Koyaanisqatsi (1982) Scene - The Grid

[riloegaming]

I feel like we, as a species, need to make a Koyanisqatsi every 40 years or so, updated with the reality of that time.

[Sturgeon]

Ironic that this whole "modern technology" sequence is now just early '80s nostalgia, as most of this technology has itself become obsolete, lifestyles have changed, the jobs no longer exist, or have been outsourced to other countries.

[petergivenbless]

I love the cut from the sausage-making machine to the banks of escalators at Grand Central!

[ProfessorTime]

This is actually a slow and leisurely pace of life by 2021 standards.

[jamesmmcgill]

If you see Koyaanisqatsi only for Pruitt Igoe and Prophecies, there is one particular sequence that will defeat them all, and that is The Grid.

[yeppen]

As a person studying anthropology and space, I believe this is the best visual representation of the "social rhythm" suggested by lefebvre.

[SketchyScot]

This good 20 minute in total section of the film is what I can only describe as us, as a species, being studied/scrutinized under a microscope. Scurrying about like ants all with a routine.

[IAmNumber]

Every baby you see in this movie is at least 40 years old now

[annaelizabethwade]

Can't believe this is 40 years old now. First saw it in 1985 when I was 17 and never did I think I'd be watching it in my 50s thinking 'Yup, that's exactly where my head is right now..' The Philip Glass soundtrack is perfect too...

[edwardrenefette]

I remember watching it for the first time in a movie theater and the whole movie audience including myself let out a collective gasp as if we had been running a marathon. This sequence in the movie runs about 20 minutes and near the end the speed of the visuals is so accelerated that you feel like your taking a psychedelic trip on a roller coaster.
I had the pleasure of seeing two live performances of this film where the music is live played by the Phillip Glass Ensemble while the movie is projected on a screen. The first time I saw a live performance was at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA. I almost didn't get in because it was a sell out. It was one of the best movie experiences of my life. The second time was at the Hollywood Bowl, also exciting but not as exciting as the Royce Hall performance. Phillip Glass used to do world tours of this program. I'm not sure if he is still doing so.

[sirtophamhatt]

0:04 It sounds like they're chanting "HOT DOGS, HOT DOGS!"

[tristanlaferriere]

All those escalators at 2:04 were part of the PATH station underneath the original World Trade Center. Sad to think all of that is completely destroyed now.

[JustinGrant-jfgv]

How many people do you think there were that saw this movie and pointed out "Hey, that's me!!"?

[chrisfinch]

4:05 My favorite part of the chorus, which gives me goosebumps, every time I hear it.

[erics]

I saw this first on VHS in the mid 90s and then was fortunate to see it at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor in its full sound and light glory shortly thereafter. Its impression has never left me.

[kevinhillary]

My favorite part of the movie :’) Philip glass music is incredible

[jeshkam]

"We're functioning automatik
and we are dancing mechanik.
We are the robots."

Kraftwerk, 1978

[Kanadabalsam]

I was awestruck the first time i saw this, I would give anything to see this for the first time again

[ohiovr]

This is what mania sounds like. The following track makes it perfect.

[abibas]

a constant aggressive flow of people and vital activity, human factory, gutting brains...scary as hell