February 21, 2006
FEATURES
MCC film fest to show trilogy depicting world in transition
Efforts of composer, director evolve over 20 yearsOn March 2-4, Mesa Community College kicks off its third annual independent film festival at the Harkins Center Point 11 Theater in downtown Tempe.
This year the college will be airing the powerful “Qatsi Trilogy” written by Godfrey Reggio.
Each film is a virtual music video, a photo depiction overlaid with music, showing viewers the affects modern technology has on cultures and the environment.
Music in the films was created by Phillip Glass, who many consider to be one of the greatest American composers.
The three films in the series span a period of over 20 years so viewers get to see the evolution of both Reggio’s and Glass’ work, according to Don Castro festival director.
Koyaanisatsi, or translated life out of balance, is the first film in the trilogy.
The movie was made in 1983 and shows the contrast of two different worlds technology and nature.
This film has become an instant classic and cemented its place in history almost five years ago when the Library of Congrerss added it to its elite National Film Registry.
“An interesting thing about the first film is it originally didn’t have a title. Reggio didn’t want to attach any words to any of his films but was forced to do so by the distributors,” Castro said.
The second film in the trilogy, Powaqqatsi, was created in 1988.
Translated this film means, life in transformation, it has imagery from over 13 different countries in the Southern Hemisphere and looks at how Third World countries express themselves through work and traditions.
The film also examines these countries struggle with the transition into an industrialized society.
Reggio created the final film, Naqoyqatsi or life is a war in 2003. This film is quite different from the previous two.
The first two films had a low budget and used almost no computer aided graphics. However, in Naqoyqasti every image has been either digitally enhanced or created.
“To put things in perspective Naqoyqatsi used about 3.5 terabytes of data. That is almost two times the total amount that Pixars Toy Story used,” Castro said.
The films are well made and very good at broadening a students horizons but the highlight of the event comes at the end of each film, according to Castro.
This is when there is a question and answer session with the director of the films himself Godfrey Reggio.
The way the question and answer section works is that after the films Reggio comes out. People who have questions raise their hand, Reggio calls on them, and they approach the microphone and ask their question.
“This is what sets us apart from other film festivals,” Castro said.
Harkins Center Point 11 is hosting the festival for the first time. Start time for the show is at 7:30 p.m. and all who show up to the event get free admission.
“If we charged students for this event most would not go, however, once we tell them it’s free and spark their interest they go,” Castro said.
The movies will be shown in the largest theater in the Center Point 11 complex, which holds about 350 people.
Volume 43, Issue 10. Today is
The films featured in this year’s film festival
look at the effect of technology on culture and environment.