Baraka (Widescreen)

Product Details

Format : NTSC
Binding : DVD
EAN : 0824255050210
Product Group : DVD
Release Date : 2002-11-01
UPC : 824255050210

ASIN : B0000700KL

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Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.com

The word Baraka means "blessing" in several languages; watching this film, the viewer is blessed with a dazzling barrage of images that transcend language. Filmed in 24 countries and set to an ever-changing global soundtrack, the movie draws some surprising connections between various peoples and the spaces they inhabit, whether that space is a lonely mountaintop or a crowded cigarette factory. Some of these attempts at connection are more successful than others: for instance, an early sequence segues between the daily devotions of Tibetan monks, Orthodox Jews, and whirling dervishes, finding more similarity among these rituals than one might expect. And there are other amazing moments, as when sped-up footage of a busy Hong Kong intersection reveals a beautiful symmetry to urban life that could only be appreciated from the perspective of film. The lack of context is occasionally frustrating--not knowing where a section was filmed, or the meaning of the ritual taking place--and some of the transitions are puzzling. However, the DVD includes a short behind-the-scenes featurette in which cinematographer Ron Fricke (Koyaanisqatsi) explains that the effect was intentional: "It's not where you are that's important, it's what's there." And what's here, in Baraka, is a whole world summed up in 104 minutes. --Larisa Lomacky Moore

Customer Reviews

oeuvre superbe! (2008-01-28)

Les images et le son a sont meilleur,pour les vraies amateurs de cinéma maison.Les images des 24 pays wow!lesarches dans l'etat de l'Utah,les galapagos etc...les palais de l'Iran,laTurquie,le vatican.La pauvreté extreme,la verité sur l'homme.Filmé en 70mmle seul et unique comme documentaire d'une telle qualités.Merci et thankyou RON FRICKE. JE VOUS RECOMMANDE FORTEMENT CE FILM!!!!!!!!

A spectacular cinematographic feast (2007-11-23)

This is a very powerful film, which is a visual feast. It portrays without any words both the creative principle as well as the destructive principle of the human spirit. A voyage that in pictures and accompanying music shows a multitudes of cultures, landscapes, religious practices and beliefs that has a profound impact. It is both celebratory and sobering at the same time. Highly recommended and especially on a big screen if possible to get the most from the stunning visuals!

Coming Soon! (2007-08-03)

A representative for Michael Stearns, who is responsible for Baraka's soundtrack revealed the following:"Michael's finished the Baraka remix in 24/96 high definition audio. As I understand it, all of the original analogue source tracks were restored and transferred to 24/96 digital audio files in Los Angeles. He was using those to mix with at his studio here in Santa Fe. This is for the HD and BluRay DVD release, as well as a Digital Cinema release."I can't wait for the Bluray release. We know at least it will sound great!

Alive & Brilliant (2007-07-17)

This is one of my top 10's. If not just for the amazing visuals captured all around the world, you have to appreciate the massive amount of work and energy put into the making of this beautiful film. Watch it big, because it's big. It will remind you that you are alive!

The Spirit of Mother Earth: Her Joy, Her Pain (2006-06-15)

This film is a uniquely artistic and spiritual achievement. The images and views are spectacular. The planet is shown in its pristine natural beauty, . The volcanoes of Hawaii are viewed from the air and close up, close enough to see the red hot glowing lava arise from the bowels of Mother Earth. The Iguacu Water Falls in Argentina, a Brazilian rainforest and the Kayapo Village Indians, Monument Valley in Arizona, views of Ayers Rock in the Uluru National Park in Australia are among my favorite recollections of natural scenes. The only accompaniment to this fantastic imagery is the original and outstanding music created by Michael Stearns. There are no comments ... no subtitles, none are required, the scenery and images speak for themselves. The film is extraordinairily beautiful, breath-taking, and sometimes dismaying in its truthful depiction of life on planet earth. The concept development by Ron Fricke and the scene development by Mark Magidson and Bob Green are worthy of recognition in the film industry. I am surprised the film gathered no awards ... Its popularity via "word of mouth" is likely due to the visual impact of visiting twenty four countries on six continents within 104 minutes ...which is a monumental achievement. Mankind's impact on nature and the environment are clearly brought into focus without a word being uttered: one views burning oil fields in Kuwait, a garbage dump in India where the poor sort through trash, plus a few stark images of Auschwitz and the skulls and photographs of victims of Killing Fields in Cambodia. The reprimand is felt ... the destruction is seen, the concern for the future is real. Yet the film is balanced showing monuments and pyramids from ancient Egypt, the temples of Angkor Wat, Cambodia ... the terra cotta Warriors in Xian, China ... the Hagia Sophia Temple in Istanbul Turkey ... Mecca, Saudia Arabia ... the Shiraz Mosque in Iran ... St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Israel and Jews prayng at the Wailing Wall. The less than satisfying moments for me were, 1) the sped up traffic scenes in New York, 2) views of people getting on and off a train, likely in Japan, and 3) the monkey chant at one of the Far East Asian temples, it seemed too prolonged, my preference would have been to tour the site instead. Cutting out the first entirely and reducing the time viewing the second and third would improve my enjoyment of the film (4.5/5 stars). The most memorable scenery includes views of children living in poverty stricken areas of South America, the city landfill in Calcutta, India, where poor people sort garbage, and the funeral pyres along the Ganges River ... Words are inadequate to describe these views. This film displays the natural beauty of earth and man's impact on the environment and the world via astonishing images and scenes ... Despite the diversity of the planet, the interconnectedness of life is so well depicted, the film is deeply felt and should be experienced by more people. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]

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