MovieChat Forums > Powaqqatsi (1988) Discussion > Wonderful film

Wonderful film

posted 19 years ago by Deccus
3 replies | jump to latest

Truly this film has stepped to a higher plane than Koyaanisqatsi. From the extremely long shots to reccuring themes played in the beginning to the very end.
You actually see these people working together, to live and celebrate their own identity together. But upon being influenced by Western culture, they lose their own faces, their own beliefs, their own identity.
This film took me three watchings to finally grasp what it was Reggio was trying to say, that with this entity, Western culture, many are forced to realize that they are out of place in a progressive state. Their focuses, their prayer, their desires are all thwarted to fit this redundant piece of living. I can never look at my world the same again. I am totally numbed by the fact that this already happened to me and is me, that I am part of the redundant cycle to a meaningless contribution of my life. I think as though no human being is unique, but a part of this entity that wants everyone to be part of it, that wants everyone to be the same, feel the same, talk the same, live the same and think the same. Watching this movie showed me years of development to realize insanity in the span of a few hours. I ask, if others have seen this film and the enitre trilogy, why has nothing overcome this plague upon the human individual? I only live in the attic of my own mind, but everyday, mass-man impedes closer and closer inside and soon enough, I won't be allowed to live their anymore.

[–] raycastro 18 years ago

great post

[–] Green_Death 18 years ago

I wouldn't blame Western culture, I'd blame industrialisation.

One of the best examples of a culture evolving beyond its own original cultural beliefs is surely China.

China wants to modernise, not Westernise. The strong parallel that is sometimes drawn between industrialisation and Westernisation is contentious. Although it does occur in this film.

The fact that the West industrialised first does not mean it is morally responsible for the industrialisation of other countries.

It is worth noting that Japan and the Soviet Union also experienced massive industrialisation in the 20th century and they too served as a model for third world countries.

But I'm not an expert and I would be interested to hear other people's opinions.

[–] Kinematico 17 years ago

I wouldn't blame Western culture, I'd blame industrialisation.

The industrial revolution started in the so called "western world". In England to be exact.
If not for the western world the the industrialization phenomenon never would have happened. Or at least wouldn't have happened in the same way.

But we shouldn't demonize the industrialization. Certainly the savage consumism, something that wouldn't be possible without the industrialization, is destroying our world: polluting it, destroying woods and entire habitats in order to supply the artificially created "needs" from the 1st world population and the upper classes from 3rd world countries.
But industrialization and technology have also helped us in many ways. i.e: Back in the XVIII century the life expectancy was only about 40 yo. Now is about 75-80 yo. Even in the poorest countries the life expectancy has increased.

The world is now interconnected thru internet and other media. Now IF we want, we can know more about people from distant countries in order to understand them better. Sadly quite often that is not the case. In this very site surely you have read the more hideous racial and xenophobic slurs.

The industralization has also produced the instruments that helped to put an end to pandemias that killed millions in the past. Sadly it have also allowed us to kill the same ammount of people dropping just one bomb.

I could go on and on. But in short what I'm trying to say is that Western world might be the culprit of many of the problems that are happening right now in our world, but those countries can also stop this insane process. Actually they are the only ones who can stop it.

We must "Humanize" the techonology and industry. We have to be less selfish and more helpful with each other. An Utopia? Perhaps, but probably is the only way to follow from now on because the alternative might not be something "nice" but a dystopia.

The fact that a single city like "Las Vegas" consumes (or better said "wastes") more energy than entire countries makes you think that something is quite wrong.

The industrialization could be our enemy but also could be our best ally. We can choose, or can't we?