Reviews


Koyaanisqatsi - Life out of Balance

A unique cinema experience, the re-release of Godfrey Reggios Koyaanisqatsi, 17 years after its debut, is essential viewing. Re-packaged with a spanking new print and digitally-enhanced score, Reggio’s silent film is a series of stunning images depicting an apocalyptic vision of modern living.

Two worlds – the natural and man-made – are shown in equal detail, with Reggio weaving together a dizzying, kaleidoscope of quickened visuals in his production.

What makes the film, though, is Philip Glass’ operatic score.

Dictating the rhythms of editing, Glass has created a thrilling, heavenly piece of music that reverberates alongside the images Reggio provides. Building to a crescendo in the second half, images of video arcades and Pac Man snowball into a rapid-fire collection of televisual images.

Without a word, Reggio manages to convey what took Oliver Stone in Natural Born Killers two hours of sensory-bashing to achieve.

Koyaanisqatsi is the first of a trilogy conceived by Reggio. The second, Powaqqatsi, arriving five years later and the third, Naqoyatsi, is currently being prepared.

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