The film Baraka begins with a tranquil scene of Japanese snow monkeys relaxing in a hot spring “onsen”. The monkey's relaxed state betrays the reality of the cold and unforgiving environment in which he lives. The director, from the beginning of the film, tries to show the dual existence of peace and struggle. Throughout the film there seems to be a friendship between nature and the different life forms that populate it, no matter how harsh the conditions. This applies to everything except humans. By capturing the various moments of people's lives, their traditions, conditions, religious practices, daily rituals and their successes as well as failures, the director successfully portrays the enormous diversity of human beings that most of us are unaware of. The vast and fascinating landscapes shown throughout the film are a reminder of how serene and simple yet majestic and overwhelming nature can be. While most animals adapt and live in harmony with their surroundings, humans drastically alter the environment to suit their needs. The director, during the second part o...