As all of Reggio's work, this is a film that defies all categories. I can guarantee that it's not like anything you've seen before. Reggio is 83 and has been breaking boundaries for over 50 years. 'Once Within A Time' is a fitting capstone to an amazing career.
This is the movie Godfrey Reggio was born to make. It's in many ways unlike anything he's done before, and yet everything leads to this. The film uses no documentary footage, instead it's entirely constructed in a studio (Red Hook, NY). It has a story and characters that are played by actors and a crew of ordinary children. It's perhaps his most accessible film, as it will appeal to both children and grownups.
The themes that prevail through all of Reggio's films are present. This time he confronts the technological alienation of culture from nature and the total commodification of human life with a narrative of hope that thrives within the innocence and playfulness of child's vision. There's a feeling of playfulness and delightful improvisation in every aspect of the production.
As in all of Reggio's films since 'Koyannisqatsi', the score is composed by Phillip Glass, but it features interludes of childlike song and ceremonial improvisations. There's even a triumphant jazz interlude that features the shamanic presence of Mike Tyson!
(The companion film, 'The Making Of 'Once Within A Time' is also well worth watching.)
This is the movie Godfrey Reggio was born to make. It's in many ways unlike anything he's done before, and yet everything leads to this. The film uses no documentary footage, instead it's entirely constructed in a studio (Red Hook, NY). It has a story and characters that are played by actors and a crew of ordinary children. It's perhaps his most accessible film, as it will appeal to both children and grownups.
The themes that prevail through all of Reggio's films are present. This time he confronts the technological alienation of culture from nature and the total commodification of human life with a narrative of hope that thrives within the innocence and playfulness of child's vision. There's a feeling of playfulness and delightful improvisation in every aspect of the production.
As in all of Reggio's films since 'Koyannisqatsi', the score is composed by Phillip Glass, but it features interludes of childlike song and ceremonial improvisations. There's even a triumphant jazz interlude that features the shamanic presence of Mike Tyson!
(The companion film, 'The Making Of 'Once Within A Time' is also well worth watching.)