In class today we watched a film by Francis Ford Coppola called "Koyaanisatsi". It is from the ancient hopi language meaning life out of balance, life in turmoil and a state of life that calls for another way of living. Background music was from composer Philip Glass.
In the beginning of the movie there was desert scenes from west America. As I sat there watching the camera zoom around the plateau and the desert rock formations I couldn't help but think who would want to live in this area. The Navajo Indian's did live around this area of America (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada) but I cannot see how they enjoyed it. It was depressing watching it. I wondered if they every tasted a fresh apple off the tree or a juicy strawberry plucked fresh from its branches. Their food must of been simply survival verses our myriad of selections today.
The camera moved on switching back and forth between the clouds and the river. There was a similarity between watching it and society today. The clouds swirled and dipped like a raging river current. The river did the same. Both out of control and at the mercy at where the stream (either jet stream of water stream) takes it. Just like a large city they showed later on in the movie. The cars and people were stuck in this streak moving rapidly along its roadways and sidewalks. A person has to keep going and move with the current for things to go smoothly.
Towards the ending New York City was being shown. Everyone was in a hurry, rushing about minding their own business. I understand where the producer wanted the film to make it look like cities were evil and bad. I didn't see it that way. I seen the beauty of it. Factories were showing how cars were made and hot dogs and twinkies. To me, this was progress. People do not want to hang around in solidary type of places staying near one place. As a society we are meant to expand, explore and create progress. Every generation progresses from the one before and adds to it in some way. Recently, America has progressed rapidly but that isn't necessarily evil or bad. It is just a new lifestyle of living.
No comments:
Post a Comment