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About AquaBurn AquaBurn VideoClips Film Festivals AquaBurn Reviews Director's Bio Burning Man Photos Bills Burning Man Photos Order Now ! Are You Lost ? AquaBurn BurningKarma AstroBlaze Breithaup't Bio MovieTrailers Burning Links Order
"AquaBurn" 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, "Aqua Burn" 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 35,000 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 overwhelming sandstorms. 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.
On 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.
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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 and tagged. 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 (the Burning Man Organization) to use any images commercially.
This is one reason why "Aqua Burn" is so unique and special. Not only is it a Burning Man sanctioned film, 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. It premiered in New York and London, winning The Coney Island Short Film Festival 2003's Best Documentary Award and the Action/Cut Short Film Festival 2004 Documentary Special Jury Award.
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Aqua Burn, the film that started it all, captures the energy and spirit of Burning Man 2002's “Floating World Theme”. Edited in 180 hours in the month following Burning Man, the first cut debuted at the Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival to a crowd of 300 people. Their reaction was a standing ovation. An additional 620 hours of editing time was put in and then it was ready to travel. It premiered in New York and London, winning The Coney Island Short Film Festival 2003's Best Documentary Award and the Action/Cut Short Film Festival 2004 Documentary Special Jury Award.
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"I was lucky enought to see your film Aqua Burn at the film festival and I loved it.
I had my whole family there (my wife, twin 7 year old boys who are 5 year Burning Man attendees and my 2 year old daughter who is a 2 year Burning Man attendee) and we all loved it. My 2 year old went NUTS for the film and still talks about it.
She was SO excited to see it because she really remembered the images that she saw - she kept saying "I saw that," "I remember that," and "there is Burning Man."
She was so THRILLED to see those images that I can not describe the excitement and joy that your film brought to her and our family. Thanks so much!" Hans
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I have seen every Burning Man movie and internet video there is, some serve different purposes, some are good to show people who have never been, others are good to show your mom. Yours however, is the most inducing - incredible - flashback footage ever ! Take it from a seasoned Burner, your film delivers a taste of the true Burning Man vibe. It's because of your Rockin editing that I put your film at # 1 !
Thanks again - Craig
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I watched AquaBurn this weekend and loved it! I
didn't get too far into it before I started to
cry. I can't remember now what exactly triggered
it but wow.. such good footage. I like that it's
mostly visual with snippet of talk because that's
what it really comes down to. The mental images
left in your mind. I want to tell/show people your video.
Can't wait to see your new one.
Heather
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"Great job with the film!!! I really loved it; it was different from the other 'documentary' type films (which after back to back viewings started to seem the same). What you are able to accomplish in 4 weeks blows away the stuff that takes people a year or more."
Aqua Burn Kicks Ass ! - Shane R. Burning Man Skydiver
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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 !!!
In dust we trust - The Judge
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I LOED your video. It was the most comprehensive visual collection I have ever seen of the event. I've been a staff member with Burning Man 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. - Greg
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