How Koyaanisqatsi Changes Our Perspective on Modernity

What's it like to see the world for the first time, with a fresh pair of eyes, from a completely different perspective? In this video, we'll be taking a look at one of the most profound films of the last several decades: Godfrey Reggio's experimental documentary and visual tone-poem 'Koyaanisqatsi' (1982). In order to understand what Reggio is trying to say through the film, we'll be examining the technical as well as contextual elements behind the project, particularly focusing on the influence of the Native American Hopi people and their mythology.

FURTHER READING/VIEWING

MUSIC

'Koyaanisqatsi' by Philip Glass:
- 'Koyaanisqatsi'
- 'Organic'
- 'Resource'
- 'Pruitt Igoe'
- 'The Grid Introduction'
- 'The Grid'
- 'Microchip'
- 'Prophecies'
- 'Translations and Credits'

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I do not own any of the clips used.
This video is a review for critical and educational purposes and is protected under article 15 and 105 in the United States Fair Use code, as well as Fair Dealing in UK copyright law. My use of both the footage and music from this work is for the sake of analysis. This video is NOT an infringement on copyright.

[cmccuan]

This film was like getting your first pair of glasses and getting to see clearly for the first time just to see a junk yard, a meat packing plant, and a car accident.

[joannevincent]

Koyaanisqatsi, both film and score, got under my skin nearly 50 years ago. I've never lost the feeling of being mesmerized by the cinematic creation of Reggio and Glass.

[TestEric]

This analysis could be 10 times longer, and still only hint at all the implications and meaning of this film. Top 3 greatest movies I have ever seen. This is a great video, nice job.

[cleanpowerelectric]

This film radically altered the perspective of 18yr old me in 1983, setting up my life philosophy of endeavouring to live life in balance. It’s a work in progress.

[shortycareface]

Re-watched this one during the early stages of Lockdown last year; suddenly it felt like the perfect time for it. Definitely one of the most powerful cinematic experiences I've ever had. I'm moved to tears by this movie. Great analysis!

[quetzalcueyat]

the phoenix art mueseum recently screened this film. i read the discription and looked it up online before heading out to watchi. i had a general idea about what i was going to watch. i was blown away with the visual. just seeing where were headind with destroying our envionment for our technologies and seeing the social class divides of the have and have nots. its a wake up call.

[abibas]

you know, watching the movie and listening to that masterpiece, every time I think about mankind in general: The post-industrial society. Will humanity come to some kind of unified method of management, as according to Fukuyama? High technologies. Will they replace our lifestyle and ourselves? Population and urbanization limits. Ecology. How we replace our wars? How will the concept of war change? Will people have the need of all of it? The questions of life and death. Trans and post humanism. Isn't it all an utopia? Are we ready for all that??... what is next, what is the next goal, where to develop further, space exploration, planet colonization, interest in expanding the knowable, literally everything comes to mind....the ending always make me cry thinking of all the crap happened with humanity for decades and centuries and still happening to reach nowdays. The rocket leaving our home planet, heading into the unknown and inexorably exploding and falling back (the music is sensational, so many different vibes, it s just fantastic, with so strong energy)

[MrCalhoun]

A consciousness emerging from barren lands, forming and feasting upon it, growing, discarding it dead parts, expanding, transcending its own nature and reaching out to new worlds. That's what I see when watching Koyaanisqatsi.

[Alberto-Caeiro]

My favourite film of all time. I have lost count how many times I have watched it, and how many times I heard the soundtrack.

[HappySnappyChappy]

This movie made a big impact on me at the time and I watched it many times, often to a different sound track, like Pink Floyd or Mike Oldfield (and the synchronicity is astonishing). I enjoyed your presentation and found it insightful and interesting as I've not watched the big K for many years now, but I was pondering one of the follow ups and thought I should maybe revisit this experience. I'm sure it is, as you said, more relevant and disturbing than ever. It occurs to me some 40 odd years later maybe people have forgotten about it, but I saw it turn up in the Simpsons and in Scrubs.

[Dinjur]

Blew me away when I first watched it. I took a gamble when buying the Criterion Blu-Ray before watching it and while the other two films in the box set are underwhelming, Koyaanisqatsi really affected me greatly.

[jonahfalcon]

Fun fact: the music in each scene were not written for that scene by Glass. According to Glass, Reggio took the music he wrote for each scene and used it for other scenes.

[gekasaurus]

Everything about this Project was and and special. The Music is absolutely unique and has a profound influence on me

[jvideosfullhd]

Eu estava procurando um vídeo explicando o filme. O ponto de vista. É incrível o filme, eterno.

[niiiiiiiiiiicooooooooooooooo]

Man, these 12/13 minutes were the most entertaining and reflexive in my whole day. Congratulations for your video!

[pauloakes]

I remember watching this in 1984 and has had a life long effect on my life and understanding of it!

[CASPERDANCE]

This was a fantastic watch. Would love to hear your thoughts on the other two films in this trilogy.

[nationeer]

someone in youtube posted the movie in reverse, It's even more surreal watching it that way but still engaging

[jarabaa]

A beautiful, illuminating commentary guiding us through a unique work of art.

[yuvadm]

Thanks so much for putting the work into this incredible review of an incredible movie <3