Baraka
A monumental wordless journey across landscapes, rituals, cities, and sites of suffering, searching for spiritual unity amid civilization's destruction.
Overview
A visual journey through the beauty and brutality of our world, capturing the essence of humanity and nature.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- contemplative
- reverent
- awe-inspiring
- immersive viewing
- quiet reflection
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Baraka as an extraordinarily beautiful and contemplative large-format visual documentary whose cross-cultural and spiritual scope is matched by its cinematic power.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film contains no dialogue or voice-over and develops its ideas through sequences of landscapes, rituals, industry, poverty, and war.
The camera lingers on Balinese kecak performance, prayer, body painting, pilgrimage, funeral rites, and monastic practice.
Volcanoes, forests, waterfalls, logging, blasting, strip mining, factories, and dense urban life are arranged as opposing visual forces.
Filmed across approximately two dozen countries, the documentary juxtaposes culturally distinct communities through recurring images of prayer, labor, dance, and contemplation.
Films like Baraka, and why
Samsara
shared wordless documentary form, immersive global imagery, spiritual inquiry, and emphasis on humanity's relationship with nature
Koyaanisqatsi
shared contemplative pacing, transcendent natural landscapes, nonverbal storytelling, and large-format visual spectacle
Chronos
shared poetic documentary structure, cross-cultural observation, ritual imagery, and meditative attention to human existence
The Qatsi Trilogy
shared silent visual essay approach, global cultural portraiture, environmental concern, and juxtaposition of modern life with ancient traditions
Movie Details
- Director
- Ron Fricke
- Release Date
- 1992-09-15
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 8.2 / 10 (724)
Cast
- Patrick Disanto
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Baraka about?
- A monumental wordless journey across landscapes, rituals, cities, and sites of suffering, searching for spiritual unity amid civilization's destruction.
- What is Baraka like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Baraka as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Baraka violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Baraka as moderate.
- What did critics think of Baraka?
- Critics broadly regard Baraka as an extraordinarily beautiful and contemplative large-format visual documentary whose cross-cultural and spiritual scope is matched by its cinematic power.
- Which films are like Baraka?
- Films with a similar feel include Samsara, Koyaanisqatsi, Chronos, and The Qatsi Trilogy.
- How long is Baraka?
- Baraka runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Baraka?
- In United States, Baraka streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
