Koyaanisqatsi

If you were asked to create a film of scenes of outstanding natural beauty and urban decay, Godfrey Reggio’s film to accompany Philip Glass’ composition would be along the lines of your final product. Disappointing yes, but accompanied by the haunting chanting and piercing keyboards of the Philip Glass Ensemble it still raises the question of whether urban objects can be beautiful.

Part of a series of three films produced by Reggio and scored by Glass, Koyaanisqatsi is the first of the Qatsi Trilogy, made in 1982. It is translated from Hopi as Life out of Balance, a clear indicator of the film’s message, despite Reggio’s claim it has no specific meaning. The sudden shift from vast dunes and sparkling waters to a series of buildings collapsing is jolting and judgemental.

The eerie, deep chanting of the line “Koyaanisqatsi” is almost disembodied, and hymnal in nature. The at times whining keyboards cut across the deep resonance of the chanting, and becomes organ like as crescendos build.

It is certainly a treat to have Philip Glass perform live during this performance and the composition is all-encompassing and hauls you in. It is a shame that the Ensemble is not otherwise engaging, in that it may that a pre-recorded showing would not be much different.