Anima Mundi

Production Co: New York Institute of Regional Education

Producer: Lawrence Taub

Director: Godfrey Reggio

Year: 1991

Genre:

Region: World

Duration: 28’

Language: Music only

The first collaboration between cinematographer Godfrey Reggio and minimalist composer Philip Glass produced the cult film KOYAANISQATSI, a futuristic documentary about the dehumanising effect of modern society.  In “Anima Mundi”, Reggio and Glass join forces once again to celebrate the mystery and wonder of the natural world in a haunting marriage of images and music.  Tableaux of swooping birds segue into scenes of galloping zebras and strutting ostriches, reclining insects, and cells multiplying in their millions to the rising tempo of the music.  Glass alternates ethnic rhythms with choral chants and hypnotic arpeggios.  Director Reggio produces a dense mix of colour and texture, editing together natural history footage with ravishing original material, and intercutting busy close-ups with landscapes of grandeur and tranquillity.