The Spirit of Baraka celebrates nonverbal films such as Baraka, Koyaanisqatsi and the people who made them. All of the films featured on this web site offer something different to regular movies.  The films have no plot, no actors and no script but instead contain images from around the world.

Featured films Baraka (1992) is a film containing images of landscapes, cultures, monuments and people from around the world. The most popular of the nonverbal films here.  Filmed on very high quality 70mm.  Created by Ron Fricke, and now with an excellent DVD transfer Koyaanisqatsi (1983) was the first film in the nonverbal genre, and remains one of the most popular. Provoking images of the northern hemisphere are presented in an inspiring manner. Emulated in part by most films here.  Directed by Godfrey Reggio, shot by Ron Fricke. Winged Migration (2001) is the latest film from the Microcosmos team. Amazing up close images of migrating birds, expertly shot. Beautiful landscapes scenes also.  Winged Migration is recommended for fans of Microcosmos. Now re-released at a cheaper price.

New films Dogora (2004) is a brand new film featuring the people of Cambodia, and their daily lives. The images are stunning and the subject fascinating. Dogora is recommended for fans of Baraka, Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi. News 22-Jul-2008 Samsara information on in70mm.com 16-Jul-2008 Baraka Blu-ray HD release (28-Oct-2008) 07-Jul-2008 Highway World Screenings 19-Jun-2008 What energy do you worship? 04-Apr-2008 Samsara preview photograph 13-Nov-2007 Highway World - a film by Martin Hans Schmitt 21-Jun-2007 New independant short film page 21-Jun-2007 Samsara official press releases 24-May-2007 Samsara information 02-Apr-2007 Chronos released on HD DVD Showings 12-Aug-2008 Highway World - Globians Film Festival, Potsdam (Altes Rathaus), Germany 22-Aug-2008 Baraka - Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX, USA 23-Aug-2008 Baraka - Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX, USA 24-Aug-2008 Baraka - Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX, USA 03-Sep-2008 Highway World - Globians Film Festival, Berlin, Germany

Other nonverbal films

Chronos (1985) beautiful positive images of the world breathtakingly filmed. Incredible time-lapse scenes. Filmed, Edited and Directed by Ron Fricke. Produced by Mark Magidson, Music by Michael Stearns.	Powaqqatsi (1988) the second of Godfrey Reggio's Qatsi films. Capturing the cultures and lives of the people of the sothern hemispehere.  Directed by Godfrey Reggio, music by Philip Glass.
Microcosmos (1996) a 'Macrovision' view of a meadow on a summers day. Astonishing filming of nature on custom made cameras leaves you breathless.  Directed and filmed by Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou.	Naqoyqatsi (2002), the third and final part of Godfrey Reggio's Qatsi Trilogy. Concentrating on the most significant events of the past 5000 years. Directed by Godfrey Reggio, music by Philip Glass.
Winged Migration (2003) the Microcosmos team a take use on a journey with migrating birds.  Also known as Le Peuple Migrateur. Directed by Jacques Perrin.	Anima Mundi (1992) created by Godfrey Reggio to celebrate the Biological Diversity Campaign of the World Wildlife Fund. Incredible images of natures animals set to a score by Philip Glass make a great film of natures animals.

News Archive

Below is an archive of old news items

Samsara information on in70mm.com- 22-Jul-2008 Some information about Samsara on the in70mm.com website.

Baraka Blu-ray HD release (28-Oct-2008)- 16-Jul-2008 Baraka is expected to be released on Blu-ray on 28-Oct-2008. You can pre-order the Blu-Ray with a link at the top of the Baraka page "FULLY RESTORED - THE FIRST MOVIE EVER TRANSFERRED IN 8K ULTRADIGITAL HD!" Special Features: Includes over 80 minutes of all new bonus features: Baraka: A Closer Look Baraka: Restoration It's expected to sell for US$34.98. Great news as Baraka is truly a film that will benefit from a high quality transfer, as it was shot in 70mm. Currently Baraka DVDs are difficult to get hold of, and I assume it is because production and release has stopped whilst the Blu-Ray HD version was published. I expect a new DVD version will also be available. I might have to buy a new TV and DVD player soon :) I'll let you know more when I get more information.

Highway World Screenings- 07-Jul-2008 Highway World, by Martin Hans Schmitt, is being showing at the Globians Film Festival, Potsdam, Germany on 12th August 2008, and the Globians Film Festival, Berlin, Germany on 3rd September 2008. Images from Highway World Globians web site

What energy do you worship?- 19-Jun-2008 What energy do you worship? is a thought provoking short film, comparing various types of religious worship, to the worship of nature and the energy of its oceans from the perspective of surfers. It's a good short film.

Samsara preview photograph- 04-Apr-2008 Mark Magidson has kindly sent a photograph from Sossosvlai, Namibia, where he is currently filming Samsara. He expects to be in Africa for 6 weeks. I hope to have more photographs from Mark soon Photograph © Copyright 2008 Mark Magidson.

Highway World - a film by Martin Hans Schmitt- 13-Nov-2007 Martin has sent me a copy of his film Highway World. It is a great film which fits nicely into the genre of this website. I am about to leave England to spend the winter traveling in India and Southeast Asia, and unfortunately to do not have time to add a page for the film. Check out Martin's website though, and I will add more details upon my return in June.

New independant short film page- 21-Jun-2007 I have added a new page to highlight the short films and trailers of independant filmmakers. Kyle Hopkin's '360' is the first film listed. Read more

Samsara official press releases- 21-Jun-2007 Mark Magidson has kindly provided press releases for Samsara.

Samsara information- 24-May-2007 "Samsara," directed and shot by Ron Fricke, has begun lensing and will span 12 to 14 months and more than 20 countries. From producer Mark Magidson: "One of the challenges of this is to try to get stunning and unfamiliar imagery. We also need to have a lot of density of imagery to build the sequences for a film that relies on non-verbal storytelling and can sustain interest for the length of a feature." Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance and "Gladiator" fame will be involved in the "Samsara" score. Improvements in home- theater systems over the years have helped keep homevid demand strong, and "Baraka" has shipped more than half a million DVDs to date. An upgraded edition, in both regular and high-definition, is on the way from MPI Home Video by year's end. Budget for the sequel is likely to exceed the original's $3 million, with world distribution rights expected to remain up for grabs until shooting wraps.

Chronos released on HD DVD- 02-Apr-2007 Chronos has been released on HD DVD. This revised version has extra features including: Filmmakers' Commentary Behind The Scenes Behind The Landscapes Optional Subtitles Director's Shot List Audio Remix optimized for Home Theater

The Shawshank Redemption- 24-Nov-2005 The Shawshank Redemption has a new movie web site

Note :

The Spirit of Baraka web site was created to inform people of the existence and availability of these incredible film and to highlight the amazing work of everyone involved. I understand and respect the need for copyright with all the images and sources of information displayed on this web site. If anyone should object to the use of any materials on this site please contact me and I shall remove/adjust the content, thanks.