If you see only one documentary in your life, make it this one.
Koyaanisqatsi is sometimes referred to as a "poetic documentary", in that it has no dialogue, no voiceover, no interviewer or interviewee, just lights and sound. Reggio and Fricke (who would go on to direct the similarly styled
Baraka) get across their ideas on modernisation using image juxtaposition, creative compositions and an incredible score by Philip Glass (one of my favourite modern composers).
Top 3:
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| The hustle and bustle of modern life in one shot. |
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| This shot sums up the whole film. Nature seems so incredible and important until it is fully eclipsed by creations of mankind. |
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| We leave behind indications of our presence wherever we go. |
The rest:
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| Horseshoe canyon! I visited here on a tour around America; such a beautiful place. |
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| Reminds me of Woman in the Dunes. Love the odd angles created by the dunes. |
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| This is such an odd shot. The buildings completely dominate the frame, looking almost like an urban maze. |
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| This is more terrifying than most horror films I've seen. |
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| A beach that looks like the industrial wastelands from earlier. |
