Film Screening: Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi, meaning “life out of balance” in the Hopi* language, is a cult-classic non-narrative documentary directed and produced by Godfrey Reggio, featuring original music by Philip Glass.

Released in 1982, the film is a shocking look at modern life and its imbalances, now proven more prescient with the continued evolution of technology, urbanization, and devastating climate change. The non-narrative film is comprised entirely of montaged, mesmerizing visuals of natural and urban landscapes. It’s a portrait of us, our planet, our beauty, and our fallacies, rendered unmarred by dialogue distractions or glossy glamor.

The film’s austerity allows for the scale of subject matter to emerge effectively. The profoundness of our earth, our relationship to it, each other, and technology’s mediating influence fully washes over the viewer. Not unlike Glass’ music, what seems like simple repetition teems with activity, intrigue, and metaphorical meaning. The push and pull of time-lapse videography evocatively interplays with the time-bending universe of Glass’ minimalism.

This sometimes foreboding, sometimes joyful capture of the human experience is remarkable not only for its intent & social statement but also for its mammoth impact in the film, music, and art worlds. It was a turning point in Philip Glass’ career; while he already had respect within the musical world, this film score is considered the composer's first popular success.

*The Hopi Tribal Nation is located in what is now known as northeastern Arizona.