A collection of expertly photographed phenomena with no conventional plot. The footage focuses on nature, humanity and the relationship between them.
Director:
Godfrey Reggio
From metacritic.com
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Title: Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
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6 wins & 1 nomination.
See more awards »
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Cast
| Uncredited cast: | |||
| Edward Asner | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Pat Benatar | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Jerry Brown | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Johnny Carson | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Dick Cavett | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Marilyn Chambers | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Sammy Davis Jr. | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Lou Dobbs | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Thomas Dolby | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Linda Ellerbee | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Jerry Falwell | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
 |
Mark J. Goodman | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Ted Koppel | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
| Peter Sellers | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) | |
|
|
Bill Tush | ... | Self - On TV (archive footage) (uncredited) |
Learn more
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Edit
Plot Summary
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Storyline
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. Written by garykmcd
Plot Keywords:
time lapse photography | experimental film | demolition | building | non narrative |Taglines:
Until now, you've never really seen the world you live in. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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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."
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The film contains a total of four frames (two frames each in two different places) of someone who appears to be adult film actress Marilyn Chambers. These appear during the "channel surfing" montage within the segment titled The Grid. In three of the four frames, she is visibly topless. See more »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. See more »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."
See more »
Crazy Credits
Prior to end credits translation of the title and Hopi prophecies heard in the film are given. See more »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
24 August 1983 (France) See more »Also Known As:
Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$1,723,872Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$1,723,872Company Credits
Production Co:
American Zoetrope, IRE Productions, Santa Fe Institute for Regional Education See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1Contribute to This Page
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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.