Koyaanisqatsi, Things You’re Allowed to Do, and Books About Death [July 24]
Recommendations from Me
This month I want to highlight the most impressive and ambitious visual documentaries that I’ve watched.
In Ron Fricke’s Baraka (1992) and Samsara (2011), footage from 25 countries is pieced together to illustrate the impact of rapid industrialisation, globalisation, and technological change, on different human societies. Subjects range from the dancing inmates of Cebu prison in the Philippines, to towns destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, from the busy streets of Accra, to remote monasteries in the Himalayas. They are at once a cerebral meditation on humanity’s many transformations, and an essential record of our time.
Koyaanisqatsi (1982), directed by Godfrey Reggio, was a direct inspiration on both films, and somehow presents a more pressing, and perhaps more pessimistic account of the 20th century’s drastic changes. ‘Koyaanisqatsi’ roughly translates from the Hopi language to ‘life out of balance,’ and this theme cuts across every minute of the documentary. The carefully constructed visuals are well complemented by Philip Glass’s hypnotic and compelling score.
All of the films in this genre owe a great deal to Dziga Vertov’s (1929) Man with a Movie Camera, which was among the earliest montage documentaries. The film features a playful and energetic editing style, and offers a window into ordinary life in Kyiv, Moscow, and Odessa in the early years of the soviet union.
I’ll also give an honourable mention to Fata Morgana (1971), Werner Herzog’s visual meditation on the Sahara and Sahel deserts. Expect beautiful and long tracking shots sweeping over the sand dunes, and a fable on the topic of desert mirages. Don’t expect answers.
Recommendations from Others
David 2022
‘Before you make a big decision, make a pro-con list. Actually write it down. Ask someone who has done similar things what you should consider. Ask them what they wish someone told them before they did it.’
Tanika 2022
‘Write a short story on your notes page when your train gets delayed.’
Janika 2023
‘Milan Cvitkovic’s list of Things you’re allowed to do.’
Adnana 2023
‘Romanian gypsy music groups: Taraf de Haïdouks and Ionica Minune.’
Grace 2024
‘Two books about death, written by medics: i) When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi, ii) Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End - Atul Gawande. '
This is the thirteenth newsletter I have written, and I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to share this project with so many friends over the past year. Thank you!
