Yes, I review films ocassionally on "The Journey with Grace." They are films that strike me as poignant, artful, funny, that communicate an important message and/or deal with autism/disAbility. I share them when I feel they are worth your viewing, too. But, the trilogy that I am highlighting today and the next two Tuesdays during April, which, of course, is Earth Month, is honestly the most heart- breaking-grabbing- and chakkra-shaking, gorgeous, disturbing and important film series I have ever seen in my life! I have watched each numerous times starting with a friend's clue-in when PBS featured the first in the series in during the mid-80s. (I rarely read any book or view any film more than once.) I was hooked. Enthralled. A forever enthusiast. It wasn't until my friendship with filmmaker Jon Kent that I was reunited with the series and saw the two subsequent films. For years I've urged a local earth movement group to show this film. Everyone "needs" to see "Koyaanisqatsi," the first in the Qatsi series. Watch this two-minute trailor:
The backstory: "Koyaanisqatsi" is a Hopi Indian word that means, in essence, if we destroy the world, it will destroy us. (Seem a bit familiar?) The subtitle of this first in the trilogy is "Life Out of Balance." The team that created it is nothing short of BRILLIANT! As is the film itself. Director Godfrey Reggio joined a Catholic order of monks as a teen and then left in his early 20s because he believed he could make more of a difference out in the world. (Has he ever!) In the late 70s, Reggio began the series, teaming with composer Philip Glass and filmmaker Ron Fricke. Most of the film is either time-lapsed or slow motion and there are no words, just the typical heart-thrilling compositions of Glass and an ominous chant of the word eponoymous with the film title and imagery that, honestly, needs no verbiage. (I promise its' palatable.)
In slow motion the viewer sees the world as what it might have looked like in it's natural formation and then the painful degradation of humankind's destructive inventions and distortionist lifestyle which is klling Mother Earth. Incredibly moving. Shocking.
Please watch this film. You can order it from Netflix or purchase it from Amazon. You, too, will be haunted and become a fan. And, you'll thank me. There. I've said it….I've been wanting to share this series with you for a long time. Earth month presented the perfect timing.
That timing collides with the launch of the annual Nashville Film Festival. Oh, the choices! I've been studying the schedules. Yummy! I hope you'll also take advantage of this wonderful opportunity in our fabulous city. #IheartNashville
I’m not much of a Mother Earth person, I heart the Earth and all – we need it – but you know me, I have only one PARENT. And we DO only have one Earth – but she’s awfully resilient and we can’t destroy her – the worst we could do is wipe ourselves out – Earth would make a spectacular comeback in just a few years. All this being said – maybe I should move to Nashville – so I could go see movies with someone I heart. Just sayin’ 🙂
Dear Craig…you are my friend. We agree to disagree about spiritual matters, often. And to me this is a spiritual matter. When my head stops spinning from this wild month with GraceArt, I will attempt to respond intelligently how I could not disagree more with your response here. Submitted in loving kindness.