Baraka (1992)

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

Director:

Ron Fricke

Writers:

Ron Fricke (concept), Mark Magidson (concept)

2 wins & 1 nomination.

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 | working conditions | environment | 

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Taglines:

A world beyond words.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

None

Release Date:

19 November 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Baraka - Eine Welt jenseits der Worte

Filming Locations:

Rajasthan, India

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,250,322

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The eclipse shoot almost didn't made in to the final work. The crew went to Hawai and had their spot on a hotel rooftop, but almost an hour before the eclipse clouds moved in and immediately the sun disappeared. Everyone in the hotel tried to find a better location and only the film crew stayed after a huge discussion. Minutes from the eclipse the sky cleared for shooting and the final result is in the film.

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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

Perhaps the most incredibly beautiful and profound film Ever Made

This for me is the film for a desert Island...you know?...If you could only take, one book, one wine, one loaf of bread, one piece of music? One Lover, Well, this would be my one movie....This film in my opinion is so extraordinary that it needs as special 11 or 12 category, just as J.S. Bach, and Dickens, and Shakespeare would need such a category. This film is spellbinding and can be viewed and understood on many levels. I do not personally see or feel the "Environmental" message from this film that many do....or at least to me it is only one of many sub- texts....I do see an oil painting placed directly on my soul, or rather etched there by the sinews of this film, as a comment on man, all of his glory and wisdom, and all of his failings as well....that and so much more. For me this is the greatest film of all times. Nothing else even comes close...I could go on but I won't....to what end....if you have seen it and you wish to discuss it. write to me, I would be happy to hear from you on this wonderful film..