Godfrey Reggio, the filmmaker behind the landmark experimental documentary “Koyaanisqatsi,” returns with his first film in nine years, the surreal and visually striking fantasy “Once Within A Time.” The movie has no narrative but instead charts a journey through the imaginative subconscious of children. Drawing on the aesthetic of fairy tales, “Once Within A Time” is made out of the visuals, with the collection of images and filmic techniques creating a whimsical dreamscape. The movie was shot in a studio but uses digital trickery to mimic the effect of celluloid. Unlike the apocalyptic vision of Reggio’s other work, such as the Qatsi Trilogy, his new work provides a hopeful look at childhood and imagination. While the Qatsi Trilogy is about the end of the world, “Once Within a Time” is about how to build a new one.
One of the most exciting features of “Once Within A Time” is the presence of composer Philip Glass, with whom Reggio has collaborated on all his films, most notably on the Qatsi Trilogy. Working alongside Reggio is Jon Kane as co-director. “Once Within A Time” features Mike Tyson in a surprising cameo that the MOMA’s official website promises will “leave much for interpretation.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
Celebrated director Godfrey Reggio returns after ten years with a new experimental film unlike any other from his already daring career: a bardic fairy tale about the end of the world and the beginning of a new one, tinged with apocalyptic comedy, rapturous cinematography, unforgettable vistas, and the innocence and hopes of a new generation. Featuring an electrifying score composed by Reggio’s longtime collaborator Philip Glass with additional vocals from Sussan Deyhim and co-directed by veteran editor and filmmaker Jon Kane, ONCE WITHIN A TIME is the indie revelation of the year.
“Once Within A Time” will be released theatrically on October 13, along with screenings at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art as part of the series “Total Cinema of Sight and Sound: The Films of Godfrey Reggio and Philip Glass” from September 26- October 4, 2023. Watch the new trailer below.
