Naqoyqatsi (2002)
Godfrey Reggio's hypnotic final chapter of the Qatsi trilogy confronts a civilization consumed by technology, spectacle, and violence.
Naqoyqatsi - Movie Information
- Original Title: Naqoyqatsi
- Release Year: 2002
- Directed by: Godfrey Reggio
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 2, 2002 (United States - PG)
- Alternative Titles: Naqoyqatsi - Vida em Guerra (BR), Naqoyqatsi: Life as War (US), Naqoyqatsi - Leben ist Krieg (DE), 나코이카시 (KR)
- Production Companies: Santa Fe Institute for Regional Education, Qatsi Productions, IRE Productions, Miramax
- Production Countries: United States of America
Naqoyqatsi - Plot
A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.
Naqoyqatsi - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and experience Reggio's striking visual world:
Life as war
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Naqoyqatsi - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Godfrey Reggio
Main Cast
- Marlon Brando
- Elton John
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Madonna
- Adolf Hitler
- Bill Clinton
- Fidel Castro
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Ronald Reagan
- Paul McCartney
Producers
- Lawrence Taub
- Joe Beirne
- Godfrey Reggio
Naqoyqatsi - FAQs
What is Naqoyqatsi about?
Naqoyqatsi is a wordless, non-narrative documentary by Godfrey Reggio that uses digitally manipulated imagery and archive footage to portray a world overtaken by technology, globalization, and violence. The title comes from the Hopi language and translates roughly to 'life as war,' which captures the film's haunting central thesis.
What does the title Naqoyqatsi mean?
The title is a Hopi word meaning 'life as war' or 'civilized violence.' It's the third entry in Godfrey Reggio's Qatsi trilogy, following Koyaanisqatsi (1982) and Powaqqatsi (1988). Each film uses a Hopi word as its title to frame a meditation on humanity's relationship with the modern world.
Where can you stream or watch Naqoyqatsi?
You can rent or buy Naqoyqatsi on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and JustWatch TV. It's widely available for digital rental, so finding a copy shouldn't be a problem no matter which platform you prefer.
Is Naqoyqatsi the final film in the Qatsi trilogy?
Yes, Naqoyqatsi is the third and final chapter in Godfrey Reggio's celebrated Qatsi trilogy. Koyaanisqatsi (1982) examined nature versus industrialization, Powaqqatsi (1988) turned its lens on the developing world, and Naqoyqatsi completes the arc by confronting the digital age and the violence embedded in modern civilization.
Who composed the music for Naqoyqatsi?
The score was composed by Philip Glass, who collaborated with Godfrey Reggio on all three Qatsi films. For Naqoyqatsi, Glass's music is performed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, giving the soundtrack an especially intimate and mournful quality that perfectly complements the film's digitally altered visual landscape.
How was Naqoyqatsi received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Many praised Philip Glass's score and Reggio's ambition, but some felt the heavy digital manipulation of imagery was visually overwhelming compared to the raw beauty of the earlier Qatsi films. It holds a modest rating on Rotten Tomatoes, appreciated more as an art piece than a conventional documentary.
Does Naqoyqatsi feature any famous figures?
The film is built almost entirely from archive footage, weaving together images of figures like Marlon Brando, Madonna, Elton John, Martin Luther King Jr., Adolf Hitler, Fidel Castro, and Ronald Reagan. None appear in new footage — their presence is part of Reggio's collage exploring celebrity, power, and the spectacle of modern life.
Is Naqoyqatsi based on a true story or real events?
Rather than documenting a single event, Naqoyqatsi draws on the real fabric of contemporary history. It assembles actual news footage, cultural imagery, and digital data to construct a broader argument about civilization itself. Think of it less as a factual report and more as a poetic essay on the world we've collectively built.
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