Today I watched the film "Baraka" in film class. I love the title, meaning "breath" or "essence" in Persian Sufi, because the audience can immediately realize that this film will, in many cases, be about a different culture. The meaning of "Baraka" is especially important in summing up the film in one word because it is breath is an everyday thing for living creatures, much like what we see in the film are things happening everyday. The term "essence" is also a good summing word because it is the essence of life on Earth. We can't actually be in all of these places. For the viewer it isn't currently a tangible thing, but we can get a taste of what it's like.
This is also done by the lack of narration or text. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can watch this and understand it. It can open up the otherwise hidden or unacknowledged cultures of the world to others so that it creates an outstanding unity among the viewers. It is a universal film.
The best way I can explain what I think of this film by saying it is absolutely stunning. The shots are all "a day in the life of..." kinds of things, at least glimpses of their lives, or just views of nature in action. What makes it so great is foremost the cinematography. It is shown from all types of angles, from a close-up of a monkey to an aerial view of a giant flock of birds. I like the time lapse shots because it isn't as though I am seeing the same shot over and over again. Each one is different and from a different view, so it is much more captivating. I like the lighting especially in these shots because it isn't one moment in time, it is different views as the earth rotates around the sun, which creates a really cool effect of the sun on the landscape. This is seen when the sun creates the orange glow under the archway, which looks really interesting against the blue sky.
Also, it isn't shot in the same place. It is evident that much effort was made in the filming process because not only were there some extremely professional shots, but they were shot in so many locations at all times of day. In addition, just the plain medium shots or close-ups of the people from those countries can tell a lot about that kind of culture or just those specific people because of the dress and makeup.
The lack of narrative structure is also what makes it so great. With a story, there is a limit of locations that the actor goes to. It can't just be about someone going all over the world and seeing these sights because the actor would be insignificant, but not having a plot gives endless possibilities of the locations and types of shots. If there had to be a story in this film, however, I think it is a story of the world.
What is really great about the editing is that the audience is constantly being moved around the world. Showing the Jews and then the worshippers in Turkey makes the audience think and compare so that it isn't just a stack of meaningless movie clips. It shows very contrasting images so the audience can understand the extreme diversity in lifestyles that some people may not be aware of.
The music really stands out to me because it cultural music outside of what Americans tend to listen to. It's a refreshing change that, for the most part, contributes to a peacefulness of the cinematography. In the scenes representing poverty, the music is very sad, but I still enjoy the cultural aspect it brings. And how can anyone dislike those bagpipes? I just love the authenticity.
I interpret "Baraka" as informative as well as inspiring. In some areas we get a modern look at the world, but, because a lot of it includes nature, the vision may also be that if we, the world's people, don't do something to protect this wildlife and culture, it will all be lost. It also gives an important look at how some people are living in the world. It really opened my eyes to a lot of and financial and economic issues people everywhere struggle with, as well as some of the practices going on behind closed doors that I never knew existed or never really witnessed. This is in reference to the chicks and caged chickens as well as cutting down the trees. The main reaction this film triggers is how I feel as though if the world continues the way the modern world is, without any real attention to concerns about nature and its creatures, all we will have left of the world outside cities and my own life is this film. It encourages me to want to go see all of these places and people, but I don't want to be within the last generation to see it.
When we see the city-like areas, we see that it is crowded and dirty. There are homeless people, prostitutes, and inhumane practices. Some people just try to ignore these problems, but they are always there for a lot of people. It creates less colorful,and more dismal scenes, but at least it is honest.
When looking at nature and the cultures living in it, on the other hand, it all looks very clean and vibrant. All of the problems of a modern city life seem to drift away because of the natural beauty that has yet to be polluted by the toxic air of the future. These are the shots that I think make people want to strive to preserve it.
Also, when looking at the time-lapse of the synchronized traffic, it looks very routine and organized, which differs from the serenity and explorative potential of nature. This definitely adds a lot of contrast to the film.
In addition, many of the city shots are really depressing to look at because of the amount of those in poverty. This is scene especially when the (I believe they are) Indians are looking for food and anything useful in the dump, which really adds to the concept that there are lot of people out there whose lives are centered around just surviving.
Another contrasting part of the film is in Asia when the man with the beige hat is walking down the street. The passerby look at him as though it is a rare or strange sight. We also see what looks like hundreds of women working in a cigarette factory. This especially caught my attention because even within the same place there is diversity in culture. They are both in big cities in Asia, but one man is in traditional, perhaps religious dress, while the women are busy at their jobs. Two completely different lifestyles can be found among the same ethnic group of people.
The reason we watched "Baraka", for the sake of film, is because of it's amazing camera angles, it's interesting choice in music, and its ability to create irony with a purpose through images. On a more "audience" level, we watched it because it shows the type of world we're living in. A lot of the scenes in that movie were parts of the world or happenings in the world that I was completely unaware of, so it is really astonishing.
One way I can imagine someone would be drawn to creating a film like this is by traveling a lot, seeing the sights, and wanting to capture them forever. Also, it may have arisen from someone who has never been anywhere special, but they feel the need to break their cycle by seeing the world.
Overall, "Baraka" is a cultural and global masterpiece.
No comments:
Post a Comment