Baraka (1992)

A collection of expertly photographed scenes of human life and religion.

Director:

Ron Fricke

Writers:

Ron Fricke (concept), Mark Magidson (concept)

Star:

Patrick Disanto

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Uncredited cast:
Patrick Disanto	...	Journeyman (uncredited)

Storyline

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 Balinese Hindu men perform kecak, the 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.

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Plot Keywords:

human nature | environmental education | world culture | no dialogue | fast motion scene | 

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Taglines:

A world beyond words.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first 8k resolution video made from a 65mm master. Only one scanner in the world at the time was capable of capturing it.

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Goofs

The city Istanbul is misspelled in the movie twice, as Instanbul.

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Connections

Referenced in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: A Night at the Movies (2003)

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Soundtracks

Village Bell
Music Composed and performed by Michael Stearns
Editions Milan Music
(P)© Magidson Films, Inc. Manufactured under license from Varèse Sarabande Records, Inc. U.S.A. by Colosseum Music Entertainment GmbH, Germany

User Reviews

An extraordinary trip

During the 96 minutes, I feel like a bird crossing time and space.

I was amazed by the images and the camera technique. For just a few second images, the filmmaker have to overcome how many difficulties! What a spectacular job!

Moreover, the questions it brings to me strike me, and it makes me rethink about the human life. The contrast between the worlds and the cultures punch me so hard.

This movie is absolutely in my collection.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

19 November 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Baraka

Filming Locations:

Rajasthan, India

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$26,812, 26 September 1993

Gross USA:

$1,332,110

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,332,110

Company Credits

Production Co:

Magidson Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby SR (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1