Without words, cameras show us the world, with an emphasis not on “where,” but on “what’s there.” It begins with morning, natural landscapes and people at prayer: volcanoes, water falls, veldts, and forests; several hundred monks do a monkey chant. Indigenous peoples apply body paint; whole villages dance. The film moves to destruction of nature via logging, blasting, and strip mining. Images of poverty, rapid urban life, and factories give way to war, concentration camps, and mass graves. Ancient ruins come into view, and then a sacred river where pilgrims bathe and funeral pyres burn. Prayer and nature return. A monk rings a huge bell; stars wheel across the sky. –IMDb
Ron Fricke is an American film director and cinematographer, considered to be a master of time-lapse photography and large format cinematography. He was the director of photography for Koyaanisqatsi (1982) and directed the purely cinematic non-verbal non-narrative feature Baraka (1992). He designed and used his own 70mm camera equipment for Baraka and his later projects. He also directed the IMAX films Chronos (1985) and Sacred Site (1986). His most recent work was as cinematographer for parts of the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (he was hired to shoot the eruption of Mt Etna in Sicily for use in scenes of the volcanic planet Mustafar). The sequel to Baraka, Samsara, is currently in production. —wikipedia
One of the most perfect films I have ever seen and one of my new favorites. The perfect definition of cinema. If I had I had to choose one movie to give to Alien lifeforms that I felt best represented us as a planet, it would be this film. A masterpiece.
An unusual title; Baraka is an Aramaic word for 'blessing'. What does Fricke think is a blessing? The planet on which we live on, which is the focus of this film? If this was his intention, he puts a good case forward, as we have it presented to us in a series of magnificent images. However, although the music may be great in some places, in others it's unnecessary and jarring, and detracts from the film.
It’s like KOYANISQATSI, except this is better. And also has awesome music.
Okay, so here’s how it is…
Imagine the world’s greatest visual essay on how people, nature, and the landscapes… read review
