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    Koyaanisqatsi

    • 19821982
    • Not RatedNot Rated
    • 1h 26min
    IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    36K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    DocumentaryMusic

    A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on nature, humanity and the relationship between them.A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on nature, humanity and the relationship between them.A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on nature, humanity and the relationship between them.A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on nature, humanity and the relationship between them.A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on nature, humanity and the relationship between them.

    • Director
      • Godfrey Reggio
    • Writers
      • Ron Fricke(scenario)
      • Godfrey Reggio(scenario)
      • Michael Hoenig(scenario)
    • Stars
      • Edward Asner(archive footage)
      • Pat Benatar(archive footage)
      • Jerry Brown(archive footage)
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Godfrey Reggio
    • Writers
      • Ron Fricke(scenario)
      • Godfrey Reggio(scenario)
      • Michael Hoenig(scenario)
    • Stars
      • Edward Asner(archive footage)
      • Pat Benatar(archive footage)
      • Jerry Brown(archive footage)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 221User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 6 wins & 1 nomination

    Photos93

    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
    Koyaanisqatsi (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Asner
    Edward Asner
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Pat Benatar
    Pat Benatar
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Jerry Brown
    Jerry Brown
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Johnny Carson
    Johnny Carson
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Cavett
    Dick Cavett
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Marilyn Chambers
    Marilyn Chambers
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Sammy Davis Jr.
    Sammy Davis Jr.
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Lou Dobbs
    Lou Dobbs
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Thomas Dolby
    Thomas Dolby
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Linda Ellerbee
    Linda Ellerbee
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Jerry Falwell
    Jerry Falwell
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Mark J. Goodman
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Ted Koppel
    Ted Koppel
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Peter Sellers
    Peter Sellers
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Tush
    • Self - On TVas Self - On TV
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Godfrey Reggio
    • Writers
      • Ron Fricke(scenario)
      • Godfrey Reggio(scenario)
      • Michael Hoenig(scenario)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    This experimental film looks at the world and more specifically the effect man has had on the landscape and the environment. Without narration, the film shows the world in a pristine condition and untouched: blue skies, beautiful landscapes and endless vistas. The man-made world is much less appealing. Essentially a montage using a variety of film techniques to provide a visually stunning montage of images. —garykmcd
    time lapse photographyexperimental filmtelevisiondemolitionbuilding64 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • October 4, 1982. More than 5,000 people filled the sold out Radio City Music Hall to experience a remarkable film event. That event was the world premiere of KOYAANISQATSI. Now everyone can share the power of that experience.
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • Music
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Godfrey Reggio was hooked on Philip Glass doing the music. He approached Glass through a mutual friend, and Glass replied, "I don't do film music." Reggio persisted, and finally the friend told Glass that the tenacious guy was not going to go away without at least an audience. Glass relented, though he still insisted he wasn't doing the music. Reggio put together a photo montage with Glass' music as the soundtrack, which he presented to Glass at a private screening in New York. Immediately following the screening, Glass agreed to score the film.
    • Goofs
      About an hour into the movie, the camera operator is reflected in the elevator's glass window as the elevator passes "between" floors while shooting the escalators.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      title card: Translation of the Hopi Prophecies sung in the film: "If we dig precious things from the land, we will invite disaster." - "Near the Day of Purification, there will be cobwebs spun back and forth in the sky." - "A container of ashes might one day be thrown from the sky, which could burn the land and boil the oceans."

    • Crazy credits
      End credits go over mashed voice recordings in English ranging from call operator answers to television news.
    • Connections
      Edited into Wide Awake (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Koyaanisqatsi
      Written by Philip Glass

      Vocals performed by Albert de Ruiter

    User reviews221

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Just watch it
    A welcome assault on the senses, 'Koyaanisqatsi' is not for the impatient or nervous. You have to give it time because it is slightly dull in the very beginning, as the music and landscapes are fairly ordinary. Once it gets going, its really fascinating. Some gorgeous images, none generated by a computer I might add, and a soundtrack to match the intensity makes this a unique movie experience. I saw it on the big screen when it was first released, and it was MUCH better than on my not-that-big television.

    One of the things I also like about this movie is the fact that since there is no dialogue, it can be shown in any country in the world unchanged. We would all see it the exact same way. I like the idea of that very much.
    helpful•120
    17
    • Boyo-2
    • Jul 9, 2001

    FAQ3

    • What does Koyaanisqatsi mean?
    • What buildings are being demolished?
    • What is the rocket that explodes?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 24, 1983 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Qatsi Trilogy site
    • Languages
      • None
      • Hopi
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance
    • Filming locations
      • Embarcadero Freeway, San Francisco, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • American Zoetrope
      • IRE Productions
      • Santa Fe Institute for Regional Education
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,723,872
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,723,872
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 26min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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