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.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
40K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Ron Fricke(scenario)
- Godfrey Reggio(scenario)
- Michael Hoenig(scenario)
- Stars
- Edward Asner(archive footage)
- Pat Benatar(archive footage)
- Jerry Brown(archive footage)
- Director
- Writers
- Ron Fricke(scenario)
- Godfrey Reggio(scenario)
- Michael Hoenig(scenario)
- Stars
- Edward Asner(archive footage)
- Pat Benatar(archive footage)
- Jerry Brown(archive footage)
- Awards
- 6 wins & 1 nomination
Edward Asner
- Self - On TV
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Pat Benatar
- Self
- (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)
- Director
- Writers
- Ron Fricke(scenario)
- Godfrey Reggio(scenario)
- Michael Hoenig(scenario)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGodfrey 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.
- GoofsThe two explosions at about 18 minutes into the film were shot with anamorphic lenses and not properly desqueezed for the film's 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
- 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 creditsEnd credits go over mashed voice recordings in English ranging from call operator answers to television news.
- ConnectionsEdited into Wide Awake (2006)
Featured review
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.
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•12819
- Boyo-2
- Jul 9, 2001
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance
- Filming locations
- Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA(includes Horseshoe Canyon)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,723,872
- Gross worldwide
- $1,723,872
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