The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride is a love story and one of the greatest paradies of all time. Post a unique and favorite quote from this film and explain why it is signifigant to the story.

DUE: Friday, 2/6

BARAKA (Ron Fricke) is a work of art which rates amongst the greatest achievements in the field. Baraka is an ancient Sufi word, which can be translated as "a blessing, or as the breath, or essence of life from which the evolutionary process unfolds." For many people Baraka is the definitive film in this style. As with any masterwork, it is something one will have to pursue. For those that seek it out at the proper time, 'Baraka' can act as a milestone of revelation. What the viewer takes from this film will solely be determined by the life experience they bring to it. 'Baraka' is unique in that it actually requires a commitment of time and concentration. This is a film that communicates its message without utilizing standard film language. Those that try to make the images conform to the conventional notions of Hollywood story telling are likely to give up in frustration. For a film with no plot,characters or dialog, it communicates an astonishing number of profound themes. Those who are familiar with National Geographic or the works of David Attenbourough will have little trouble in identifying the fascinating locals and tribes, but be forewarned: there are reasons that there are no subtitles or text on screen. Personal discovery is at the heart of the filmmaker's intentions. The ambient soundtrack by Michael Sterns weaves the images together on a separate plain, producing a hypnotic pathway for the images to flow. Once you allow yourself to be pulled along by this current of sound the images will link themselves together and the true revelations hidden within 'Baraka' will make themselves apparent. You may find as I did that your subconscious will be at work on 'Baraka' for many weeks after the experience, unlocking doors to a greater understanding.

Journal Assignment:
BARAKA (Ron Fricke) is a work of art which rates amongst the greatest achievements in the field. Baraka is an ancient Sufi word, which can be translated as "a blessing, or as the breath, or essence of life from which the evolutionary process unfolds." Being a film with no plot, characters or dialog, it communicates an astonishing number of profound themes. It takes us around the world in the hope of revealing certain truths about our past and present and gives us a vision for the future.

Explore two or three themes that you have identified and explain them using specific detail from the film. After watching the film, what images stick in your mind? What meaning can you create from the film based on the association of these images? What does the film teach us about the fate of humanity?