Baraka

Rating:
Summary: Watch on the largest screen you can!
Review: And crank down the bass a little (if you have a subwoofer).

This movie gives the person with their DVD players, SUV and well- paying job to see something in this world that the viewer most likely has not seen, which is an intimate look at cultures, environments and nature the world over. With no concern of SARS or an expensive plane ticket, you feel afterwards that you truly experienced a global tour.

Baraka begins at a rather cautious pace, and as each scene passes by your vision, the intensity and depth slowly but steadily increases. It's a bit hard to describe, but I feel in a way that it causes the viewer to look inward at his/her own view of what the world is about and what life means. In a way, it compells you to ask yourself some deep questions. Make sure to keep your attention on watching the movie with NO interruptions to get the full effect. Pausing for phone calls, snacks or bathroom breaks is verboten, so get everything done first!

Baraka unfolds in the early morning and as the film passes through the first 10 minutes or so, you see examples of different beliefs and religions mixed with clips of nature. Eventually the two collide. And by the end, you're amazed at the solar eclipse and lunar starfields. Yet Ron Fricke's intent wasn't to make any statement at all.

There are elements of almost every type mixed into the film from peaceful co- existance to conflict (no graphic footage, don't worry), faith, technology, beauty and struggle. In some ways you may feel helpless after watching the slow decay/destruction of the world at the hands of mankind, yet Fricke also inserts visions which somehow reassure that nature ultimately holds the key to the fate of human beings since she is infinitely more powerful (and is much more patient).

If you get the chance, sample Baraka (a national video rental place has it on stock in special interest, so you can take a peek at it), and you'll more than likely want to own this. The majority of filming is either in slow motion or in time lapse, with not a single word spoken. Fricke and Mark Madigson developed some camera and dolly techniques that created the smoothest time lapse photography available, and some of the filming they've done you may recognize in some commercials or even movies.

NOTE, this is for the earlier MPI version DVD (DVD7060), which is somewhat similar in content, and the never version claims a new 70mm transfer and digitally- remastered audio. One thing I noticed that wasn't noted in the specs on the Collector's Edition is they didn't mention a full screen version; the older DVD is double- sided, one for the widescreen and the other for pan & scan.

Other suggestions: Koyaanisqatsi (deals mainly with the industrial cultures, cinematography by Fricke, 1983), Chronos (by Fricke, 40 minutes, 1985 which has music a little dated, but the film techniques are similar) and Powaqqatsi (1988). Of these, Baraka is best, IMHO.

Tidbit: There was also a coffee table book with images from scenery in Baraka.

Rating:
Summary: Language is Indirect
Review: The English language has one of the largest vocabularies of any language on Earth. No combination of those words can accurately portray the feeling many people get while watching this film. There are those out there who would not appreciate this quality, as there is nearly no action, plot, or words in it. But for those of you that can sit still and simply watch for a couple hours will never forget this film.

From Monkies relaxing in Japan's hot springs to the iguanas on the shores of Galapagos to a Buddhist monk walking through Shinjuku station in Japan, there is powerful emotion brought into one's mind about the idea of life and one's concept of the world. I feel one of the themes of Baraka is the conflict of human technology and nature. But even with the the conflict and destruction that the human technology brings, you can witness its clockwork-like beauty in dense cities like New York or Hong Kong. There are other parallels between the densely populated South American cities and gravesites. The same parallel flows with Shinjuku station and the egg factory. It is a great metaphorical representation that you couldn't quite put into words. You would have to be Blake to capture Baraka's beauty and you would have to be Vonnegut to reach the level of irony and cynisism it provides the viewers with.

Baraka is a fine representation of 70mm film.

I cannot reccomend it strongly enough.

Rating:
Summary: THIS FILM IS FANTASTIC
Review: Seriously, this film is wonderful.

No words are spoken the entire length.

The entire message is understood.

A BRILLIANT FILM.

mike

Rating:
Summary: I was speechless.
Review: Baraka is a profound statement about humanity and our relationship with this world, both disturbing and enlightening. The film contrasts the havoc that we wreck in modern day against the peaceful existence of more primitive times. No other film has ever conveyed the diversity of our world as well as Baraka. Ron Fricke masterfully frames each and every sequence to create suspense and tell a story with no dialogue. I can only imagine he has put his heart and soul into the film in order to achieve the fantastic images. Combined with a soundtrack that is painstakingly constructed to match the film's mood, I was amazed that a wordless film could evoke such emotion in the viewer. One of my favourite movies -- I was deep in thought for many days after having seen it. It is unfortunate to see this movie on video -- it belongs definitively on the 70 mm screen.

Rating:
Summary: VASTLY IMPROVED VIDEO AND SOUND QUALITY!
Review: I will not attempt to extol the virtues film itself (what more can I say than has already been said?), but of the new collector's edition: I too have the original DVD release, and the VHS release. This new transfer is AMAZING, and is exactly what the first DVD release should have been... PRISTINE video (very few artifacts, little or no pixelation), and IMMACULATE audio (crisp, clean, and great presence without sounding "over-processed"). If you have both versions and can't tell the difference, then it's time to watch it on a large screen TV, and clean yer ears out! The improvements are painfully obvious. This is a truly incredible film, and finally justice has been done with the fantastic quality of the consumer version. Like someone else said, give your old copy away, and BUY THIS VERSION now! I'm glad I picked it up, and you will be too.

Rating:
Summary: SURREAL AMBIANCE...JUST MAGICAL
Review: IN Baraka, You see people around the world unite in one fluid motion to an ambiant soundtrack including Dead Can Dance. There is just picture and music and they take you from one country to another...showing tribes in South America, families in Africa dancing, to death ceremonies in the East. Time lapses show amazing dexterity and substance value....blows the mind. It is a must see. Perfect for backgrounds at get togethers or even just meditation times.

Rating:
Summary: The World where we live. A great experience.
Review: It's a risk to review a video like this. You either become clichéd or sound truly naive. It doesn't matter. It's really refreshing to feel that, even though any viewer may have traveled to or watched images of some of these places, this astonishing film makes you feel that you belong to this world and, still, you don't know much about it. Secuences like those from Nepal, Bali or China will certainly encourage your need for traveling and knowing other cultures and sights. On the other hand, the video quality is superb,70 mm. looks very similar to IMAX and the music posseses your soul for 104 minutes and takes you "there" as you visit some of the most puzzling and beautiful places on earth.

If you want to enhance your DVD collection, Buy This!

Rating:
Summary: omg
Review: i saw this about 6 years ago and i can still feel exactly how i felt when if first saw it. that is how profound of an effect it has. this should be mandatory viewing!

Rating:
Summary: Not a just a film - Its a spiritual experiance
Review: If you've traveled the world or even just the U.S. you'll recognize many of the locations. The photography is incredible - Some scenes are a combination of time-lapse and panning that let you view the stars, the earth, and its inhabitants in entirely new perspectives. This is documentation of life, death, growth, and change that needs to be experienced.

Rating:
Summary: Changed My Life Forever
Review: Watch this movie with an open mind. It's not a popcorn movie. I watched it in my house in complete darkness. It made me think about how beautiful and wonderful our planet Earth is. I'm not a religious person, however, watching the movie made me contemplate on the existence of a superior being. It also made me question my role in this modern day society. It seems like my priorities have shifted from the simple and basic pleasures of life to the unattainable material standards. It's hard to believe...but I cried three times during this movie - I didn't even cry once in Titanic.