Baraka
Named after a Sufi word that translates roughly as breath of life or blessing, Baraka is Ron Fricke's impressive follow-up to Godfrey Reggio's non-verbal documentary film Koyaanisqatsi. Fricke was cinematographer and collaborator on Reggio's film, and for Baraka he struck out on his own to polish and expand the photographic techniques used on Koyaanisqatsi.
The result is a tour-de-force in 70mm: a cinematic guided meditation (Fricke's own description) shot in 24 countries on six continents over a 14-month period that unites religious ritual, the phenomena of nature, and man's own destructive powers into a web of moving images.
Fricke's camera ranges, in meditative slow motion or bewildering time-lapse, over the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Ryoan-Ji temple in Kyoto, Lake Natron in Tanzania, burning oil fields in Kuwait, the smoldering precipice of an active volcano, a busy subway terminal, tribal celebrations of the Masai in Kenya, chanting monks in the Dip Tse Chok Ling monastery...and on and on, through locales across the globe. To execute the film's time-lapse sequences, Fricke had a special camera built that combined time-lapse photography with perfectly controlled movements.
Directed by: Ron Fricke
This video is unavailable on this website as well on youtube on 10 October 2017
The first time I watched this was on Channel 4 in the UK late night TV almost 20 years ago. I knew I was watching something special. I'd never seen so many beautiful visuals and powerful ambient sounds. There was no Hollywood CGI, no tricks or adverts, no sales pitch. It was simple and inspired. Made by mature film makers with high end equipment and talent. Samsara the modern follow up could never have the same impact. I believe a new generation of filmmakers will have to evolve this method. Highly recommend. Watch in HD if possible, have a subwoofer and have no expectations.
It's like a time machine. Took me anywhere...everywhere....inside and out from a complete different angle of life and existence.. I love the way people from unknown corners contributed to make this unique documentary. I am proud of watching this. Thank You so much.
Rabbani.
Children of Man, World of God ...
Saw a lot of World, Just in a Few Minutes ....
Marvelous !!!!
More like an exotic piece of art than a documentary, amazing visuals set upon beautiful music that sounds like it was made by people across the world. It makes you look at human beings in a different light entirely.
Really liked the many time lapse sequences. Especially the one of the busy streets. We are so similar to a colony of ants it's terrifying.
I also didn't get any sound on the 3rd section, and the second last section gave me an error message.
This is am awe inspiring documentary i loved it. really reflects on how much we are realli missing out there amazing!!!
An amazing video.