Baraka

The Movie Itself is directed and lensed by Ron Fricke.
ba⋅ra⋅ka : bəˈrɑkə/ [buh-rah-kuh]
–noun Islam.
a spiritual power believed to be possessed by certain persons, objects, tombs, etc.
Origin: Ar barakah; cf. Heb bərākhāh blessing

A blessing. The breath of life. Raw spiritual power. All of these definitions can be found to describe the word Baraka, a word that perfectly encapsulates this breathtaking cinematic journey into the human spirit, showcasing both the divine connections between us, as well as our effect on the planet at large — for better or worse.

Ron Fricke’s masterpiece is the quintessential documentary/travelogue that captures our planet’s raw, unique beauty, while providing us with a unique perspective of human life via mind-blowing moving portraits of ritualistic practices around the world, ranging from funeral pyres to monotonous morning commutes. His vision is uncompromised, and unfailing — an unparalleled visual experiment that is unmatched in every sense. Devoid of dialog or narration, the film is purely cinematic; universally understood, and applicable because it relies on imagery alone to tell its story. Some might be deterred by that fact, but I can’t imagine the film any other way. Simply put, you’ve never seen a film quite like this one. It is meditative, hypnotic, emotionally charged, breathtaking and engaging all at once.

And as bold as it may sound, I’ve never seen a more beautiful film than Baraka. Every single image — whether static, moving or time-lapse — is expertly composed and teeming with grace, artistry and meaning. It’s as if the film is a love letter addressed to the inhabitants of earth, from an alien planet. The perspective is so unique, incisive and removed that it’s hard to imagine a human could have lensed such a magnificent piece of art. It deftly summarizes the human race and our collective effect on our surroundings, on history and ourselves.

I simply can’t recommend this film enough. It is easily one of the most profound and touching films/documentaries I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. And while I can go on and on about how fantastic it is, in the end, words are at a loss to describe how beautiful and surreal the viewing experience is. Baraka is an unforgettable emotional journey across the world, that instills hope, and awe, allowing us to see life’s wondrous gifts, and yet it also tells a cautionary tale of planetary disharmony through images of death, destruction and poverty. In the end though, as the film’s credits began to roll, I felt a swell of hope, awe and respect for all life on this planet come over me, and I even felt more connected to the world around me, as hokey as that may sound.

Where The Godfather is my favorite fictional film, Baraka is my new favorite non-fiction film. Both are timeless classics, and prime examples of filmmaking excellence, but Baraka in particular is an experience all its own. I don’t think the film will ever find itself as universally accepted as it is constructed, but I imagine that it will only continue to amass fans, garner more praise, and become more and more significant as time rolls on as the boundaries between cultures inevitably overlap and ultimately dissolve.