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Koyaanisqatsi

Play trailer Poster for Koyaanisqatsi Released Nov 11, 2004 1h 27m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Drawing its title from the Hopi word meaning "life out of balance," this renowned documentary reveals how humanity has grown apart from nature. Featuring extensive footage of natural landscapes and elemental forces, the film gives way to many scenes of modern civilization and technology. Given its lack of narration and dialogue, the production makes its points solely through imagery and music, with many scenes either slowed down or sped up for dramatic effect.
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Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi

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Critics Consensus

Koyaanisqatsi combines striking visuals and a brilliant score to produce a viewing experience that manages to be formally daring as well as purely entertaining.

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Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Koyaanisqatsi is an impressive visual and listening experience. Rated: 3/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Tim Brayton Alternate Ending Crafting a way of seeing the world that is fresh and new. Rated: 5/5 Oct 27, 2023 Full Review Wael Khairy The Cinephile Fix “Koyaanisqatsi” is one of the most eye-opening works of art created in the late 20th century. Mar 31, 2023 Full Review Lisa Nesselson France24 Seeing it again actually brought tears to my eyes. Sep 26, 2018 Full Review David N. Butterworth La Movie Boeuf "Well now, that music was *very* foreboding; it made a shiver go right down my spine." Rated: 3.5/4 Aug 22, 2017 Full Review Michael Dequina TheMovieReport.com Rated: 4/5 Jan 11, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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T B I'm surprised this film is so highly rated and well reviewed. I think this may be the worst; most boring movie I have ever seen. There is absolutely no dialogue or narration aside from the title of the film forboadinly repeated mutiple times. I should say I did not choose to watch this; it was part of an English class I was taking. However that made it all the worse as I was forced to sit through the whole boring thing. Honestly dont watch this. Go outside, see a friend, life’s to short to watch a film that cant even be bothered to add narration. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review Maxwell D This is in the middle. It's very interesting, but no dialogue kinda ruins the purpose of a documentary. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review Audience Member Ron Fricke's work is amazing hope to see what he's making next. It's amazing to see 80's in higher quality. It's Earth's decadebook. I even listen to the Phillip Glass Soundtrack frequently. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Pantera O "Koyaanisqatsi" Una especie se ha apropiado del mundo, destruyendo todo a su alrededor. Impactante. Aterrada. Profunda. 6...66. Sin seguir una narrativa convencional, comparte una serie de imágenes con gran calidad visual del medio ambiente yla intervención del hombre, acompañada de música minimalista. Una increíble produccion para ser de los años 80. Violencia y autodestrucción. No es fácil de ver. Te hace sentir el mundo como si vinieras de una galaxia lejana. La empecé a ver a las 23:52, ya estaba cansado y pestañe a la mitad, pero el espíritu de la película me despertó. ¿Porque nunca habia escuchado de esta obra maestra? Somos una plaga. Técnica: 9.6 Expresión: 9.2 Efecto: 8.8 Experiencia: 8.4 Calificación: 9.0/10 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/08/24 Full Review Frank M "I don't like what's on the television. It's making me sick" Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/24/24 Full Review Leo E 0:00 - 0:05 - "wow this is a beautiful commentary on the futility of longing for the past and how tragic and melancholy it would be if you ever got there" 0:05 - 1:21 - "living in the city sucks" Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Koyaanisqatsi

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Cast & Crew

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Godfrey Reggio

Director

Ron Fricke

Writer

Michael Hoenig

Writer

Francis Ford Coppola

Executive Producer

Godfrey Reggio

Producer

Philip Glass

Original Music

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Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi (1982) Koyaanisqatsi (1982) Koyaanisqatsi (1982) Koyaanisqatsi (1982) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Drawing its title from the Hopi word meaning "life out of balance," this renowned documentary reveals how humanity has grown apart from nature. Featuring extensive footage of natural landscapes and elemental forces, the film gives way to many scenes of modern civilization and technology. Given its lack of narration and dialogue, the production makes its points solely through imagery and music, with many scenes either slowed down or sped up for dramatic effect.
Director
Godfrey Reggio
Producer
Godfrey Reggio
Screenwriter
Ron Fricke, Michael Hoenig
Distributor
Island Alive
Production Co
IRE Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 17, 2016
Runtime
1h 27m
Sound Mix
Surround
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