Naqoyqatsi is a 2002 American non-narrative film directed by Godfrey Reggio and edited by Jon Kane, with music composed by Philip Glass. It is the third and final installment in the Qatsi trilogy.

The title comes from the Hopi word meaning "life of war". In the film's closing credits, the title is also translated as "civilized violence" and "a life of killing each other".

Synopsis

According to Reggio, the film has no screenplay per se, but three movements (like those of a symphony) with different themes:

  1. Numerica.com: Language and place gives way to numerical code and virtual reality.
  2. Circus maximus: Competition, winning, records, fame, “fair play” and the love of money are elevated to the prime values of life. Life becomes a game.
  3. Rocketship twentieth century: A world that language can no longer describe. The resulting explosive tempo of technology is war and civilized violence.

Production

The September 11 attacks against the World Trade Center took place very close to the film's production studio, impacting the content of the film and further convincing the crew of the importance of its subject.

Release and reception

The film was released on DVD by Miramax on October 14, 2003.

The Criterion Collection released this as part of the Qatsi trilogy on December 11, 2012.

Rotten Tomatoes reported that 48% out of 52 reviews were positive with the average score of 5.82/10, and the consensus saying that it is "the weakest film in Reggio's trilogy".

See also

  • Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
  • Chronos (1985)
  • Powaqqatsi (1988)
  • Baraka (1992)
  • Samsara (2011)

References

Notes

Citations

  • The Trilogy's Home Page
  • The Qatsi Trilogy: Celebration and Warning an essay by Scott MacDonald at the Criterion Collection