Kooyanisqatsi

This movie was great. Personally, I thought it allows for reflection about humankind's impact on earth. There is a subtle but distinct transition throughout the movie: earth, nature, industrialism , man, technology.

I tried to focus most of my attention on the music composition of Phillip Glass. He has an amazing ability to engage the viewer and complement each of the images shown. In the beginning, soothing and slow pieces go hand in hand with beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, mountains, and clouds. As the movie progresses, and the human aspect is introduced, the music starts accelerating and increasing in power. Almost at the end of the film, the director portrays men as machines. It almost seems that the point he was trying to get across is to show men performing mundane tasks without thinking in a world where technology has taken over. Phillip Glass' music at this point has a march feel to it, hectic but steady.

At the end, it is impossible not to think about the effects man has had on earth and raises the questions about harmony between nature and mankind. The last scenes are a bit dark: pollution, city riots, beggars, and a space rocket exploding. These images leave you in a profound state of thought.

Kooyanisqatsi reminded me of another movie I've seen called Baraka. I did a little more research on both movies and it turns out the cinematographer for Kooyanisqatsi is the director for Baraka. According to Wikipedia, both movies are often compared. I suggest Baraka to anyone who enjoyed Kooyanisqatsi.