Short Take: Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi, a documentary directed by Godfrey Reggio, is a sublime film. One is tempted to describe it as a non-narrative effort, but that’s not quite accurate. The imagery has a fairly obvious theme: the beauty of the land is despoiled by the presence of humanity and its technology. But the simple (if not callow) environmental polemic is fairly easy to overlook. Reggio uses basic juxtaposition to convey the theme. It's hardly sophisticated, but he thankfully doesn't belabor the effect. What is sophisticated is his ability to shape the waves of environmental imagery into an elegant compositional whole. The shots are never static; with immobile subjects such as landscape formations and urban buildings, the camera moves for them. When there’s movement within the frame, Reggio often varies the speed with time-lapse and slow-motion techniques. The imagery never lacks for grandeur, and the visual rhythms always keep one attentive. With the counterpoint of composer Philip Glass’ gorgeous score, the film makes for a powerful immersive experience. It’s a cinematic symphony. Ron Fricke provided the breathtaking cinematography. Fricke and Alton Walpole are credited with the editing. The film is the first of a trilogy; Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi followed.