A sort of street-corner doomsday tirade, though strictly nonverbal, and very much in the mode of Koyaanisqatsi. (The title, according to the press notes, is a Sufi word meaning "blessing" or "breath" or "essence of life.") Half an hour or so of big-wide-wonderful-world footage is followed by over half an hour of shrinking-cramped-awful-world footage, followed in turn by a few final minutes of spiritual contemplation. There is no printed text, no narration, and no telling where you are or what's what (unless you happen already to know). It sometimes piques interest, seldom satisfies it. Photographed (in 70mm) and directed by Ron Fricke. (1993) — Duncan Shepherd
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