Tuesday, February 28, 2017

BSA306, Baraka, 28 February, 2017

Baraka (1992)
Ron Fricke, director
Samsara (2011) is the sequel
This film is a meditation on what it is to be human, our cultures, our works, and the environments we live in.   Having said that, though, there was a very slow series of shots of snow monkeys in a hot pool in winter.  Where they fit into all of this, I don't know.  Every shot could be the beginning of a different  movie; Baraka is a master class in cinematography.  Besides the sequences of cultures from around the world and beautiful, unspoiled nature, Baraka focuses it's lens on the terrible things that we do when we come together.  The sad treatment of chickens from birth to cramped cages is shown, multiple genocides from the 20th century and miles and miles of decommissioned American military planes in the dessert.  I recommend this movie to anyone who wonders how to frame interesting shots of people and things as well as anyone who would like to see the range of cultures on the planet that are not white, anglo-saxon or from the "First World".  Insomniacs would also enjoy Baraka's soothing pace and ambient music.









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