Chronos
Chronos , "An incredible visual-music journey through time", released in 1985, 40 minutes.
Chronos was Ron Fricke, Mark Magidson, Michael Stearns and Alton Walpole's first collaboration.
Chronos is a very positive film showing beauty from around the world. Chronos has the feel of Baraka, yet its content is often more about how the subject is shown/filmed instead of the subject itself. But don't let that put you off, I think Chronos is greatly underrated. The incredible time lapse sequences, concepts and techniques clearly being the seed for Baraka.
My opinion
Chronos is a greatly overlooked film. Although only 40 minutes in length the content is outstanding. All of the images are of the great things on the planet (with the exception of Dunkirk perhaps). Filmed with great care and consistency. The time lapse scenes are rivaled only by Baraka. The aerial view of the changing tide at Mont-St-Michel is incredible, Michael Stearns choice of music is excellent. The accelerated scenes of humans moving remind you we are just animals. They often become so fast and intense you feel like jumping up and shouting "Stop!", but the journey then ends leaving you gazing at rolling clouds. Perhaps some of the best footage ever of Stonehenge, without the now worrying chain fencing.
The shots inside the buildings are also incredible, particularly the moving beams of sunlight. A must for any Ron Fricke/Baraka fan.
Perhaps a test run for Baraka, but a great film in its own right.
Images
Watch Chronos
You can watch Chronos on YouTube
Filming Locations (Taken from VHS sleeve)
Stonehenge, Four Corners USA, Grand Canyon, New York City, Qumram Israel (Source of the Dead Sea Scrolls), Pyramids at Gizah, Sphinx, Temple of Nefertari (Abu Simbel), Temple of Rameses II (Abu Simbel), Temple of Karnak (Luxor), The Rameseum (Luxor), Temple at Habu (Luxor), Greek Sculpture (Louvre, Paris), Winged Victory (Louvre, Paris), Acropolis at Athens, Pompeii, Rome, Mont-St.-Michel (France), Rheims Cathedral (France), Notre-Dame (France), Toledo Cathedral (Spain), Vatican, Wardour Castle (Salisbury, England), Nunney Castle (England), "Prisoner" sculpture by Michaelangelo, Paris, Versailles, Galeria (Milan), La Scala (Milan), Old City (Jerusalem), Gare St. (Lazare, Paris), Renault Factory (Paris), Paris Metro, Grand Central Station (NYC), Bonaventure Hotel (LA), Beverly Centre (LA), Crystal Cathedral (Anaheim), Egypt, Greece, Florence, Monument Valley (Utah), Segovia Castle (Spain), Hall of Mirrors (Versailles), Maison La Fitte Chateau (France), Sainte Chappelle (Paris), Lion's Gate (Vatican), Normandy Beaches (France), Ellis Island (NYC), Rockefeller Center (NYC), Los Angeles, Venice, Paris.
Credits
- Filmed and Directed by Ron Fricke.
- Produced by Ron Fricke & Mark Magidson.
- Edited by Alton Walpole & Ron Fricke.
- Music by Michael Stearns.