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Baraka
1992 97 min United States of America 12+
★8.3
Documentary
Director: Ron Fricke
Trailers
Description
A paralysingly beautiful documentary with a global vision—an odyssey through landscape and time—that attempts to capture the essence of life.
Budget:
$4M
US Gross:
$1.33M
Starring
Patrick Disanto
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 2 nominations total
Key opinion
Baraka is widely regarded as a visually stunning, meditative, and non-narrative documentary that uses global cinematography to contrast the majesty of the natural world with the mechanical chaos of modern civilization. While supporters praise its profound, hypnotic, and philosophical depth, detractors find its message simplistic, repetitive, or geographically narrow.
| Cinematography | The cinematography is masterfully executed, utilizing high-quality 65mm film to create an intoxicating and immersive visual experience. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds as a powerful, wordless philosophical essay that forces viewers to pause and reflect on humanity's place in the world. | |
| Score | The score is highly evocative and effectively enhances the film's emotional and existential weight for most viewers. | |
| Pacing | The film’s non-narrative, slow-burn approach serves as a hypnotic experience for some, while others find the contemplative tempo tedious or boring. | |
| Theme | The message is praised by some as a profound satire of modern life, whereas others criticize the philosophical content as being unoriginal or simplistic. |