POWAQQATSI (MOVIE)
Original release: April 29, 1988
Running time: 99 minutes
Director: Godfrey Reggio
Composer: Philip Glass
Composer: Philip Glass
POWAQQATSI=life in transition
Shows us the Third World cultures of Asia, India, Africa, the Middle East and South America caught in a conflict between the old ways of life and the new ways introduced by industrialization.
This one is also wordless, but with a musical score provided once again by Philip Glass using native, classical and electronic instruments from the countries visited, it has a strong story to tell.
SCENE ONE:
The first images Reggio shows us are of men from a gold mine in Brazil carrying bags of dirt. It’s back-breaking work and the men are drenched in mud as they make their way with Glass’ joyous and tribal score accompanying them.
"The Dream"
Reggio also observes how these cultures move to a universal drumbeat that’s slowly being drowned out and replaced with the sounds of industrialisation as the rest of the world is forced, and is struggling, to catch up with capitalism.
Final Note:
This film calls into question everything we think we know about contemporary society. By juxtaposing images of ancient cultures with those of modern life, Powaqqatsi masterfully portrays the human cost of progress.
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