SPARK Movie

[Wildfire)'(]

Just saw the Burning Man documentary "SPARK" last night and was wondering if anyone else has seen it yet? This will be our first year going to BM and the movie is kind of giving us last minute thoughts about whether to go. The reason is were getting the impression that Burning Man is just a big party for people to get wasted at and for girls to run around topless. Nothing wrong with a rave in the desert but we were hoping for a bit more. We have very good friends who have gone before (and continue to go) and who seem to get much more from it than just that aspect. But the footage from 1996 (which was a learning lesson for BM organizers) and some of the recent party footage from the 2012 burn made us question the event. Especially the footage of the "plug and play" camps and people just arriving to party in their furry bikinis...yikes. My gut is telling me that BM is something you just have to experience for yourself and that it is somewhat what you make it so I don't think we'll cancel (we leave tomorrow) but just curious what some others thought of the film and what your experience has been over the years.

[MacGlenver]

*this response intentionally left blank*

[stopgo]

I can give you my perspective. I have been to BM the past 4 years but am not going this year. I watched SPARK last night and I thought the parts with the artists were cool and it was interesting to see the back office workings of the 'Org, but I did feel it came off a little "ravie" and I did get the feeling that it is just one giant party in the desert. And it didn't necessarily make me wish I was going this year.

Is that all that Burning Man is? No. Is it a big part? Yes and No. There is plenty of naked parting and big raves at Burning Man but there is also plenty of yoga, healing, workshops, spirituality, art, creativity, snow cones and everything else you can imagine. It really is what you make of it. And there is definitely nothing like it in the world. I recommend checking it out for your self and try not to have too many preconceived notions about what you are about experience.

[Aurelia]

Good grief !
just go and then you answer
Burning Man is whatever you make of it .
18 non-consecutive years and I still feel it is different each time
and I am different each time
Because it does require a lot of self I wish I could stop
soon

[bradtem]

There are people who go to the playa because of the music, party and dance camps.

There are people who go in spite of them.

[Elliot]

...

There are people who go in spite of them.

*raises hand*

[shroom]

I enjoyed the film just as I enjoyed Journey to the Flames. Two different films, two different perspectives. Go and see what you think yourself.

[Leo]

You say topless girls like there is something wrong with that.

[Wildfire)'(]

So we pressed on to Burning Man after all and as suspected it really is just something you need to experience for yourself. I'm so happy we did not cancel because of that movie. What an amazing experiment in community...very happy to have gone and look forward to many future adventures on the playa - furry bikinis, ravers and all

[Aurelia]

"experiment in community "?

Fuck, it's a PORTAL