Baraka (1992)

"Baraka" is a non-narrative documentary film that delves into themes of nature, life, human activities, and technological phenomena through a visual journey across 24 countries on six continents, filmed over a 14-month period. The film is named after the Islamic concept of "baraka," meaning blessing, or "Baruch" in Hebrew, signifying essence or breath.

Directed by Ron Fricke, "Baraka" is a follow-up to Godfrey Reggio's similar non-verbal documentary "Koyaanisqatsi." Fricke, who was the cinematographer for "Koyaanisqatsi," further refined and expanded the photographic techniques used in that film. Shot in 70 mm, "Baraka" employs a variety of photographic styles, including slow motion and time-lapse, using two camera systems: a Todd-AO system for conventional frame rates and a custom-built camera for time-lapse sequences with controlled movements.

The film features diverse locations such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Ryōan temple in Kyoto, Lake Natron in Tanzania, burning oil fields in Kuwait, an active volcano, a busy subway terminal, the aircraft boneyard of Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, tribal celebrations of the Maasai in Kenya, and chanting monks in the Dip Tse Chok Ling monastery. It also includes long tracking shots through significant historical sites like Auschwitz and Tuol Sleng, offering a universal cultural perspective.