"Aqua Burn" is a documentary film by director Bill Breithaupt showcasing the "Floating World" theme of the 2002 Burning Man Festival. As would be expected from a film featuring such extraordinary subject matter, "AquaBurn" is an extraordinary Burning Man festival documentary. It captures the energy, spirituality and passion of the annual Burning Man event. It details many of the incredible art installations, the imagination and originality that went into their creation, and the artists who conceived them.
To better estimate the impact and potential of the film without having seen it, it's essential to know a few facts about the Burning Man Festival itself. Even if you have seen the film this information can be interesting and helpful.
Each year over 50,000 people travel to Black Rock City in the Nevada desert to participate in an experience that is wholely unlike any found in modern society. For one week in late August they become part of an experimental community, which challenges its members to express themselves and rely on themselves to a degree that is not normally encountered in day-to-day life. They are to provide their own food, water and shelter, enduring sweltering temperatures often above 110 degrees and overwhelmingsandstorms.
In the face of such a formidable environment the society flourishes. There is no commerce, Burning Man is built upon a gift economy mentality. No commercialism, no vending, no money at Burning Man . Gifting is part of the experience. And an experience it is. All around the playa large art installations challenge the elements, rising above the horizon. Theme camps are abundant, each offering their creativity to passers-by in the form of body painting to grilled cheese sandwiches.
Saturday night the man is burned. All the members of this unusual city convene in the center, watching as the 40 foot structure is ignited. As the flames burn higher and the Man falls, each takes away his own memories and experiences. What does burning the Man represent? You'll find as many different answers as you'll find people at the event.
One would be wary of truly being oneself, even in such an uninhibited environment, if the threat of explotation of one's art for any commercial purposes was present. It is for this reason that film and video cameras are forbidden without permission at Burning Man.
All video cameras must be registered andtagged. If you are considering filming for professional purposes, you must have a commercial agreement on file with the media team prior to your arrival onsite. Even with an agreement on file, you still must have permission from Burning Man (theBurningMan Organization) to use any images commercially.
This is one reason why "Aqua Burn" is so unique and special. Not only is it a Burning Mansanctionedfilm, it is also highly entertaining, stunnigly beautiful and shockingly hip. It has become the most popular Burning Man film with festival attendees, as well as general public. Bill Breithaupt is a veteran Burning Man participant, and thus is able to portray the true spirit of the event through film, a media he has been working with for twenty years.
"AQUABURN was the Best Burn Film !"
- Andy Wilson(Director of PLAYING GOD, starring Angelina Jolie and David Duchovny)
"Thanks to the shortcomings of email, you may not be able to see this but know that I am standing in front of my computer applauding my ass off for your video. You REALLY captured the essence of the event. The Gregorian chant music mated
perfectly with the images. Since the event is more spiritual to me than anything else, this really hit home with me. Bravo Bravo BRAVO !!! "
- The Judgee
" I LOVED your video. It was the most comprehensive visual collection I have ever seen of the event. I've been a staff member with Emergency Services Department of the event for 6 years now and explaining what the event is like to family members and friends who haven't been is just difficult as all hell. For probably the first time ever, somebody has done what I thought impossible through a camera. The work you did is unparalleled and it made me miss the playa in so many ways.' I'd love to have a list of music credits , It went so well with the images and stirred my soul.
You're a video-god. Don't let anybody tell you different."
