmaker Godfrey Reggio's experimental documentary from 1983--shot mostly in the desert Southwest and New York City on a tiny budget with no script, then attracting the support of Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas and enlisting the indispensable musical contribution of Philip Glass--delighted college students on the midnight circuit and fans of minimalism for many years. Meanwhile, its techniques, merging cinematographer Ron Fricke's time-lapse shots (alternately peripatetic and hyperspeed) with Glass's reiterative music (from the meditative to the orgiastic)--as well as its ecology-minded imagery--crept into the consciousness of popular culture. The influence of Koyaanisqatsi, or "life out of balance," has by now become unmistakable in television advertisements, music videos, and, of course, in similar movies such as Fricke's own Chronos and Craig McCourry's Apogee. Reggio shot a sequel, Powaqqatsi (1988), and is planning to complete the trilogy with Naqoyqatsi. Koyaanisqatsi provides the uninitiated the chance to see where it all started--along with an intense audiovisual rush. --Robert Burns Neveldine
Product Description
Prepare to experience a truly remarkable filma cinematic masterpiece so extraordinary that it regales the senses, stimulates the mind and actually 'redefines the potential of filmmaking (The Hollywood Reporter). Celebrated director Godfrey Reggio, innovative cinematographer Ron Fricke and Golden Globe-winning* composer Philip Glass have created a 'spellbinding [film] so rich in beauty and detail that with each viewing it becomes a new and different film (Leonard Maltin). Unique profound mesmerizing and thought-provoking (Boxoffice), Koyaanisqatsi contrasts the tranquil beauty of nature with the frenzied hum of contemporary urban society. Uniting breathtaking imagery with a hauntingly evocative, award-winning score, it is original and fascinating (People) one of the greatest films of all time (Uncut). *1998: Score (with Burkhard Dallwitz), The Truman Show
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have rated this dvd 1 star, not the film itself. The film is a masterpeice, and an important piece of art. This dvd version of it is a piece of horse poop!
If you have never seen this film, I suppose the way it is framed in this version might not really bother you, but if you actually CARE to see the film as was originally presented, THIS ISN'T IT!
I am not sure exactly HOW they managed to frame this transfer so poorly, but if ineptitude is a virtue, these folks go to the head of the class.
I won't get into the techical terms of aspect ratio, framing, and the like, but suffice it to say, this release LACKS a good amount of the original image. The image on the screen might be presented in the original apsect, but the framing of that aspect was done in such a way as to "zoom" too far in, thus erradicating, in my estimation, approx. 15-20% of the original image. In a film like Koyaanisqatsi, where the artist's framing of the image is so critical, changing the original image by framing it this way is unforgivable...well...maybe merely a waste of time and money.
The frustrating thing for me was that the "full screen" vhs release actually gives the viewer a closer approximation of the original!
I won't go on and on about it, but like I said before; If you want the original, you're going to have to wait. I suppose there is a laser disc version out there that is framed properly, but that's not really much help!
Save your dough!
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The movie itself deserves to be seen, being what could be called "State-of-the-art Photography in motion".
A must have for those who enjoy the visual arts.
A must have for those who enjoy the visual arts.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Koyaanisqatsi.
There is no singular meaning for this movie. "To some its a work of art, to others it's a piece of s$#@," was what I believe Godfrey Reggio stated during his interview for... Read more
Published on Jan 8 2006 by Catherine J. Hannon
5.0 out of 5 stars
koyaanisqatsi
I saw this movie my senior year in highschool, back in 2002. I can honestly say that i have never been moved in such a way by a film as i have been by Koyaanisqatsi. Read more
Published on Jun 1 2004 by Sinuhe D. Montoya
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
This movie is amazing. It's not for everybody or for everyday viewing, but it is truly an experience. Read more
Published on April 30 2004 by Brandon A. Lopez
4.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Perfect
It is hard to believe this movie is already over 20 years old. I remember seeing it on the big screen when it was first released. It was an unexpected experience to say the least. Read more
Published on Feb 16 2004 by "memdoc"
1.0 out of 5 stars
Painful
Well, I might be bucking the trend of glowing reviews for this 22-year-old "arthouse" flic, but here goes:
While I recognize that the production was ahead of its time in 1982,... Read more
Published on Feb 10 2004 by Jonathan Sabin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Cinematography
More than anything, this is a beautiful movie. It is difficult to judge this movie on anything else because although the title is a commentary on modern day life, the actual movie... Read more
Published on Oct 14 2003 by Leon M. Bodevin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do you understand the message of the film?
I was 14 years old when I first watched the film. It has been a year now. Only now after watching the film a hundred times do I truly understand it. Read more
Published on Sep 28 2003
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Open- Minded Viewers With Patience
My interest in KOYA (Koyaanisqatsi) and the Qatsi trilogy was sparked after watching a video called "Baraka" (1993) filmed by Ron Fricke, who is also the DP for KOYA. Read more
Published on Sep 14 2003 by FrontPage
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great visuals, lousy soundtrack
Visually, I love this movie. Ron Fricke pioneered a very poetic cinematographic technique, and went on to perfect his art in "Baraka". Read more
Published on Sep 6 2003 by Mark Cederholm
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Movie Ever Made
OK, my title is a real strong statement, but I stand by it. I can remember the first time I saw it, on a 13 inch TV, on PBS, as I was channel surfing. Read more
Published on Jun 18 2003 by Scott FS
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