Koyaanisqatsi at NYUAD Arts Center

I first watched Koyaanisqatsi (Godfrey Reggio, 1982) last February at the second edition of Al Sidr Film Festival founded by Nezar Andary.

Last night, I watched it again at NYUAD Arts Center, it was a screening accompanied with live singing and music performed by Philip Glass Ensemble. It was followed by a discussion with the musicians moderated by Nezar Andary. Some members of the ensemble have been performing this music for decades, so it was great to hear them discuss their relationship with the film and the music.

It felt like a nice full circle for Andary, and I wish the conversation between them went on for much longer. 


Koyaanisqatsi is an astonishing film about the human condition that will never age. 

Ko.yaa.nis.qatsi (from the Hopi language), n. 

1. Crazy life. 

2. Life in turmoil. 

3. Life disintegrating. 

4. Life out of balance. 

5. A state of life that calls for another way of living.



Film stills via FILMGRAB.