Powaqqatsi by Godfrey Reggio
2006-09-20 05:06 AM | Posted by Sumangali Morhall | Permanent Link | Films
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I have long been an admirer of the film Powaqqatsi - a collection of glimpses into the cultures of the world, the common threads deftly twined together as one, by director Godfrey Reggio. It is a moving photograph album, abundant with portraits of our time.
Powaqqatsi, as a non-verbal film, is so open to the subjective interpretation of the viewer. I therefore find I receive a different experience through it now, than when I watched it a few years ago.
To me it speaks assuredly of hope, of the strength of human endeavour, and of the unity of our cultures. It seeks common denominators in humanity, reaching its source through human eyes; each glimpse a piece in the great jigsaw of the world.
The film is reality - the actors play themselves and the scenery is life. There are struggles as well as smiles, and often both are seen together: the South American woman laughing with her colleagues while hard at work sifting grain, the tiny boy and girl chatting happily in the fumes of traffic. This film opens my eyes and my heart, and makes me yet gladder to be on earth. It reminds me to be grateful I don't live the hardships of the third world, while being careful not to lose simplicity to so-called "civilisation".
The official Powaqqatsi website says:
"POWAQQATSI is a celebration of the human-scale endeavor - the craftsmanship, spiritual worship, labor and creativity that defines a particular culture. It's also a celebration of rareness - the delicate beauty in the eyes of an Indian child, the richness of a tapestry woven in Kathmandu - and yet an observation of how these societies move to a universal drumbeat."
Godfrey Reggio entered a spiritual community at age 14, but in later life chose to follow his own path while expressing the depth of his spirituality through his art. The following quotes are from an interview with Michael Dare. The first reminded me of Sri Chinmoy's teachings:
"We have the ability within ourselves to approach our source directly, because, in fact, it's within us."
About the people filmed in Powaqqatsi, Reggio says:
"I believe in the innate goodness of human beings...."
"In almost every case the person being shot was aware we were shooting them. I know it's not a new thought, but I feel that people's faces carry their souls, their characters, their individuality, their essences. The face is particularly articulate. I discovered in shooting that, unlike in industrialized countries, people are not camera conscious. They're not egobound in the same way we are, there's a genuine curiosity, the camera acts as a magnet. They're not showing off for the camera, they're simply observing, as though an alien had arrived in their presence. So the looks on people's faces were their looks, they were not directed. I feel those looks go through the camera straight to the viewer."
About the music by Philip Glass, he says:
"When saw I was going to be able to realize the concept of a non-verbal film, I looked at many composers, and of everybody I heard, the best was Philip Glass. I felt it was the most powerful because inside there was a trance rhythm...."
"I thought his music wasn't really minimalist but metamorphic in nature, it had the ability to transform. I found out that its origins were in basic Hindu chant. I had spent years doing Gregorian chant, which has a very similar pulse. Concentration is what brings power, it brings focus, and focus has the power of miracles."
Music is an essential component of any film, but especially here where there is no dialogue. Philip Glass is a cogent composer, but here his music fits by echoing the loosely unassertive nature of the film, allowing the listener to observe from their own inner world. He blends ethnic sounds with western instruments, while exploring the versatility of the human voice, to reflect the broad scope of the images.
Having revisited Powaqqatsi, I am hoping to check out other films in the non-verbal genre. SpiritOfBaraka.com is dedicated to non-verbal films, and provides in-depth reviews. I'll keep you posted, but let me know if you've seen any of them, and have any recommendations.
