Chronos (1985)

Carefully picked scenes of nature and civilization are viewed at high speed using time-lapse cinematography in an effort to demonstrate the history of various regions.

Director:

Ron Fricke

Writers:

Constantine Nicholas (scenario), Genevieve Nicholas (scenario)

Storyline

Carefully picked scenes of nature and civilization are viewed at high speed using time-lapse cinematography in an effort to demonstrate the history of various regions.

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Plot Keywords:

nature | non narrative | landscape | castle | cathedral | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Short

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Canada USA

Release Date:

10 May 1985 (USA)

Filming Locations:

405 Freeway, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Productions de la Géode, Magidson Films, Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater & Science Center, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

IMAX 6-Track (dbx)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Composer Michael Stearns used an instrument called the Beam to generate many of the sounds for this film, which is 12 feet long made of extruded aluminum with 24 piano strings from 19-22 gauge. The original instruments it was based upon were made from cast iron and difficult to move around.

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Connections

Referenced in Silicon Valley Timelapse (2008)

User Reviews

attractive imagery, but not much else

This forty-minute novelty item, directed by the cinematographer of 'Koyaanisqatsi', presents a time-lapse history of Western Civilization, from ancient Egypt to downtown Los Angeles. Like its predecessor the film is essentially a non-narrative travelogue filled with sweeping vistas and arresting images, set to a soaring new-age soundtrack and intended only for the largest movie screen in town. The various landscapes, both natural and man-made, are pleasant to look at, but that's all they are: pretty pictures, a showcase for Ron Fricke's computer operated camera. It's clear from the brief length of the film that Fricke himself realized its limitations; his theme of the transience of humankind compared to its creations is explored only superficially, and relies too heavily on repeated shots of cumulus clouds whizzing over Stonehenge and sunlight passing over the face of the Sphinx.