Review of Baraka (1992) by Chris G — 21 Feb 2011

I am floored. Anybody who likes film as art must see this. Also, anybody who was depressed after seeing Avatar because it wasn't real (I know you're out there. I read articles about you). After seeing Baraka, you'll be convinced that our planet is stunning enough.

This is a non-narrative film, so don't dive in expecting a plot. The best way to describe it is as a "visual poem". Images and accompanying music. Themes are grouped together (Australian Aboriginies are juxtaposed with African herdsman and Peruvian tribesmen, Hasidic Jews at the Western Wall are juxtaposed with Muslims at prayer, an empty Nazi concentration camp with a pile of discarded shoes is juxtaposed with an empty Khmer Rouge compound with a pile of discarded skulls).

I read several reviews of the restoration that said it was probably the highest quality DVD ever made. I may have to agree.