Black & White World

Baraka (1992)

I dropped Baraka into my Netflix queue several months back when I got my new big screen HDTV, when I was on the lookout for films that would look jaw-dropping on the HD set.  My first viewing of the film was on the big screen, in 70mm, at the Egyptian Theatre.  And while the 46” 1080p Sony LCD in my living room isn’t quite as impressive as 70mm—it’s not bad, either.  I don’t mind telling you, I am in love with my teevee.  If that makes me shallow, so be it.  I am shallow.

Baraka is a fascinating look at our world from many different angles and areas and viewpoints.  I have found it almost impossible not to ask myself, “Okay, where is that?  What monument is that, what volcano, what crowded tenement, which country, where are we?” as I watch the film.  In fact, with the DVD I’d even hoped for a commentary that simply said, “Brazilian rain forest.  Devil’s Tower.  A streeet in Singapore.  Fujiyama.” But the point of the film is that it doesn’t matter where—what matters is what.  What matters is that the opulent crystal-encrusted Muslim temple built somewhere in the middle east is no different from the ancient ruins once dedicated to Mayan gods, or St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Or my television, for that matter.

The photography in this film is stunning.  If it were just a series of visually arresting images it would be worth sitting through for the eye candy.  But its themes of people the world over, and what makes us all different and what makes us all the same, and why we should be ashamed of ourselves and why we should be proud, is fascinating and a little humbling.  Must see! 

1. I love this movie. Like you, I wish I knew where the shooting locations were. Optional text captioning that could be turned on and off would be nice. It doesn’t really effect the movie but I’m just curious. I wonder what a blu ray version in 1080p would look like? Probably make my eyes bug out of my head.

   Thanks for recommending it to me. I wouldn’t have seen it otherwise.

   Posted by  on  09/01  at  05:17 PM
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