Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 08:30:39 -0500 
            From: Andrew Massey (andie@AMASS.DEMON.CO.UK) 
            Subject: Re. Baraka and DCD


      I've got a copy of the video which is widescreen format (letterbox, not pan
      and scan). I didn't find it difficult to get hold of over here in L'il ol'
      England - in fact I wasn't even looking for it and just happened to see
      multiple copies sitting in an HMV or Virgin Megastore in that massive
      shopping centre (sorry, mall) in Sheffield. It'll be the wrong format (as
      in PAL, NTSC or whatever) for most other countries I would assume. Can
      anyone shed light on these formats and their different countries' use of
      them? I ordered LIAE from 4AD mail order and got NTSC which doesn't seem to
      agree with either of my VCRs...

      >although there are only two DCD tracks in it, they fit the imagery
      >like a glove, and the rest of the score is fantastic as well.

      There is only one DCD track in the film's score isn't there? (I can't be
      bothered to run through it again.) My video does have a "bonus" music video
      of Yulunga which is basically like a trailer for the film in that it's just
      a load of clips from the film put together.

      Does anyone else have that funny little promo CD of Dead Can Dance's (cat
      no DCD1) with the monkey from Baraka on the cover? It has The Host of
      Seraphim and Yulunga (Spirit Dance) on it (the former is the track used in
      the film). I thought it was an odd promo when I found it - I'd never heard
      of it before, and haven't since (it is on 4AD).

      I found the film exceptionally inspiring visually. When I first watched it
      it provoked a miriad of ideas for my own work (I'm a photographer), which I
      was in two minds as to whether to write down whilst I was watching. I
      didn't because I wanted to concentrate on the film and thought that the
      same ideas would be jolted when I watched it a second time. They weren't.
      Bummer.

      I would really recommend that if anyone has a chance to see the film in a
      cinema (theatre?) that they should go and do it. It's much better that way
      - the quality is amazing since it was shot on 70mm film.

      BTW, don't be dissapointed with the first 20 minutes or so of the film. I
      was getting a bit bored, waiting for the DCD track to come on, but then it
      really gets going and is literally awesome.

      Andie

      Ps. I fucking love Wonderwall and all the rest of (What's the Story)
      Morning Glory. I especially love Wonderwall for the cello. And I love the
      way they sing like they "couldn't give a shit" as someone said to me. It's
      so Northern England it's funny and in a perverse,contrary inverted manner
      is quite beautiful. I love people who can make the ugly beautiful - Joel
      Peter Witkin, Vaughan Oliver, Simon Larbalestier, Jenny Saville etc. It's
      so much more creative and skillful.

Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 02:27:56 -0600 
     From: Sung Shim (foss@WWA.COM) 
     Subject: Re: Baraka


At 09:18 PM 3/7/96 -0500, you wrote:
>Besides having a soundtrack generally comprised of a bunch of DCD tracks,...
>what is this film about???
>general story??

     actually there are only two DCD tracks weaved in, the rest of the music
is mostly originally composed.

     the film doesn't have a plot, it's basically just a series of
wonderfully shot scenes of the world and it's culture.  i was watching it
with a friend of mine tonight and he mentioned that he felt it was pretty
much a copy of a movie that was made around 10 years ago (the title of which
i can't remember at the moment) but i do remember him saying that the
soundtrack was by Phillip Glass.  He also mentioned that he enjoyed it more
than 'Baraka'.  i'm eager to find it (once i ask him the title again) as i
found Baraka to be as a whole quite enjoyable.  the final scene with the
tree under the stars is so awesome.


         Date: Fri, 8 Mar 1996 10:39:35 -0500 
         From: daniel klyn (owilde@UMICH.EDU) 
         Subject: Re: Baraka


     basically, if you've seen mark madgison (sp?)'s other films
     (koyanasqatsi, powwowasquatsi), baraka is in the same vein, although
     imho, baraka is the best, in terms of images, soundtrack, overall effect.
     montage of images and music. vaguely narrative. this one's roughly about
     the commonality of the religious experiences of various native peoples,
     and about their connection with nature vs. the corrosion of the western,
     civilized way of life.  a better explaination is on the sleeve of the
     video, which you can read at your local video store.

     dan