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Koyaanisqatsi

Play trailer Poster for Koyaanisqatsi 2004 1h 27m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Drawing its title from the Hopi word meaning "life out of balance," this renowned documentary reveals how humanity has grown apart from nature. Featuring extensive footage of natural landscapes and elemental forces, the film gives way to many scenes of modern civilization and technology. Given its lack of narration and dialogue, the production makes its points solely through imagery and music, with many scenes either slowed down or sped up for dramatic effect.

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Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi

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Critics Consensus

Koyaanisqatsi combines striking visuals and a brilliant score to produce a viewing experience that manages to be formally daring as well as purely entertaining.

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Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 10/23/2004
3/4
Koyaanisqatsi is an impressive visual and listening experience. Go to Full Review
Tim Brayton Alternate Ending 10/27/2023
5/5
Crafting a way of seeing the world that is fresh and new. Go to Full Review
Wael Khairy The Cinephile Fix 03/31/2023
“Koyaanisqatsi” is one of the most eye-opening works of art created in the late 20th century. Go to Full Review
Lisa Nesselson France24 09/26/2018
Seeing it again actually brought tears to my eyes. Go to Full Review
David N. Butterworth La Movie Boeuf 08/22/2017
3.5/4
"Well now, that music was *very* foreboding; it made a shiver go right down my spine." Go to Full Review
Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com 01/11/2007
4/5
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Audience Reviews

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Laurence W @RT00595434 16h Koyaanisqatsi is a powerful visual reflection on the relationship between nature, technology, and the pace of modern life. It begins with peaceful and beautiful imagery, then gradually shifts into the fast movement and pressure of industrial society. Through strong editing and unforgettable music, the film delivers a clear message without using dialogue. It is thoughtful, creative, and leaves you reflecting on the world around you. See more Sasha M @RT18860725 2d A wonderful marriage of cinematography and sound, it takes intense visuals and matches them with a minimalist score to create something that’s bold, different, and still just straight-up entertaining to watch. See more Audrey S @aspencer329 4d This is unlike any film I have ever seen. It does not follow a traditional storyline, with no clear plot, dialogue, or defined characters. Instead, it uses powerful visuals to explore the relationship between humans, technology, and nature. At times, the film feels slow, but this seems intentional, forcing the viewer to slow down in a fast-paced world and reflect more deeply on society. One of the most important elements is sound. Without dialogue, sound acts as the film’s voice, guiding emotion and meaning. The repetitive music mirrors the patterns of modern life, especially in scenes of cities and traffic. In contrast, scenes of nature are paired with calmer sounds, creating a sense of peace and relief. The chanting adds a reflective tone, encouraging deeper thought. Overall, sound is not just support,it shapes the film’s meaning and emotional impact. See more Sasha L @RT40098007 5d I had cinematography. The overhead shots of the empty rocky plains showing a sense of dry nothingness with no sign of life. It matches with the sound of the repeated music that could be heard as "nothing" as well. The shapes of the pock pillars match the pillar designs on the cave wall at the beginning. The way the sand looks and with how the wind blows , it makes it look like a different planet. Make it seem like a world untouched by technological events or ideas. The shots of the clouds passing each other making it look as if there is something behind them or above them, the way the water glistened made it look like t.v. static. Comparing the way water flows and how the clouds look like flowing water. Some shots made it feel like we are flying (maybe as a bird's pov) in the untouched world. Then when modern technology was introduced, it was shown as "evil" to nature and the natural environment. The red glow of "evil" and explosion for technology. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Jan 17 Don't watch this movie. You have been warned. The 91% you see there in audience score is bullshit. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 Oct 4 Watched on six x speed after watching first fifteen interminable minutes. Who has the spare time for this? Height of artistic pretension. Watched (kind of) it n DVD. See more Read all reviews
Koyaanisqatsi

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Movie Info

Synopsis Drawing its title from the Hopi word meaning "life out of balance," this renowned documentary reveals how humanity has grown apart from nature. Featuring extensive footage of natural landscapes and elemental forces, the film gives way to many scenes of modern civilization and technology. Given its lack of narration and dialogue, the production makes its points solely through imagery and music, with many scenes either slowed down or sped up for dramatic effect.
Director
Godfrey Reggio
Distributor
Island Alive
Production Co
IRE Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 17, 2016
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
Surround
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