Dir. Godfrey Reggio. 1982, 86 mins. DCP. Koyaanisqatsi is a ravishing visual symphony that explores the reaches of modern decay. Unprecedented in its style and approach at the time of its release in 1982, director Godfrey Reggio’s kaleidoscopic synthesis of images is just as remarkable now more than 30 years later. Glorious cinematography captures the beauty of uninhabited landscapes before plunging into the frenetic constructions of contemporary life. A scene of sunlight sparkling on cresting ocean waves seems inherently linked, and yet utterly opposed to the pulsing human tide of crowded commuters overwhelming a city street. Commercialization, pollution, congestion, and demolition echo throughout an array of incredible scenes far too numerous and nuanced to list, set to an original score by Philip Glass. Without a single word of dialogue or narration, the communication of the film lies within the assembly of the images, and within the images themselves, while their meaning lies with all of us who gaze at their splendor.

Tickets: $15 ($11 seniors and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / free for children under 3 and Museum members at the Film Lover and Kids Premium levels and above). Order tickets online. To see all films in the series, consider a $40 series pass. (Members may contact [email protected] with questions regarding online reservations.)

View the Museum’s ticketing policy here. For more information on membership and to join online, visit our membership page.

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