''Powaqqatsi'' is a Hopi word meaning "parasitic way of life" or "life in transition". While ''Koyaanisqatsi'' focused on modern life in industrial countries, ''Powaqqatsi'', which similarly has no dialogue, focuses more on the conflict in third world countries between traditional ways of life and the new ways of life introduced with industrialization.
As with Koyaanisqatsi and the third and final part of the 'Qatsi' trilogy, ''Naqoyqatsi'', the film is strongly related to its soundtrack, written by Philip Glass. Here, human voices (especially children's and mainly from South America and Africa) appear more than in ''Koyaanisqatsi'', in harmony with the film's message and images.
A part of the movie's haunting musical score ("Anthem Part 2"), by minimalist composer, Philip Glass, was used in the 1998 film, ''The Truman Show''.
