Author Topic: Koyaanisqatsi?  (Read 5050 times)

zummy

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 9
Koyaanisqatsi?
« on: January 27, 2011, 12:57:21 AM »
I've noticed there's very little mention here of Godfrey Reggio's trilogy of non narrative films Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi
 & Naqoyqatsi. The first of the series, Koyaanisqatsi, is legendary for it's iconic use of slow motion and time-lapse cinematography, later replicated by the films cinematographer Ron Fricke in his film Baraka (another cult classic overlooked here). Also notable about Reggio's trilogy is their musical scores by Philip Glass.

Surely many of you have heard of these films as they are often a staple of art house cinemas, but if not - you owe it to yourself to investigate them. Koyaanisqatsi at least is surely one of the most influential cult classics of all time. Countless directors, especially documentary makers, have borrowed techniques that these films helped pioneer.

Anyway, curious to know who has seen them, what your thoughts are.

smirnoff

  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 26251
    • smirnoff's Top 100
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #1 on: January 27, 2011, 07:16:44 AM »
It's true, they don't come up that often. I'd say that's more because of the non-narrative style than a lack of awareness though. There's just less to discuss (but I'll try).

For me, Koyaanisqatsi & Powaqqatsi were both wonderfully thought provoking audio/visual collages. Naqoyqatsi broke the spell by using a lot of CGI, which looks atrocious now and looked atrocious then.

Hmm, which other classic trilogy have we seen mutilated by the needless addition of CGI?



Thanks George Lucas.  ::)


Oh wait....





Yeah, "thanks" again.



Luckily Lucas had nothing to do with Baraka and it's the best of all. The best looking, the best sounding, the most wide ranging... of course that's just my opinion :)

Right now it's somewhere in my top 100.

pixote

  • Administrator
  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 34237
  • Up with generosity!
    • yet more inanities!
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #2 on: January 27, 2011, 07:45:43 AM »
I'm surprised Koyaanisqatsi doesn't get more play in theaters. I'd love to see it on the big screen.

Baraka looked great in 70mm, but it didn't win me over the way Koyaanisqatsi did.

pixote
Great  |  Near Great  |  Very Good  |  Good  |  Fair  |  Mixed  |  Middling  |  Bad

zummy

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 9
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2011, 10:37:47 PM »
Baraka is probably the only film I can honestly say changed my life. It inspired me to travel and visit many of the places depicted in the film. I have since had many “Baraka” moments and on one amazing occasion I actually (by pure chance) met one of the Indian Sadhu’s depicted in the film (praying in the river Ganges).

Junior

  • Bert Macklin, FBI
  • Global Moderator
  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 28709
  • What's the rumpus?
    • Benefits of a Classical Education
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2011, 01:41:18 AM »
I am proud to say that I can fleetingly almost pronounce the name of this film correctly.
Check out my blog of many topics

“I’m not a quitter, Kimmy! I watched Interstellar all the way to the end!”

pixote

  • Administrator
  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 34237
  • Up with generosity!
    • yet more inanities!
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2011, 05:22:28 PM »
I am proud to say that I can fleetingly almost pronounce the name of this film correctly.

I have to chant it.

pixote
Great  |  Near Great  |  Very Good  |  Good  |  Fair  |  Mixed  |  Middling  |  Bad

smirnoff

  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 26251
    • smirnoff's Top 100
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2011, 06:40:15 PM »
:D

Dave the Necrobumper

  • Objectively Awesome
  • ******
  • Posts: 12730
  • If I keep digging maybe I will get out of this hol
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2011, 10:17:48 PM »
I am proud to say that I can fleetingly almost pronounce the name of this film correctly.

I have to chant it.

pixote

You immediately brought to mind the Koyaanisqatsi throat chant from the film. Those lovely super deep bass tones.

thisvariousworld

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 9
  • Sa da tay my damies.
    • this various world
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2012, 03:32:39 AM »
Something about Film Socialisme really reminded me of Koyaanisqatsi.  Even thematically similar.

Rowland_Howard

  • Junior Member
  • *
  • Posts: 67
Re: Koyaanisqatsi?
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2012, 01:19:56 PM »
Samsara, Ron Fricke & Mark Magidson's follow up to the magnificent Baraka, will be released in theaters this August.  There's a preview on iTunes and elsewhere on the web.