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 shot with the monk at the streets of Tokyo was unplanned. The crew went to a factory for filming but after many hours of searching ideas, they disbanded the place, finding it unsuitable for filming. Getting back to the hotel Mark Magidson saw the monk walking and stopped the cars and asked Ron Fricke to film him. After obtaining the footage, the crew gave the monk some money and left. The monk never stopped his prayer and never looked into the camera.

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Goofs

In the closing credits where filming locations are listed by country, Vatican City is listed as a location in Italy when technically it is a country in its own right. Although Vatican City is physically totally contained within Italy, it is an independent nation.

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Connections

References Koyaanisqatsi (1982)

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Soundtracks

Monk With 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

PERFECTION! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.

Very few movies can actually be truly inspirational. A lot of movies make you feel good while watching it. This is different. This movie can breathe life back into your soul. It will brighten your outlook. It will make you think and keep you thinking long after the movie has ended. And even the most bitter of cynics (like me) cannot deny it's beauty. It will always remain one of my favorites. I cannot make it my favorite movie since it is so powerful and different I don't consider it a movie but an experience. It requires just a smidge of patience to suck you into it. But once it does you cannot avert your eyes. The most spectacular images ever. Not an ounce of pretention to it. No hollwood bull. Brilliant. Moving music. Do not miss this!!!! If you have a DVD buy this one. Watching it on a small screen will severely cut it's impact.

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