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Koyaanisqatsi / Powaqqatsi (2 Pack)

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 413 ratings
IMDb7.2/10.0

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Format NTSC, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound
Contributor Ken Richards, Lou Dobbs, Christie Brinkley, Alton Walpole, Glass, Philip, Ron Fricke, David Brinkley, George Lucas, Kurt Munkacsi, Dan Rather, Mandeep Kakkar, Godfrey Reggio, Cheryl Tiegs, Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Hoenig, Lawrence Taub, Ted Koppel, Pope John Paul II See more
Language English
Runtime 3 hours and 4 minutes
UPC 027616880338
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Product Description

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Koyaanisqatsi
First-time filmmaker Godfrey Reggio's experimental documentary from 1983--shot mostly in the desert Southwest and New York City on a tiny budget with no script, then attracting the support of Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas and enlisting the indispensable musical contribution of Philip Glass--delighted college students on the midnight circuit and fans of minimalism for many years. Meanwhile, its techniques, merging cinematographer Ron Fricke's time-lapse shots (alternately peripatetic and hyperspeed) with Glass's reiterative music (from the meditative to the orgiastic)--as well as its ecology-minded imagery--crept into the consciousness of popular culture. The influence of
Koyaanisqatsi, or "life out of balance," has by now become unmistakable in television advertisements, music videos, and, of course, similar movies such as Fricke's own Chronos and Craig McCourry's Apogee. Reggio shot a sequel, Powaqqatsi (1988), and completed the trilogy with Naqoyqatsi (2002). Koyaanisqatsi provides the uninitiated the chance to see where it all started--along with an intense audiovisual rush.

Powaqqatsi
Powaqqatsi (1988), or "life in transformation," is the second part of a trilogy of experimental documentaries whose titles derive from Hopi compound nouns. The now legendary Koyaanisqatsi (1983), or "life out of balance," was the first. Naqoyqatsi (2002), or "life in war," was the third. Powaqqatsi finds director Godfrey Reggio somewhat more directly polemical than before, and his major collaborator, the composer Philip Glass, stretching to embrace world music. Reggio reuses techniques familiar from the previous film (slow motion, time-lapse, superposition) to dramatize the effects of the so-called First World on the Third: displacement, pollution, alienation. But he spends as much time beautifully depicting what various cultures have lost--cooperative living, a sense of joy in labor, and religious values--as he does confronting viewers with trains, airliners, coal cars, and loneliness. What had been a more or less peaceful, slow-moving, spiritually fulfilling rural existence for these "silent" people (all we hear is music and sound effects) becomes a crowded, suffocating, accelerating industrial urban hell, from Peru to Pakistan. Reggio frames Powaqqatsi with a telling image: the Serra Pelada gold mines, where thousands of men, their clothes and skin imbued with the earth they're moving, carry wet bags up steep slopes in a Sisyphean effort to provide wealth for their employers. While Glass juxtaposes his strangely joyful music, which includes the voices of South American children, a number of these men carry one of their exhausted comrades out of the pit, his head back and arms outstretched--one more sacrifice to Caesar. Nevertheless, Reggio, a former member of the Christian Brothers, seems to maintain hope for renewal. --Robert Burns Neveldine

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.85:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ G (General Audience)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches; 4 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Godfrey Reggio
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 3 hours and 4 minutes
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Lou Dobbs, Ted Koppel, Christie Brinkley, David Brinkley, Pope John Paul II
  • Producers ‏ : ‎ Godfrey Reggio, Alton Walpole, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Kurt Munkacsi
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ MGM (Video & DVD)
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00003CXAY
  • Writers ‏ : ‎ Godfrey Reggio, Alton Walpole, Ken Richards, Michael Hoenig, Ron Fricke
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 413 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
413 global ratings
One of the best creative unions between a visionary director and a brilliant composer ever
5 Stars
One of the best creative unions between a visionary director and a brilliant composer ever
Last week, I watched for the firs time Qatsi trilogy, which includes the films Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, and Naqoyqatsi. All of the film titles are taken from the Hopi language; Koyaanisquatsi meaning "life out of balance," Powaqqatsi meaning "life in transformation," and Naqoyqatsi meaning "life as war.The films were made by Godfrey Reggio and the music score which plays as important role as the images do, was written by Philipp Glass.The films have no spoken dialogue or plot and have to be experienced viscerally first, and then analyzed because everyone sees different in them. For some viewers - they are glorified long music videos, for the others - the revelation that may change the way we perceive ourselves as human kind and our place on Earth.As for me, personally, I realized that the collaboration between Reggio and Glass may be one of the best creative unions between a visionary director and a brilliant composer ever.Of three Qatsi movies, my favorite is certainly, Powaqqatsi, and I know I'll come back to it many times more until my last day because it is not just a gorgeous movie with amazing images; it is one of very precious experiences that happen rarely in life. What made this experience possible is above all and without doubt the MUSIC. It was not the first music by Philip Glass I heard. I like his minimalistic and somehow disturbing scores that go right to your senses for "The Hours", "Notes of the Scandal", and "The Illusionist" (2006). Powaqqatsi was the second movie in Reggio's "Qatsi" trilogy for me. Just before it, I saw "Koyaanisqatsi" (1982) or Life out of Balance", the first of three Reggio-Glass movies. I like "Koyaanisqatsi" very much but I think it is the images that make it so memorable. "Powaqqatsi" for me, is about Glass's magnificent, un-earthy, divine and literally uplifting and transcending score. It is the music that could've been played after God had finished his work of creation and looked down at Earth and saw that it was good. I am a music lover, and I love music of different genres, epochs, and cultures. I enjoy listening to Mozart and Beatles, Nino Rota and Metallica, Zamphir and Scott Joplin, Bob Dylan and Lucianno Pavarotti, Bach and Edith Piaf. I love them all but I don't recall ever being so moved and taken out of this reality, feeling happy and overwhelmed, proud to be able to witness and enjoy the incredible achievement of human creativity and genius as when I was watching and listening to three "Anthems" and "Mosque and Temple" scenes of "Powwaqatsi: Life in Transformation". I don't buy the DVDs very often, I am not a collector but when the movie leaves unforgettable impression, when it brings something amazing into my life, I have to have it. I already ordered and received both, "Koyaanisqatsi" and "Powwaqatsi" on DVDs and I keep rewatching my favorite scenes and the music has the same impact at me making tears of joy coming to my eyes every time I hear the majestic hypnotic triumphant sounds of music written by Phillip Glass.I would like to add the words of one of my favorite writers. They match perfectly the feelings and emotions the film has evoked in me:"Mother Earth. She lived, this world of trees and rivers and rocks with deep stone thoughts. She breathed, had feelings, dreamed dreams, gave birth, laughed, and grew contemplative for millennia. This great creature swimming in the sea of space. What a wonder thought the man, for he had never understood that the Earth was his mother, before this. He had never understood, before this that the Earth had a life of its own, at once part of mankind and quite separated from mankind, another with a life of her own."Harlan Ellison "The Deathbird"
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2008
Last week, I watched for the firs time Qatsi trilogy, which includes the films Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, and Naqoyqatsi. All of the film titles are taken from the Hopi language; Koyaanisquatsi meaning "life out of balance," Powaqqatsi meaning "life in transformation," and Naqoyqatsi meaning "life as war.

The films were made by Godfrey Reggio and the music score which plays as important role as the images do, was written by Philipp Glass.

The films have no spoken dialogue or plot and have to be experienced viscerally first, and then analyzed because everyone sees different in them. For some viewers - they are glorified long music videos, for the others - the revelation that may change the way we perceive ourselves as human kind and our place on Earth.

As for me, personally, I realized that the collaboration between Reggio and Glass may be one of the best creative unions between a visionary director and a brilliant composer ever.

Of three Qatsi movies, my favorite is certainly, Powaqqatsi, and I know I'll come back to it many times more until my last day because it is not just a gorgeous movie with amazing images; it is one of very precious experiences that happen rarely in life. What made this experience possible is above all and without doubt the MUSIC. It was not the first music by Philip Glass I heard. I like his minimalistic and somehow disturbing scores that go right to your senses for "The Hours", "Notes of the Scandal", and "The Illusionist" (2006). Powaqqatsi was the second movie in Reggio's "Qatsi" trilogy for me. Just before it, I saw "Koyaanisqatsi" (1982) or Life out of Balance", the first of three Reggio-Glass movies. I like "Koyaanisqatsi" very much but I think it is the images that make it so memorable. "Powaqqatsi" for me, is about Glass's magnificent, un-earthy, divine and literally uplifting and transcending score. It is the music that could've been played after God had finished his work of creation and looked down at Earth and saw that it was good. I am a music lover, and I love music of different genres, epochs, and cultures. I enjoy listening to Mozart and Beatles, Nino Rota and Metallica, Zamphir and Scott Joplin, Bob Dylan and Lucianno Pavarotti, Bach and Edith Piaf. I love them all but I don't recall ever being so moved and taken out of this reality, feeling happy and overwhelmed, proud to be able to witness and enjoy the incredible achievement of human creativity and genius as when I was watching and listening to three "Anthems" and "Mosque and Temple" scenes of "Powwaqatsi: Life in Transformation". I don't buy the DVDs very often, I am not a collector but when the movie leaves unforgettable impression, when it brings something amazing into my life, I have to have it. I already ordered and received both, "Koyaanisqatsi" and "Powwaqatsi" on DVDs and I keep rewatching my favorite scenes and the music has the same impact at me making tears of joy coming to my eyes every time I hear the majestic hypnotic triumphant sounds of music written by Phillip Glass.

I would like to add the words of one of my favorite writers. They match perfectly the feelings and emotions the film has evoked in me:

"Mother Earth. She lived, this world of trees and rivers and rocks with deep stone thoughts. She breathed, had feelings, dreamed dreams, gave birth, laughed, and grew contemplative for millennia. This great creature swimming in the sea of space. What a wonder thought the man, for he had never understood that the Earth was his mother, before this. He had never understood, before this that the Earth had a life of its own, at once part of mankind and quite separated from mankind, another with a life of her own."
Harlan Ellison "The Deathbird"
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best creative unions between a visionary director and a brilliant composer ever
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2008
Last week, I watched for the firs time Qatsi trilogy, which includes the films Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, and Naqoyqatsi. All of the film titles are taken from the Hopi language; Koyaanisquatsi meaning "life out of balance," Powaqqatsi meaning "life in transformation," and Naqoyqatsi meaning "life as war.

The films were made by Godfrey Reggio and the music score which plays as important role as the images do, was written by Philipp Glass.

The films have no spoken dialogue or plot and have to be experienced viscerally first, and then analyzed because everyone sees different in them. For some viewers - they are glorified long music videos, for the others - the revelation that may change the way we perceive ourselves as human kind and our place on Earth.

As for me, personally, I realized that the collaboration between Reggio and Glass may be one of the best creative unions between a visionary director and a brilliant composer ever.

Of three Qatsi movies, my favorite is certainly, Powaqqatsi, and I know I'll come back to it many times more until my last day because it is not just a gorgeous movie with amazing images; it is one of very precious experiences that happen rarely in life. What made this experience possible is above all and without doubt the MUSIC. It was not the first music by Philip Glass I heard. I like his minimalistic and somehow disturbing scores that go right to your senses for "The Hours", "Notes of the Scandal", and "The Illusionist" (2006). Powaqqatsi was the second movie in Reggio's "Qatsi" trilogy for me. Just before it, I saw "Koyaanisqatsi" (1982) or Life out of Balance", the first of three Reggio-Glass movies. I like "Koyaanisqatsi" very much but I think it is the images that make it so memorable. "Powaqqatsi" for me, is about Glass's magnificent, un-earthy, divine and literally uplifting and transcending score. It is the music that could've been played after God had finished his work of creation and looked down at Earth and saw that it was good. I am a music lover, and I love music of different genres, epochs, and cultures. I enjoy listening to Mozart and Beatles, Nino Rota and Metallica, Zamphir and Scott Joplin, Bob Dylan and Lucianno Pavarotti, Bach and Edith Piaf. I love them all but I don't recall ever being so moved and taken out of this reality, feeling happy and overwhelmed, proud to be able to witness and enjoy the incredible achievement of human creativity and genius as when I was watching and listening to three "Anthems" and "Mosque and Temple" scenes of "Powwaqatsi: Life in Transformation". I don't buy the DVDs very often, I am not a collector but when the movie leaves unforgettable impression, when it brings something amazing into my life, I have to have it. I already ordered and received both, "Koyaanisqatsi" and "Powwaqatsi" on DVDs and I keep rewatching my favorite scenes and the music has the same impact at me making tears of joy coming to my eyes every time I hear the majestic hypnotic triumphant sounds of music written by Phillip Glass.

I would like to add the words of one of my favorite writers. They match perfectly the feelings and emotions the film has evoked in me:

"Mother Earth. She lived, this world of trees and rivers and rocks with deep stone thoughts. She breathed, had feelings, dreamed dreams, gave birth, laughed, and grew contemplative for millennia. This great creature swimming in the sea of space. What a wonder thought the man, for he had never understood that the Earth was his mother, before this. He had never understood, before this that the Earth had a life of its own, at once part of mankind and quite separated from mankind, another with a life of her own."
Harlan Ellison "The Deathbird"
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Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2023
Having learned about these videos in college, I actually purchased these videos from Amazon many years ago. "Koyaanisqatsi - Life out of Balance" was shown in an architectural design studio and years later I was thrilled to find it on Amazon.
Frankly I don't really care for the "Powaqqatsi" movie. I just seems dark, depressing and political, where I feel like "Koyaanisqatsi" is more of an artistic piece that allows one to interpret it in a positive or negative way.
I think it's an unusual work of art that studies the patterns of man versus nature. The most important message it reveals through the patterns is that no matter how much man changes the earth's environment the earth eventually outlasts man, erasing his blight as the earth rejuvenates and heals itself.
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2002
My father introduced me to Koyaanisqatsi. He gave me a copy on VHS and told me it was a "coffee table" film - the cinematic equivalent of a beautiful picture book that you pick up every so often and enjoy flipping through. He was both right and wrong. Yes, it presents striking images and music void of narrative, character, dialog, or traditional 3-act structure - but by no means is it for casual browsing. Koyaanisqatsi is, in fact, the essence of "pure cinema" - a work of art that simply could not exist in any other medium. It is as arresting, lyrical, awe-inspiring, emotionally satisfying, and intellectually challenging as any film could be.
To try describing it further would be folly, about like saying that the Mona Lisa is a piece of stretched canvas with dried, oil-suspended pigments stuck to it. As director Godfrey Reggio says in a wonderful interview included on the DVD, an audience gets from it what they bring to it. More than the sum of its parts, Koyaanisqatsi is an evocative and haunting meditation on nature, technology, social politics, mass media, consumerism, pop culture - and perhaps whatever else you care to read into it.
Long unavailable, it is gratifying to see both Koyaanisqatsi and its sequel, Powaqqatsi finally offered together on two magnificently produced DVDs. What can be said of one film can be said of the other: they are the same, yet different, like two movements in the same piece of music. One film complements and expands upon the other. Where Koyaanisqatsi seems preoccupied with the technological revolution in the so-called "first world" and its devastating effect on the Western psyche, Powaqqatsi is its inversion - a celebration of rich cultures and vivid lives led by people paradoxically struggling under the burden of crushing poverty in the Third World.
Taken together, the films seem to suggest a philosophical conundrum: comfort, wealth, and ubiquitous technology spell the death of the human soul - while societies in transition from agrarian to technological, despite horrendous conditions and back-breaking labor, are fertile ground for authentic compassion, artistic expression, and spirituality.
But again, words are inadequate. Minimalist composer Philip Glass' score, fused with cinematographer Ron Fricke's brilliant images, waxes far more eloquent on these matters than I could ever hope to in this review. For the price, these two DVDs are a rare bargain for those who appreciate fine art. For students of cinema or would-be film makers, they are essential.

Top reviews from other countries

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Carl Eardley
5.0 out of 5 stars This “movie” takes you on a journey.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2024
This was recommended to me by a friend. I didn’t know what to expect but I was curious. This film was made in 1979 and released in 1982. It shows how the human race has come from nothing and takes you on a journey into modern day (1982)

The music was a stand out feature for me while watching this and it stirred up a multitude of feelings for me.

Some people will say it’s rubbish and not for them while others, like myself will find some meaning behind the film.

Overall I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I watched it.
Buttilione
5.0 out of 5 stars Must have
Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2017
Transfer is good. Marvelous photography. Poignant imagery. Mind melting music. A must have.
Karl
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy recomendado.
Reviewed in Spain on November 6, 2015
Las 2 primeras de la serie QATSI, de un tipo de cine "experimental" que hacia muchos años que no se hacia, solo imagenes y musica.
La calidad de imagen es buena pero sin llegar al nivel de definicion y color de SAMSARA/BARAKA, que fueron filmadas en 70 mm.
Excelentes para quien le guste un tipo de cine diferente.
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Marcello Di Fiore
5.0 out of 5 stars Dittico Qatsi
Reviewed in Italy on December 4, 2014
Il genio di Godfrey Reggio ha dato vita ad un nuovo genere cinematografico e documentaristico. Durante la visione dei due straordinari lungometraggi davvero non si avverte la mancanza di dialoghi, a parlare è la nostra coscienza. Ad esaltare la bellezza delle immagini, sapientemente scelte, la musica straordinaria, sopratutto in Powaqqatsi, di Philip Glass.
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六ちゃん
5.0 out of 5 stars 最高の映画です!
Reviewed in Japan on June 4, 2004
この映画と他に、「BARAKA」という映画を見てます。もう言うことナシ!ですよ。言葉では言い表せないことを映像で表現しています。音楽と映像だけで、こんなに表現が出来るものかと。。内心びっくりしています。一度見ると再度みたいという欲望にかられます。一度は見てもいい映画だと私は思います。
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