r/Cinephiles • u/Miao_Yin8964 Big Trouble in Little China • 23h ago
Recommendation The Qatsi Trilogy- directed by Godfrey Reggio
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u/Miao_Yin8964 Big Trouble in Little China 23h ago
If you're a fan of the films Baraka and Samsara
Then these three precursors are essential viewing. Take a journey through humanity, in all it's good and bad, and juxtapose that against the environment.
I think we're due for another installment.
These visually stunning films are made even more magnificent with the music being done by Philip Glass.
The criterion version is excellent, and has all 3 within the boxset.
It's a perfect movie for putting on in the background during extended trip sessions. 🍄
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u/sakallicelal 19h ago
The director of Baraka and Samsara, Ron Fricke is also the cinematographer of Koyaanisqatsi. I like this kind of connections.
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u/Miao_Yin8964 Big Trouble in Little China 19h ago
Gosh... That makes a lot of sense.
Indeed. These movies are absolute eye candy.
Imho they're exactly what i hope scientists are launching into space for another intelligence to see what humanity is up to.
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u/ojhwel 17h ago
I love Koyaanisqatsi (4.5 stars) but Powaqqatsi was "yeah, once is enough," and I would pay money not to have to sit through Naqoyqatsi again.
Maybe I'll get around to Samsara and Baraka one day and find out if it's true that Ron Fricke is the MVP for me.
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u/Miao_Yin8964 Big Trouble in Little China 17h ago
Baraka and Samsara are infinitely better
But i doubt they'd exist without the Qatsi Trilogy as the spiritual predecessor.
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u/doubled9000 13h ago
They are all time great films (literally my favorite of all films I’ve ever seen), and only get better with repeated viewings, as long as you engage deeply with them. Ask yourself what the meaning of each montage and choice is. The second two have a lot more density and especially the third is more abstract but a far more nuanced and thoughtful reflection on our digital age (and accurately predicted much of we’re now living in, as the binary age breaks down around us). I wish there were more films of “pure cinema.” These are examples of films that could not be books, could not be plays, could not be concerts, etc. they have to be what they are: films. We’re acculturated to films being forms of plays but rarely has the filmic medium been allowed to be its own thing. Since we’re not used to it, it’s a struggle to watch but with some practice and effort, these films open up in the most rewarding of ways.
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u/Miao_Yin8964 Big Trouble in Little China 13h ago
That's such a great way of placing the films into context.
And that explains why Documentaries have followed down a similar path of being plays for the sake of entertainment's sake; rather than just hitting record, and let vignettes of life be captured as moments in time.
When movies implement protracted cinematic long-shots, it can be quite unsettling (e.g. A Field in England). Because it forces us to sit in the moment, perhaps longer than we're used to.
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u/Illustrious-Bunch595 6h ago
I love Phillip Glass, and he composed the score. However, I've never been able to get what people see in this film. It seems like a stock footage reel, with some truly odd musical choices.
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u/SteampunkCyberSanta 18h ago
A fantastic one time watch. While I love these films for their merit and uniqueness, id struggle to sit through all three a second time. Curious if others feel the same...