7.3/10
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Powaqqatsi (1988)

G | | Documentary, Music | 8 September 1988 (Netherlands)
Powaqqatsi Poster
An exploration of technologically developing nations and the effect the transition to Western-style modernization has had on them.

Director:

Godfrey Reggio

Writers:

Godfrey Reggio, Ken Richards

Stars:

Christie Brinkley, David Brinkley, Pope John Paul II | See full cast & crew »
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Photos

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Cast

Credited cast:
Christie Brinkley ... (archive footage)
David Brinkley ... (archive footage)
Pope John Paul II ... (archive footage)
Dan Rather ... (archive footage)
Cheryl Tiegs ... (archive footage)
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

An exploration of technologically developing nations and the effect the transition to Western-style modernization has had on them.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

industrialization | nature | poverty | experimental film | second part | See All (33) »

Taglines:

Life in Transformation

Genres:

Documentary | Music

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

Hopi | English | Spanish

Release Date:

8 September 1988 (Netherlands) See more »

Also Known As:

Northsouth: Life on the Edge See more »

Filming Locations:

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, Berlin, Germany See more »
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Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$589,244
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Golan-Globus Productions, NorthSouth, Santa Fe Institute for Regional Education See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The shot of the truck driving past the Indian boy as he walks along the road is the only staged shot in the film. See more »

Connections

Followed by Naqoyqatsi (2002) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Powaqqatsi mean?
See more »

User Reviews

 
3rd World Images, Circa 1988
20 June 2015 | by strong-122-478885 – See all my reviews

Well, when it came to Powaqqatsi's camera-work, I certainly had nothing to really complain about in regards to that. Overall, it was quite excellent and impressive to behold.

But, with that said, I honestly have to admit that viewing recurring images of 3rd World poverty and population overload (set at a gruellingly slow pace) did, indeed, become quite tiresome to sit through, in the long run.

In fact, I ended up watching most of Powaqqatsi in fast-forward mode - 'Cause I knew that I just couldn't have endured viewing it, from start to finish, at its full 99-minute running time. No way.

Powaqqatsi was directed by Godfrey Reggio. Its budget was $2.5 million.
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