Baraka

by Ron Fricke

Baraka is an ancient sufi word which translates as blessing, or as the breath or essence of life from which the evolutionary process unfolds.

Baraka – A World Beyond Words Photographed in 70mm in 24 Countries is absolutely breathtaking.

Most of the film shows the beauty of the earth and humanity, although this is juxtaposed with short clips of the destructive nature of man against nature and man against man.

The clip of the chickens and factory workers was absolutely horrifying even if it seemed to be somewhat out of place with the rest of the film. (Perhaps a tad bit on the moralizing edge). It’s placement was very effective for me, however, and made me cry. Partly because of what was happening to the chickens, but primarily because of the casualness of the factory workers toward what they are doing to these living creatures. And then we buy the chicken and perpetuate the treatment. Good reinforcment of my daughter’s decision for she and I to become vegetarians. (We’ve been vegetarians since February 1.)

There was also a short journey through several Death Camps of the Holocaust which was also quite effective.

Beautiful, beautiful, film! I could watch it over and over again!