Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance

The title of this 1982 documentary is derived from the Hopi word that roughly translates to "life out of balance." In breaking with traditional documentary style, this one word is nearly the only word mentioned in the film's 87 minute running time. Furthermore this is not merely spoken but instead repeatedly chanted by a single basso profundo atop a lamenting phrase played by an organ. This film does not consist of words and scene, but of scene and music. Images that show the frenetic pace of our technology laden world and music that instills in the viewer a feeling of urgency and chaotic anxiety.

Koyannisqatsi is not a film about technology's effect on human life and culture. This film is, as any great work of art is, intentionally open ended to allow the viewer to see what he wants to see. In it simplest terms this film depicts human life immersed in technology. It is not forcing an opinion on the viewer or attempting to settle some battle between the human and the machine. Instead it shows, for better or for worse, condition of everyone in our society: simultaneously benefiting and suffering as a result of technology. Godfrey Reggio, the films producer and director describes his film in the following way:

"these films have never been about the effect of technology, of industry on people. It's been that everyone: politics, education, things of the financial structure, the nation state structure, language, the culture, religion, all of that exists within the host of technology. So it's not the effect of, it's that everything exists within [technology]. It's not that we use technology, we live technology. Technology has become as ubiquitous as the air we breathe..."

The film is the result of a strong collaboration between Reggio and American minimalist composer Philip Glass. Glass' compositional style, using electronic synthesizers combined with organic strings and voice playing endlessly repeating ostinato figures, fits perfectly with the subject and themes of the movie adding a new dimension to the superb cinematography. Due to this close cooperation between director and composer, this film and soundtrack positively compliment each other, producing an experience of deep emotional impact and cultural significance. So much so that the U.S. Library of Congress accepted this film into the National Film Registry in 2000.

Koyaanisqatsi and its soundtrack are both currently available through bookstores and are part of a trilogy of "Qatsi" (meaning "life") films Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi.