Ron Fricke's Baraka is a 96 minute documentary filmed in 70mm across 24 countries and 6 continents. Some might argue that there is no conventional plot in the film but it definitely has a purpose. The word Baraka is an ancient Sufi word, which can be translated as "a blessing, or as the breath, or essence of life from which the evolutionary process unfolds."
When asked to describe the film, Producer Mark Magidson stated,
“Through imagery, the film shows the diversity of the way people approach spirituality, religion, life and death, the struggle for survival and so on. The goal was for the viewer to have an inner journey, and the absence of both dialogue and commentary was intended to leave space for an internal dialogue, and allows the viewer to be guided by the music and the imagery. The content and the structure is meant to explore the life experience in its totality.”
Ever seen a 96 minute movie with ZERO words of dialogue? I have. More than once.
Baraka takes you on a journey through out the world setting up the beauty of the Earth, it's people, rituals and religions. Each scene is beautifully photographed enhanced only by a brilliant soundtrack by Michael Stearns and others.
Director Ron Fricke states,
“BARAKA is a journey of rediscovery that plunges into nature, into history, into the human spirit, and finally into the realm of the infinite.”
Baraka is often correctly described as a spiritual film while the film itself has it's own series of life events.
"Baraka’s producer Mark Magidson puts it. While the film contains no narration or dialogue, it nonetheless contains a clear three-act story. Act 1 depicts scenes of natural wonder and religious rituals that blend together. In Act 2 the movie shifts direction as a Brazilian rainforest tree is chainsawed to the ground. An enormous strip mine scars the landscape. Cities progressively increase in size and take on a mechanical breathing sound. The result is overpopulation, mass production, factory farms, poverty, prostitution, war, and ultimately genocide. Act 3 is one of redemption. Civilizations ultimately collapse under their own weight, and people are purified by returning to nature and religious ritual."
Below are a few stills from the movie showing a fraction of the people / religions incorporated into the film.
Baraka no doubt is a beautiful film about spirituality, the environment, and life itself.
My question is:
How does the presentation (form, medium, etc.) of a religion affect our opinions and thoughts of that religion / people / culture?
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ReplyDeleteNice post Ben. I think you are smart and cool. But I wrote my full response to Curtis' blog, cuz it was about the matrix and Truman show.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Verzello:
ReplyDeleteI like how you pair religion and people in this discussion, because in many parts of the world there is only one dominant religion. It is easy to forget this because we live in a country with religious freedom and much religious diversity.
As for my response to your question, it seems to me that when it comes to affecting our perceptions of various peoples and religions, the medium isn't as important as the message, including the tone, style and content. For example, the Barbara Walters interview with the Dalai Lama was set up to be a mystical and even holy experience for the viewers. The producers used specific music, imagery, and interview questions to frame the story about the Dalai Lama that reinforced our perception of the religion: relaxed, calm, peaceful. I'm sure the same type of story about Islam or any other religion would be told in a very different way, but in a way that reinforced our perceptions. In my opinion, this is because the producers want viewers and high ratings and they can best achieve this through playing to how people already think and feel.
Because of Baraka's lack of dialogue, I would really like to see it. While the filmmakers are still telling a story and shaping the viewers' perceptions of various peoples with their images, I think the influence will be much less than a movie or television feature that uses words to explain the story.
This post is very interesting to me. The lack of dialogue in the film seems to be a more unconventional way of presentation, especially considering modern day media methodology. But to me, the fact that 'no dialogue' isn't used as much seems to be a strength of its unique structure.
ReplyDeleteWhile I haven't seen the film (but would really like to) I watched the trailer and was able to feel that mystical atmosphere that is created by the music, shot type etc., similar to the one we discussed in class. It creates a sense of seriousness and importance. It sort of has the ability to captivate an audience in an unusual way.
As for the question, I definitely feel that the way a religion is presented affects our opinions and thoughts about that religion. I think that it does so by catering to and triggering an emotional response. Whether that response forms admiration, respect, amusement etc., the way it is presented is what triggers that emotion.
In reality I think that many decisions we make are formed from emotional responses. Whether that is good or bad is hard to say, but it seems that if this is the case then what religious content we take in from the media might not always provide us with the legitimate knowledge we need to form logical opinions.
At first I agreed that a portrayal without words would make the learning experience completely the viewers.
ReplyDeleteI recalled the reading earlier this week about the feminine, and how so many women are trying to undo the years of learning (from both written and oral teachings), who claim their religious experience is heavily marred by the language in which is was taught( patriarchal).
But as I watched the trailer for the movie, I realized something. Although images are free for personal interpretation, the sequence and manner in which they are shown are completely in the hands of the director. In this way, the audience is still prey to the framing of religion, and how the director feels himself. I do not believe this to be some sinister act, or even trickery on the director's part. However, it is almost impossible to make a strictly informational and unbiased movie (even without words), because of the scenes chosen, and what the movie portrays.
As far as the impact the movie has on the audience of course varies. But, I think with the absence of words, the viewer feels more independent to reflect on the images, and feel as though he/she is forming a personal opinion, and not following another's. I also believe that without words it gives the overall experience more reverence and spirituality.
Sarah Wett