The Spirit of Baraka celebrates nonverbal films such as Baraka and Koyaanisqatsi, which are the most well know. Below is an introduction to the nonverbal films featured on this web site. They are listed in a general order or popularity. Check the history of the films for a time line representation.
Baraka (1992) was created by Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson. Baraka contains images of landscapes, cultures and the planet in general. Baraka has the broadest subject matter of all of the films. Baraka was shot in 24 countries during a 13 month period. Shot using 70mm film, Baraka has the highest visual quality of all of the films. Ron Fricke had already contributed to Koyaanisqatsi, and had already created Chronos when Baraka was created.
Koyaanisqatsi (1983) was the first film of the nonverbal genre. Directed by Godfrey Reggio and with Ron Fricke as the primary cinematographer. Koyaanisqatsi contains images from Northern America. The content is of a broad theme. The quality of footage varies, as Koyaanisqatsi was shot over many years (during the 1970's and 1980's). It also uses some stock footage, including a brief section of black and white (the lines of tanks). The DVD re-release helped standardise the footage quality.
Microcosmos (1996) is a french film also know as Le peuple de l'herbe (people of the grass). Microcosmos shows the animals, insects and plants found in a french meadow on a summers day. The images are amazing. The shots make it feel like the snails are life size, and the beetle has a day just like a humans. The first of the films concentrating on animals. Claude Nuridsany and Marie Pérennou's Microcosmos uses camera technology to create a stunning film which expands the genre.
Chronos (1985) was created by Ron Fricke and his team, who later created Baraka. Chronos has many of the ideas and concepts already used in Koyaanisqatsi, that where also later used in Baraka. Chronos contains images of landscapes, buildings and monuments. Chronos has a less spiritual feel than Baraka, and a less hectic theme than Koyaanisqatsi.
Samsara is Ron Fricke's follow up film to Baraka. Samsara is currently in production. Details regarding Samsara can be found on the Samsara page.
Winged Migration (2001) is a film featuring the migration and living patterns of birds. Winged Migration, also known as Le Peuple migrateur, was made by the same team as Microcosmos. The images are stunning. Winged Migration expands the genre by adding a film with a different style to the others.
Naqoyqatsi (2002) is the final part of Godfrey Reggio's Qatsi trilogy. Naqoyqatsi has several differences to the earlier Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi. Naqoyqatsi uses stock footage, rather than footage shot especially for the film. It also uses a lot of special effects. It has proved to be very different in style and theme to the other Qatsi films, which has caused some controversy.
Powaqqatsi (1988) is the second film in the Qatsi Trilogy. Powaqqatsi contains images from the people, culture and landscapes of the developing world. The images are very rich and colourful. Although not as deep in content as Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi is a popular film.
Dogora (2004) is a film that shows the lives of the people of Cambodia. Patrice Leconte has deliberately avoiding filming the obvious locations of Angkor and the Killing Fields. Instead he has beautifully captured the daily tasks of the people of Cambodia. It's a great film, with a slightly different style to the other films.
Anima Mundi (1992) contains images of the animals of the world. Created by Godfrey Reggio of Qatsi fame, Anima Mundi was backed by the WWF and was used to promote the activities of animal awareness.
Atlantis (1991) shows images of underwater animals. Created by Luc Besson, a keen diver, Atlantis is Besson's only nonverbal film. The cinematography in Atlantis is excellent. Atlantis broadens the nonverbal genre with its unique style.
Baraka
Koyaanisqatsi
Dogora
Winged Migration
Chronos
Powaqqatsi
Microcosmos
Naqoyqatsi
March of the Penguins
The Blue Planet
1 Giant Leap
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