The Best Non-Narrative Musical Films
When we think about music and film we often like to think that music is complementary to what is going on on the screen. It’s rare when a film comes out and it’s the soundtrack that is the center of attention. However, there are films out there where instead of the music being in the background, it’s right there in the foreground. The music plays and the images on the screen simply add to the depth of the already amazing soundtrack.
Below are a few films that could be considered very long music videos. These are some of the best non-narrative music films.
The Qatsi Trilogy by Godfrey Reggio
Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
This is the first of three films having to do with the human race here on Earth. The music is composed by Philip Glass and cinematography by Ron Fricke. The word “koyaanisqatsi” comes from the Hopi Indian word meaning “life out of balance.” The film consists of many non-narrated shots of the natural world as well as of human civilization. Without turning this into a film essay, the film uses juxtaposition and places contrasting images of the order and beauty of nature with the pollution and destruction caused by our civilizations. Philip Glass’s score, which shifts with the images, speaks (without words) a multitude of ideas. Throughout the film, shots are slowed down, sped up and overall perfectly in sync with the contemporary masterpiece composition of Philip Glass.
I found out about this film while watching the movie Watchmen (2009) where a section of Philip Glass’s composition (Pruit Igoe and Prophecies) plays while Dr. Manhattan’s origin story is being told. The music in those scenes had such an impact on me that I sought out the larger piece of work.
Powaqqatsi (1988)
The second film in the Qatsi trilogy and similar to Koyaanisqatsi in its non-narrative style, this film also features music by Philip Glass. The word “powaqqatsi” is again a Hopi word for “parasitic way of life” or “life in transition.” This film focuses on life in developing countries and the conflict they go through when they first start industrializing. At times the soundtrack is very mechanical, similar to noises heard in a factory, which suits the message of the film.
Naqoyqatsi (2002)
The final film in the Qatsi trilogy, this one in particular is often overlooked as Godfrey Reggio shifts from using real-life images to computer generated ones. Nonetheless, the soundtrack is again provided by Philip Glass. The word “naqoyqatsi” is Hopi for “life as war” or “a life of killing each other.” Compared to the other two films in this trilogy, the music in this one sounds more like rock and roll than “classical music.”
Daft Punk’s Interstella 5555 (2003)
Not only does this feature my favorite Daft Punk album Discovery, it also features a very entertaining non-narrated animated movie with a plot following an alien band that’s been kidnapped and forced to play against their will. What more can I say? The movie Interstella 5555 is the visual companion to Discovery and it’s a darn good one. You can easily lose yourself for the hour and half that it’s playing.
Baraka (1992) & Samsara (2011)
Baraka (1992)
Similar to Godfrey Reggio’s first film Koyaanisqatsi, Baraka is also a musical documentary film. Ron Fricke, who was the cinematographer for Koyaanisqatsi, decided to go his own way and really put his cinematography techniques to use. The film features a soundtrack composed by Michael Stearns, among others, and awe-inspiring time-lapse shots by Fricke that go so well with the music. The word “baraka” is a Sufi concept meaning “blessing, essence or breath.”
Samsara (2011)
Both Baraka and Samsara feature strong images without really trying to. The thing is that both films were shot in various countries for quite some time. The end product, with its music, editing and beautiful scenes work together to create a very humanistic piece of work. In truth, both films are just collections of seemingly random hypnotic scenes but watching them you feel a strong appreciation for cultures around the world.
Fantasia (1940) & Fantasia/2000 (1999)
If classical music could be animated then the product would be both the original Fantasia and Fantasia 2000. While someone might think that one is a remake of the other, in reality they’re different films. Although they differ in many ways, they are alike in that they’re showcasing Disney’s animation on top of some of the most beautiful classical compositions of our time.
Both films are divided into segments and each segment features a famous composition. The animation is suited to the music and portrays what it is about in classic Disney fashion. Some of the composers featured in both Fantasia movies include Beethoven, Gershwin, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky to name a few.
Final Thoughts
Although the films that I mentioned above are different from each other (unless they’re a part of a larger piece), what they share in common is that music is the most important part of them. Without the music, whether classical or electronic, they wouldn’t have the same effect if they were just images on the screen. It’s nice to see the emotion of music be used to heighten the power of cinematography. I’m sure there are more films out there that are similar in this aspect and if you know of any, please share them below.