The other day I was browsing my favorite local second-hand DVD store and happened upon a Blu-Ray copy of Baraka.

This was significant for two reasons.

First, I hadn’t realized that the film was releasing on Blu-Ray.  If you’re unfamiliar with Baraka, is it a film directed and photographed by Ron Fricke.  Ron was also the cinematographer of Koyannisquatsi, and the other two films in the “Squatsi Trilogy.”  All of these films are sort of visual tone poems.  They employ no dialog, and no conventional plot.  Instead it is a series of images put to music tackling a theme.  Baraka is very spiritual in nature, focusing on different religions of the world and other spiritual things that link us all together and sometimes threaten to tear us apart. 

I’ll be the first to admit that this type of filmmaking is not for everyone, but watching Baraka with an open mind will inevitably lead to an emotional connection to the film.  It is brilliantly put together allowing very intimate glimpses into cultures and events not seen by many.  Honestly I could wax eloquent on Baraka all day long, but I won’t.  I just wanted to give a primer to anyone who is unfamiliar with the film.

The second significant reason for happening upon this Blu-Ray disc is how the disc was produced.  Baraka was originally shot on 70mm film, giving it a clarity of picture that is not often seen outside of an IMAX theater.  To produce this Blu-Ray they took the original 70mm print, scanned it at 8K resolution (most films are scanned at 2K resolution, very very few are scanned at 4K resolution), and use the 8K master file to produce the 1080p Blu-Ray disc.  For the technically minded reader out there, you’re probably drooling right now.  For everyone else, let me explain it this way:  When I put that disc in the player and started watching the movie, it is hands down the best looking picture I have ever seen.  When I could finally pull my eyes away from the screen I kept asking myself why my living room was out of focus.  The picture is that sharp.  Reality looks blurry by comparison.

So, for anyone who is a fan of Baraka, the Blu-Ray transfer cannot possibly disappoint.  Couple the amazing picture with a near two-hour documentary on the making of Baraka, and you have a disc worth any asking price.  For anyone not familiar with the film, I highly recommend it.  It’s a rewarding experience.

Christopher Johnson, Director, Easy Water Films, L.L.C