Baraka—an ancient Sufi word that translates as "a blessing or essence of life"—is a transcendently poetic tour of the globe shot on six continents and in 24 countries, including such locales as Brazil, Nepal, Kuwait, India and Iran. Featuring breathtaking scenes from around the world, the film contains no actors, has no script and is combined with a remarkable soundtrack that, with the images, depicts the unfolding of the evolutionary process. Director Ron Fricke describes the work as "a journey of rediscovery that plunges into nature, history, the human spirit, and finally into the realm of the infinite." Fricke, along with producer Mark Magidson and their three-person crew, created the film in 14 months with a reported $4 million budget. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3679; www.bowers.org. Wed., 1:30 p.m. Free with paid admission to the museum ($12-$17).
also showing:
Casablanca.Frequently rated one of the best American films ever made, Casablanca is one of those films that cineastes need to see. Spawning so many pop-culture references ("Here's looking at you, kid") and becoming the iconic Humphrey Bogart picture, Casablanca tells the story of an American expatriate's reunion with an old flame in World War II-era Northern Africa. The film will be preceded by a themed dinner at Tangata Restaurant (provided at additional cost). Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 567-3679; www.bowers.org. Thurs., Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. $8-$10. For reservations to the prefilm dinner, call Tangata Restaurant at (714) 550-0906.
Charlie Chaplin Selections.The Little Tramp will be projected under the stars outside the Museum of Latin American Art. Presented in conjunction with the Historical Society of Long Beach, this event features live piano music accompanying the films. Period dress is encouraged. Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, (562) 437-1689; www.molaa.org. Fri., 8 p.m. $10-$15.
Reservoir Dogs. The film that unleashed Quentin Tarantino on the American public, Reservoir Dogs remains one of his best, due mainly to the relative understatement of his direction. By now, pretty much everyone knows the man's name, but at the time, the film's pastiche of French new wave, Martin Scorsese, Asian crime films and throwaway culture references seemed novel. Posters for the film continue to be wall decoration de rigeur for film majors, frat houses and stoner pads alike, and the ripple effect is still being felt by cinema, for better or worse. Edwards University Theater, 4245 Campus Dr., Irvine, (949) 854-8818. Tues., 9 p.m. $6.
Rocky Horror Picture Show.Some do Pilates, some do "The Time Warp." It's okay, boys, put on some makeup and look fabulous—a lot of girls are into ambiguous sexuality. Well, at least they were in Santa Cruz. Royal Theater aboard theQueen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, (562) 684-4411; www.qmxroyal.com. Sat., midnight. $8.
Mail your press releases (and a videotape or disc, if available) to Special Screenings,OC Weekly, 1666 N. Main St., Ste. 500, Santa Ana, CA 92701-7417. Or send e-mail to tchild@ocweekly.com. All materials must be received at least two weeks before the screening.
