Godfrey Reggio Quotes

Powerful Godfrey Reggio for Daily Growth

About Godfrey Reggio

Godfrey Reggio (born July 15, 1940) is an American non-fiction filmmaker and visual artist who has made significant contributions to the world of cinema through his unique, philosophical, and visually stunning documentaries. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Reggio grew up in New Jersey and showed an early interest in art and philosophy. After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bolivia from 1963 to 1965, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a cinematographer before launching his directing career. Reggio's work is marked by a deep exploration of the human condition and relationship with technology, inspired by thinkers such as Martin Heidegger, Jacques Ellul, and Rene Girard. His first film, "Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance" (1982), showcased his signature style of using breathtaking imagery set to a Philip Glass score without dialogue. The film was a critical success and paved the way for two sequels: "Baraka" (1992) and "Chronos" (1985). Reggio's films often challenge viewers to contemplate their role in society and the impact of modern technology on human relationships. His most recent work, "Visitors" (2013), continues this exploration through a series of interviews with children discussing complex philosophical concepts. Reggio's visionary approach to filmmaking and his thought-provoking themes have solidified his place as a groundbreaking artist in the world of cinema. Despite facing criticism for his unconventional storytelling methods, Reggio's work continues to inspire critical thinking and introspection among audiences worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The images I use are not illustrations, they are invocations."

Godfrey Reggio's quote suggests that the visual content he employs in his work is not merely for illustrative purposes but holds deeper meaning as a form of evocation or calling upon something greater. In other words, he uses images to provoke thought, emotion, or reflection about our world, human existence, and our connection to the universe. This perspective highlights the power of visual storytelling in stimulating introspection and fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.


"To see is to remember, and to remember is to see again."

This quote suggests that perception and memory are interconnected. When we see something, we remember it, and when we remember it, we effectively "see" it again in our minds. It implies a cyclical nature of observation and recollection, where each experience influences the next, creating a rich tapestry of personal understanding and wisdom over time.


"The more conscious a society becomes of its technology, the more it will be driven to ask fundamental questions about its nature, its value, and its effect on the human spirit."

Godfrey Reggio's quote underscores the idea that as societies become increasingly reliant on technology, they will naturally question its essence, worth, and impact on the human spirit. In other words, as we develop more awareness about our technological advancements, we will be compelled to contemplate their profound implications – not just in terms of practical utility, but also in relation to human values, identity, and spiritual well-being. This introspection is crucial for ensuring that technology serves humanity in a meaningful and beneficial way.


"Technology is not neutral; it shapes our perception, it shapes our values, it shapes our relationship to reality."

Godfrey Reggio's quote emphasizes that technology does not merely serve as a tool but significantly influences our understanding of the world, our moral compass, and our connection with reality. The advancements in technology have the power to shape our perspectives, values, and even define what we consider as 'real.' It is crucial to be aware of this influence and strive for technologies that foster positive growth and development.


"The question isn't 'What are we going to do with the world?' The question is 'What is the world going to do with us?'"

This quote by Godfrey Reggio emphasizes the idea that humanity, rather than being the ultimate controller of our planet, should consider ourselves as recipients or inhabitants who are subject to Earth's natural processes. It suggests a perspective in which we should think about how our actions impact the world, rather than assuming the world exists solely for our use and exploitation. The quote encourages us to view ourselves as a part of the ecosystem, with responsibilities towards preserving the harmony and balance of nature.


These films however, have ambiguity built into them, because it's too easy in film to make a strident work of propaganda or advertising, which are really the same thing anyway, meaning the message is unmistakable.

- Godfrey Reggio

Same Thing, However, Unmistakable

Having been an educator for so many years I know that all a good teacher can do is set a context, raise questions or enter into a kind of a dialogic relationship with their students.

- Godfrey Reggio

Been, Set, Having, Raise

Now having said that, I realize that releasing a film in the real world is like trying to get General Motors to release a handmade car.

- Godfrey Reggio

Release, Like, Having, Motors

In the order I was in, each brother takes five vows, one of which is teaching the poor gratuitously. As a young person I was seized by this idea of social justice and I wanted very much to follow my vow of teaching the poor gratuitously.

- Godfrey Reggio

Young, Idea, Very, Vow

Technology has become as ubiquitous as the air we breathe, so we are no longer conscious of its presence.

- Godfrey Reggio

Air, Longer, Ubiquitous, Breathe

In terms of the feeling of the piece, I cant think about what people are gonna think about it, what are the critics gonna say, I'm trying to bring some resolution, and realize that myself. It's a struggle; it's a process that gets us this.

- Godfrey Reggio

Some, Bring, About, Cant

I think there's an enormous value to being negative. The world we live in today, negativity is not permitted.

- Godfrey Reggio

Negativity, Think, I Think, Permitted

It's not just the effect of technology on the environment, on religion, on the economic structure, on society, on politics, etc. It's that everything now exists in technology to the point where technology is the new and comprehensive host of nature of life.

- Godfrey Reggio

Nature, Politics, New, Economic

All tools have intrinsic politics and technology is the tool of now.

- Godfrey Reggio

Technology, Politics, Now, Intrinsic

In effect, I feel like a blind, deaf, and illiterate person working through the sensibilities and multiple, real talents of other people. Everything I do is collaborative.

- Godfrey Reggio

Blind, Through, Other, Sensibilities

I think it's the tragedy of our time that we're not aware of the affect of the manner in which we've adopted tools. Those tools have become who we are.

- Godfrey Reggio

Think, I Think, Which, Adopted

So, not for lack of love of language, but because I feel our language is in an enormous state of humiliation, I decided to make films without words.

- Godfrey Reggio

Love, Words, Films, Humiliation

I think it's naive to pray for world peace if we're not going to change the form in which we live.

- Godfrey Reggio

Peace, Think, Which, Naive

Mystery is gone to the certainty of technological principles. So the real terror, the real aggression against life comes in the form of the pursuit of our technological happiness.

- Godfrey Reggio

Pursuit, Against, Terror, Technological

It is very easy to make clear what you want a film to say, but I did not wish to engage in overt propaganda, even for the right cause. I wanted to create an experience through the films, something where people could have the freedom of their own response to them.

- Godfrey Reggio

Own, Through, Very, Engage

The language of the moment or, as it were, the language of the order in which we live, is the image. I felt that if I wanted to commune with the public, I should best do so through the language of image. It's a conscious embrace of a contradiction.

- Godfrey Reggio

Through, Image, Which, Conscious

So to hope to be able to have peace, to be able to have justice and environmental balance, are consequences of our behavior, not just our intentions.

- Godfrey Reggio

Hope, Environmental, Our, Intentions

Technology is not neutral.

- Godfrey Reggio

Technology, Neutral

What I'm trying to do is to at least raise a flag to the blinding light of technology.

- Godfrey Reggio

Light, Trying, Flag, Blinding

But in fact if you look at film as a metaphor, only through the negative can you have the positive print. What I'm trying to get to is the positive value of negation.

- Godfrey Reggio

Fact, Through, Negation, Negative

History has been the history of warfare.

- Godfrey Reggio

Been, The History Of, Warfare

The only thing I can do is type. I learned that when I was 13.

- Godfrey Reggio

Only, Learned, Type, The Only Thing

It's not that we use technology, we live technology.

- Godfrey Reggio

Live, Use, Technology

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.