"Baraka" Epic 70mm Feature Shot In 24 Countries | This article first appeared in |
| Written by: | Issue 67 - March 2002 |
 "Baraka", an ancient Sufi word with forms in many languages, can simply be translated as a blessing, or as the breath, or essence of life from which the evolutionary process unfolds.When the late philosopher Joseph Campbell challenged storytellers in his monumental work "The Power Of Myth" to tell the "only myth worth thinking", the story of our planet and human interaction with it, he demanded that it be told with "the eye of reason".. beyond nationality, religion and linguistic separation. Baraka producer Mark Magidson and director-cinematographer Ron Fricke took Campbell's challenge personally. They realized that this quest for the ultimate story of our unique outpost in space was perfect for the kind of epic filmmaking in which an unfolding of story and awareness through images and sound and music could speak directly to the soul and mind of the viewer, bypassing words, exciting the eye and ear and imagination with a sweep of visions and sounds. To achieve this the filmmakers embarked on what was literally a "world-wide' odyssey to capture the images which would tell the story of the earth's evolution, o man's diversity and inter-connectedness, and his impact on the world he inhabits. They have made a film that transcends geographical and language barriers in an effort to move and inspire audiences around the world. Using the exquisite 70 millimeter film format, a technique used on such film as "Ryan's Daughter" and "Lawrence of Arabia" over two decades ago, the two filmmakers and crew traveled the world for 14 months to record evidence of the planet's past, present and future hidden in some of the most remote and seldom explored corners of the earth. A specially designed and constructed a computer controlled time-lapse camera was utilized in the world-encompassing sweep of film locations from the tropics to the frozen Himalayas. A second 70mm camera supplied by the Todd-AO corporation was also used. This story-telling without the intrusion of words was utilized by Fricke and Magidson previously as co-producers of the award winning IMAX film "Chronos" (directed by Fricke) and by Fricke on "Koyaanisqatsi" (as director of photography and co-editor). He and Magidson (both co-editors of "Baraka") have engaged composer Michael Stearns to compliment the extraordinary images and sounds through which Baraka's story is told. The production also reunited the filmmakers with "Chronos" veteran Alton Walpole who was responsible for the dizzying task of planning and accessing the film's locations. "Baraka" was photographed on six continents in 24 countries including such diverse locations as Tanzania, China, Brazil, Japan, Kuwait, Cambodia, Iran and Nepal together with major U.S. and European locales. In capturing the glories and violent calamities that nature and man have brought to planet earth, "Baraka" tells the spellbinding story of the tumultuous interaction of earth and man. Go to Baraka - A Visual Journal Go to Baraka: The North American 70mm Engagements Go to Review of "Baraka" Blu-ray version Go to Baraka - From 65mm to Blu-ray Go to "Baraka" The High Rez HD Digital lntermediate Restoration: HR/HD DI Go to "Baraka" Fully restored for Blu-ray | More in 70mm reading: An Interview with Ron Fricke "Baraka" presented in Todd-AO in a swimbath, August 2000, Copenhagen, DK "Samsara" Cast & Credits in70mm.com News Peripheral Vision, Scopes, Dimensions and Panoramas in70mm.com's Library Presented on the big screen in 7OMM 7OMM and Cinema Across the World Now showing in 70mm in a theatre near you! 70mm Retro - Festivals and Screenings |
 MARK MAGIDSONProducer Mark Magidson, Baraka's producer, is also the film's co-writer and co-editor. His diverse interests led to his involvement with film-making which began with the IMAX film Chronos (1985). An inventor and successful businessman, he was drawn to the project because of its potential to bring a moving experience to an audience in an innovative way. He was key in securing financing for the film and was involved in all aspects of the production as Chronos' co-producer. Chronos was awarded the Grand Prix du Jury Award at the first Festival International du Film Omnimax de Paris (1987). Recognizing that the film was ideally suited for large-format exhibition where there could be a profound experience associated with the presentation, and frustrated by the lack of venues in the IMAX format, he developed a first of its kind road show system for the film in a new 70 mm format, expanding its availability beyond the limited confines of the IMAX theatre chain. Viewing Chronos as a stepping stone to a broader and more complex film in the same genre, he then began to develop the 70mm feature project that was to become Baraka. It has taken more than seven years to make the film a reality. His uncompromising drive to fulfill Baraka's potential was responsible for the intensive but unprecedented shooting schedule that took him and the crew to 24 countries over a 14 month period in a search for new and unfamiliar imagery. | |
 RON FRICKEDirector, Cinematographer Ron Fricke is a meticulous filmmaker who has mastered a wide range of skills. In his early work as director of photography, co-editor and co-writer for Koyaanisqatsi, a renowned nonverbal art film, Fricke experimented with many previously obscure film techniques. He used timelapse, slow motion and optical phase printing to present familiar images from a new perspective. Koyaanisqatsi won a 1983 Filmex Audience Award. Determined to make life affirming films, Fricke proceeded to direct and co-produce Chronos, an innovative, non-verbal, IMAX film that won the Grand Prix du Jury Award at the first Festival International Omnimax de Paris (1987). For Chronos Fricke designed an IMAX compatible camera with the capacity to shoot motion-controlled images, a revolutionary concept in the IMAX industry. Fricke gained experience on several other IMAX films including Sacred Site (1986) which he directed and photographed. Baraka is a nonverbal feature film photographed in 70mm in over twenty countries. It develops the themes of interconnection and transcendence, which Fricke began to explore in Chronos, "Baraka is a journey of rediscovery that plunges into nature, into history, into the human spirit and finally into the realm of the infinite." In order to capture the exquisite rotating star fields in the film's finale, Fricke designed a more flexible and complex version of the 70mm time-lapse camera he designed for Chronos. Fricke directed, photographed, co-edited, and co-wrote Baraka (1992). | |
| MICHAEL STEARNS Composer Michael Stearns is a composer of contemporary music utilizing instruments from cultures around the world, newly developed acoustic and electronic instruments, sounds of nature, and the human voice. He is a renowned composer and soundtrack designer of IMAX and other large format films. In the past he has worked with director Ron Fricke to compose the original score for Chronos (1985) and Sacred Sight (1986). His most recent OMNIMAX soundtrack, Tropical Rain Forest (1992), was produced for academy award winning director Ben Shedd. Stearn's musical vision for Baraka is that of diverse sounds and music that comprise original composition, ethnic music and the creative combination of many elements to form a score as dynamic and varied as the film's images. He was able to join the crew on several location shoots and captured many of the indigenous sounds and music that he has utilised. Michael has released 10 solo albums since 1977. Ancient Leaves, Sustaining Cylinders, Morning Jewel, Planetary Unfolding, Lyra, M'ocean, Chronos, Plunge, Floating Whispers, and Encounter. His television soundtracks include work for 20/20, ABC's The World of Explorers, and Ripley's Believe It or Not. His music has also been used in NASA presentations, for Laserium shows, and has been choreographed by the Berkshire Ballet. | |
| ALTON WALPOLE Supervising Producer Alton Walpole is a filmmaker who possesses many skills. He has a degree in Fine Arts with a major in photography from the University of New Mexico where he also studied and taught architecture. He co-founded a multi-use arts complex in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he served as the Director for five years supervising both the artistic and the administrative management. Alton has worked in a wide range of capacities on numerous documentaries, commercials, and "traditional" feature films. His interest in "visual" filmmaking began in 1979 when he co-edited Koyaanisqatsi with Ron Fricke. He also co-edited the sequel Powaqqatsi and travelled for seven months, primarily in the Third World, as Unit Director. Alton also co-edited and served as the Production Manager for Chronos. Alton has extensive experience in coordinating film projects of a visual nature as well as managing the logistics of international travel. His responsibilities in Baraka included the monumental task of planning and accessing the films 24 country, 14 month shooting schedule. He was able to work out filming permission to such difficult locations as Iran, Cambodia, and Kuwait amongst others. When he is not traveling he currently divides his time between Los Angeles and Santa Fe where he owns his own production company, Mountainair Films. | |
Cast & Credits | |
Original title: Baraka. Danish title: Baraka. Filmed in: 65mm 5 perforations, 24 frames per second. Principal photography in: Todd-AO 70mm. Presented in: Todd-AO. Aspect ratio: 2,21:1. Country of origin: USA. Production year: 1992. World Premiere: Montreal World Film Festival. Montreal, Canada, 30.08.1992. London premiere: MGM Haymarket, 16.07.1993, 2:30, 5:30 & 8:30. Benefit performance for "Friends of the Earth" the 15.07.1993. Danish premiere: 04.06.1993. Cinema and play times: Imperial Bio, Copenhagen 12:00 - 14:15 - 16:30 - 19:00 - 21:15 (04.06.1993-17.06.1993). Additional DK premieres: Bio, Malling (02.08.1993-15.08.1993). Biffen, Aalborg (01.11.1993-21.11.1993). |
|
 Location research: Robin Smith. Location production assistance: Alaska: Janet Fries (Pacific Communications and Marketing), Arizona: Susan Sand, Gail Wasserman & Karen Scates & Brenda Sperduti (American Express), Colonel Rianda (United States Air Force), Kee Long (Navajo Nation, Office of broadcast services), Thunderbird Lodge, Peabody Coal Company, David S. DeYoung & Vicki Miller (Kit Peak National Observatory), Australia: Jim Mann, Michael Boon & Terry Slack (Slack & Boon), Alan Walker & John Chesher (Jet Aviation Pty. Ltd.), Peter Aland, John Willis (Mutitjulu Community, Uluru National Park), Brasil: Lincoln Continentino Filho, Marisa Gandelman, The Kayapo Indians of Al Aukre, California: Lexine Alpert, Cambodia: Daniel Kahrs, Po Sivatha, Satharn Pairaoh, Yeang Sokhan, Meas Youna, Vicki Gregory, Chum Bun Rong & Hor Sothoun (Ministry of foreign affairs, Press department), China: Shen Zhihua & Zhany Zhengzheng (China Film Co-Production Corporation), Luo Zhengang & Di Rongan (Cultural Bureau of Shaanxi Province), Mo Zhoubao & Zhong Ming (Guilin Foreign Affairs Office), Yu Jingshen, Director Yuan Zhongyi (Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses of Qin Shi Huang, Xian), Song Zhenxing (Foreign Exhibition Department, Ancient relic bureau, Shaanxi Province), Zhou Gui Qing (Quilin Foreign Affairs Office), Colorado: Superintendent Robert Heyder (Mesa Verde National Park), Equador: Carlos Saavedra Jr, Carlos E. Arcos, Patricio Suarez, Jr, Jack Stein Grove, Alcides Rugel, Hector Heredia & Jaime Diego Jarrin (Ecuatoriana Airlines), Patricio Suarez (Saeta Airlines), Eye of the world photography, The crew of the M/Y Amigo, Egypt: Aly Helmy, Salah Fahmy, Meridien Hotels, Soad Kotb, The Egyptian Air Force, France: Jacques Kahn, Architects of monuments historiques (Chartres and Reims), Clergy and personnel of Chartres and Reims Cathedrals, Hawaii: Bob Green, Chief ranger John Erickson (Volcanos National Park), Chief ranger Karen Newton Ardoin (Haleakala National Park), Trudi Zelko (Hawaii 2000), Manager Charlene Goo (Keauhou Beach Hotel), Hong Kong: Allen Wan, Philip Lee, India: Hari Sewak Dwivedi, Samir Das, Dhavala Mallik, Archeological survey of India, Ministry of external affairs, Goverment of India, L. Kamaraj, Laxman Persad, Indian Airlines, Mr M.Y. Ansari, Varanasi city police department, Satkar travel lines, Jeena Company, Indonesia: Rasmini Gardiner, Sid Perret, Jaka Setiawan, Rio Helmi, George Wordsworth, Director general of tourism Joop Ave, Peter Pangaribuan, garuda Airlines, Her royal highness princess Koes Moertiyah, Mas Bowho, The palace of the Kasunanan, Organizing committe of the sekaten Festival, The Sekaten festival, Iran: Babek Fardfar (Harmonic Images, Los Angeles), M Ibrahimi (Iranian consualte general, Rome, Italy), M Zamani (Interests section of the islamic republic of Iran, Washington, D.C.), Israel: Ulrike Haen, Shimon Sabach - Key Grip), Shriki Yitzchak, Church of the holy Sepulchre, Their excellencies the heads of the greek, armenian, coptic and latin churches - The western wall authorities, Halil, Italy: Dante Colitta, Gavino DeVilla, Mrs. Marjorie Weeke (Social communication council of the Vatican), Japan: Terry Shiraishi, Robert George, Deki Goto, Mr. Yakawa (Global Air), Mr. Imaizumi (Daigai Building), Mr. Nojima (Izumi-Yu), Ann Sano, Imagica, Kenya: B.J. Boulter, Mara River Camp Ltd., Ministry of information and broadcasting, Directorate of civil aviation, Norok County Council, Kuwait: Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait Ministry of information, Kuwait Information Center - Cairo, Egypt, Mexico: Juan E. Garcia & Associates, Nepal: Broughten Coburn, Lee Birch, Sonam Gyalpo & Jhan Man Lama (Mountain Travel Nepal), Anil Gurang, Kancha Morjan, Tsewang Lama Sherpa, Dawa Tamang, Kumar Raj Gurung, Chetanath Adikari, Kala Tamang, Triratna Vajracharya, Royal Nepal Film Commision, Ministry of communication, Bharat Bahadur Adhikary, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Targay, Hotel Everest View - Charter flight coordinator D.R. Pandy, Shangrila Hotel, New Mexico: Kee Long (Navajo Nation, Office of broadcast services), New York: Carlo Ontal, New York Department of corrections, Sgt. J. Reilly & Sgt. S. Albury (Greenhaven Correctional Facility), Port authority of New York and New Jersey, Metro North Commuter Railroad, New York Department of sanitation, World Trade Center lasers - Science Faction N. Y., The Rockefeller Group, The Helmsley building - 230 Park Avenue, Helmsley Spear Company and the Empire State Building, Taro Yukitake, Peru: Sonia Arispe & Mario Rivas & Francisco Salomon (Cinematografica Proyeccion), Marggie Castellano & Marco Aristando (Explorandes), Poland: Rudolf Janota, Director Jerzy Wroblewski (Auschwith Museum), Specialist Adam Wozniak & Deputy Specialist Andrzej Macherzynski (Brobrek Steelworks), Simon Wiesenthal Center - Los Angeles, NOVA, WGBH - Boston, Thailand: Surat Sribuapeun, Public relations Department, Religious Affairs Department, Turkey: Aylin Ayar, Electrician Ali Salim Yasar, Electrician Alihan Kutlar, Driver Yasar Enes, The Association of Galata Mevlevi Temple, Contemporary lovers of Mevlana, USSR: David Gamburg (Illusion Pictures), Utah: George "Bego" Gerhart, Larry Campbell, Mike Welch, Moab Film Commission, Superintendent James Webster & Ranger Paul Cowan (Arches National Park), Ranger Tony Schetzsle (Canyonlands National Park). Production assistants: Chris Corkins, Kimber Hightower, Brian Kennedy, Nicole Nanos, Ken Neal, Kurt Frey. Legal: Greenberg, Glusker, Claman, Fields & Machtinger. Production accounting: Beverly Soo Hoo (Gorelick, Uslaner, Matzner & Freed). Assistant accountant: Public relations: Jerry Pam (Guttman & Pam Ltd.). Production office manager: Janice Mathewson. Insurance: Tom Putnam (Curland Peterson). Aerial pilots: Africair, Z Boskovik Air Charters Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya, William J. Silaa (Autair Helicopters (EA) Ltd. Nairobi, Kenya), Ashraf Osman (The Egyptian Air Force, Cairo, Egypt), Capt. Raymond Anderson & Capt. Gregory Nutt (Evergreen Helicopter, Portland, Oregon/Kuwait),Goverment of Rondonia, Rondonia, Brasil, Capt. Douglas Cavanaugh (Heliservices HK Ltd., Hong Kong), John Greenway & Nick Harrington (Hilo Bay Air, Hilo, Hawaii), Roger Hortop (Rotor Air Services, jabiru, Australia), Tom Moorehead & Dennis Baker (Southwest Helicopters, Tucson, Arizona). Travel Arrangement: Plaza Travel, Evelyn Handler. Additional travel arrangements: Hoffman Travel. Special thanks: Shirley Magidson, Nina Cooper, Moldex-Metric, Inc. Pre-production coordinator: Shelly Palmer. Post production consultant: David Bartholomew. Post production supervisor: Alton Walpole. Post production coordinator: Gay Browning. Opticals: The Chandler Group, Imagica. Main title design: Michael D. Gibson. End credit by: Pacific Title. Typography by: Hollywood Title Services. 70mm film to tape transfer: Crest National Laboratory & Video Image Inc. Original soundtrack on: Milan 74321 15306-2. Laserdisc on: MPI CLV 7060. DVD on: MPI DVD 7060. Film stock: Eastman 96 & 48. Shooting ratio: 10:1. Negative conforming: James Sheridan, Peter Yanovitch. Processing: DeLuxe Laboratory. 70mm film assembly: David Bartholomew. 70mm prints: DeLuxe Laboratory. Color timer: Bill Pine. Recorded in: Dolby "A" Six Track magnetic stereo with stereo sourround (format 43). 70mm running time: 96 min. Meters: 3292 Feet: 10,800. Danish distributor: Pathe - Nordisk Film Distribution AS. Awards: "Best Picture" (Hors Concours) International Film Critics Jury Award Montreal Film Festival 1992. Synopsis: Baraka is an ancient Sufi word with forms in many languages. It is simply translated as a blessing, or the breath or essence of life from which the evolutionary process unfolds. Baraka, the epic non-verbal film, tells the story of the earth's evolution, man's diversity and interconnection, and his impact on the planet. According to director Ron Fricke, "It is a journey of rediscovery that plunges into nature, history, the human spirit, and finally into the realm of the infinite". The film was shot in 70mm in 24 countries, in such diverse locales as Brazil, Nepal, Cambodia, Kuwait, India, Tanzania and Iran (soundtrack text). Miscellaneous: 6060 people saw the film at Imperial Bio, Copenhagen. Net gross was DKK 311.930,00. Press performance at Imperial Bio Wednesday 02.06.1993 at kl 10:00 am. Celebrity performance Thursday the 03.06.1993 at Imperial bio, Copenhagen at 21:30. The print cost USD 6000 dollars. 1. and 2. reel was exchanged due to a scratch. The print was used. Also see "Koyaanisqatsi" (1983), "Chronos" (1985) and "Sacred Site" (1986). Articles: American Cinematographer, November 1993 s. 58ff. "..in 70mm - The 70mm Newsletter" Issue 62 - 2000 "Todd-AO At Sea". | |
| Go: back - top - back issues Updated 11-09-26 |