1983
Directed by Godfrey Reggio
I didn't plan on watching any more 1001 movies yesterday, but my parents invited me to watch a film with them last night. I discovered this was on Amazon Instant and put it on without knowing anything about it. It quickly became clear that the film had no plot and no dialogue and that I had just committed the three of us into watching a ninety minute experimental film. It was the ultimate betrayal.
"Koyaanisqatsi" is a Hopi Indian term meaning "life out of balance." It consisted of images of nature then sped up images of mankind (which my mom claimed made her nauseated, but she might of just been looking for an excuse to bail). I guess it was supposed to illustrate how humanity is ruining the environment. It almost felt like the filmmakers were trying to brainwash me: scary, loud music played when we saw phone lines, while calm, pleasing music played when we were shown nature scenes.
I suppose parts of this film were beautiful. At times I even thought "now that image would make a great jigsaw puzzle" (such is the old maid mindset). But honestly, I could have gotten the same enjoyment looking at a desktop background.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
Pays homage to Tarkovsky.
Took six years to make.
Oh dear .. you and experimentals, not a good mix at all are they? I had thought that maybe you may get more from this than many others. after all, there is nothing 'weird' about this. The images are clear and stunningly beautiful, and a message that, whilst perhaps a little heavy handed', could not be disagreed with.
ReplyDeleteI've seen one other of the trilogy this is part of, and rate them quite highly.
I suppose there is nothing particularly weird about this, so I just found it boring.
DeleteI am with your mom on this---I found the "hurried" part rather upsetting physically! I don't like frenzied.I thought the beginning and end scenes of nature rather beautiful and soothing. I got the point the filmmaker wanted me to get--it just was a little too long.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Even a half hour would have worked for this.
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