Burning Man Documentary 1986 2010 DUST & ILLUSIONS

[anatomyofluke]

So 3 grand isn't worth the best vacation of your life? I don't understand why everyone is saying that burning man isn't awesome because of it's size today. I feel like the more people the better, right?

[cloudberry121]

You don't need these guys. You can be pompous, artsy fartsy, and build your own super high bondfire. And if the guys are lucky, women under the age of 40 will bare their breasts instead of just the menopausal crowd.

[croissantanyone]

Yes, liberals should not have weapons.  Good call.

[croissantanyone]

These people will make great slaves when society collapses.

[alexislaurentart]

I've seen this film, and it's a MUST. You will learn the whole history of the event from its origins. It looks at the hard decision that had to be made along the way, some important moments that shape what it is today, and that are simply omitting from the "official" story. And it is not a "I love BM, buy a ticket now" kind of film. Instead it looks in a very balanced at the good and bad sides of that event. Check it out really.

[obonin]

The film explores the whole history of Burning Man (BM). Whether you are interested in the subject or not, the film goes beyond the simple event in the desert, and looks at how ideals/utopias we've had in our youth evolve through an entire lifetime. Specifically, it starts in the late 70s with 2 groups of people out of the San Francisco underground movements all the way to the multi-million dollar business BM has become, and how politics might have replaced philosophies.

[ubertuber66]

@obonin It's a party, it's a happening, it's novelty, it's art, it's community, it's self-reliance, all that. You learn a lot about yourself -- surviving a week is not a trivial feat. Make the trip, then come back saying it's "Roman decadence."

[amdinga]

I don't think Burning Man changes the world. It just lets people live in a radically different society/environment for a week. For one, I think that escaping the material obsession of mainstream society is a healthy and refreshing breath of air. Interpersonal connections, the creativity of the human mind, and 'radical self-reliance' are under-emphasized in our modern world. BM is a good reminder of that.

[mackpappy]

The movement beyond the event? Yeah, right. Google employees on ecstasy, wearing costumes, does not a movement make. 99% of the people who attend BM are spending their lives supporting the mainstream capitalist system. It's a fantasy folks!

[watcher1727]

The noble beginings and intentions are gone. It's now an "expensive amusement park" attended by rich spoiled kids and people who don't need to work. Elaborate artwork production provided by "artists with money". Original organizers have corporatized it and it pays for their retirement. Hype will keep it alive and the money flowing. What happenned to a simple solstice celebration for humanity/fellowship?

[JadyLester]

Burning Man is well out of danger of plummeting into a hippie orgy. It has already turned into the Man.

[scotters1964]

very cool

[zqewkl]

@obonin

"There's something interesting in the way that the ORG of that event, is letting anyone creativity come out."

True.

But sadly, as usual, it ends more like a mass fashion/ego trip, than some kind of spiritual evolution.

A massive spiritual evolution is really what is necessary for a real change in this world.

And to me, that kind of evolution, can't be the result of massive "all together arto-loloDrug bullshit party".

[zqewkl]

@obonin

Those people changing the world?

Marf.

I admit the idea never crossed my mind.

Their action will just end in a stupid hippie style drug orgy.

You can't make gold out of bullshit.

You need at least some lead.

Just my opinion.

[zqewkl]

While the rest of the planet is dying in shit, a Bunch of neoLiberalsBoBo is burning crap for fun.

That's fucking awesome maaaaaan.

[LightWorkerBass]

@zqewkl Your right but, you might as well start somewhere.

[daudimrefu52]

Special screening tonight at Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, 7:30 pm. Yours truly leading Q&A with director Olivier Bonin.

[daudimrefu52]

Special screening tonight at Rio Theater in Santa Cruz, 7:30 pm. Yours truly leading Q&A with director Olivier Bonin.

[virtuous8]

waste of time, money, resources.

[elquemando]

My first Burn was '95, when we could do things since forbidden (drive-by shooting gallery, hot springs...), and everyone was more or less 'vetted', since BM was not public knowledge and it was still a word-of-mouth driven event.

Was 95 better? Yes - and not just because I was a younger man. You can't have the same freedom in a community which has become twelve times larger, and significantly expanded the ability to remain anonymous and unconnected. What a great way BM is to give them a huge hug!

[Lojikbom]

It's kind of funny (and sad) that we have to travel to an inhospitable terrain just to be free, but hey ... that's history. Freaks from Europe moved to the New World, Mormons moved to Utah, what can I say ... freedom finds a way.

[fenotipobombay]

is this an esclusive party for hippies??

where i can find a ticket? how much is it? asta la vista

[gabberspank]

more than just hippies....

[jebrilus]

"I Hate Hippiieeeessss!" hahaha

yeah it's more than that, freedom searchers

[Jingles524]

way more

[JaLar2000]

DANCETRONAUTS RoCKed it this Year And Here is The FKN PROOF!!!

dancetronauts com

[cerri88]

this just a piss-take of wicker man i take it, well gd on yous :P keep the spirit going

[drtune]

What she says at 5:10 is totally it for me; I've been going for the last 9 years and every year I get more into building things... You can only go to the same party so many times but you can make infinite art.

I love it - every year a new experience.

[xxpluckyxx]

And that's the evolution of the Burn experience for the burner. You may go a couple times for a great party, but you STAY for the community and the art.

As someone whose only been to BM once, and 2 regionals, I can already understand. And that's why they say, every burn is different, and every burn is different for everyone.

[ravenizer]

OMG check out the topless chick at 1.40 !!

[mocahaj]

Excited about 1 topless chick?? i guess you never went to a Dead Show

[blehcommunism]

I totally listened to the idiots who said, "oh, yeah, Burning Man is way too big now--don't bother to go..." lame, lame, lame! I waited too many years to go--it was incredible and life-changing.....I only wish "default life" could be as fun and harmonious.....

[wanderingstarmaid]

Did I miss something? BM doesn't have a Starbucks, there is usually a camp with a large 'star_ucks' w/ an "F" vs a "B". with a very similar logo. I think that's what you guys are seeing.

When you create something, especially something living & organic like BRC, you can't always control the flow. It may not be what it was, but it is STILL something life-changing to most of us that make that trek to the desert every yr to renew ourselves.

[DirtyNachoDipper]

Burning man is what happens to festivals after a point.. I wouldn't even call it a festival anymore, starbucks at a festival, get real man! Burning man is on its way out. Look at it!

[Hipster420]

Dude you got it a little wrong. The theme camp was called Starfucks not Starbucks. No way in hell would Larry and the Burning Family allow ANY "company" to infiltrate our "home"...other than the porta potty company.. lol

[GadgetGi]

@bulletstopper636 I've gone to comic con and two burns, these are extremely different. :)

It's a visual explosion. Imagine the loudest music, brightest lights and most insane moving artwork you've ever seen, all for a week. You have to live in harsh heat, and extremely dry conditions - packing in and out everything that you need to live and subside on.

It's like no other vacation.

[Hipster420]

I've been going since 98..this was my 8th time and I think this was the best year yet! (for me). I had a chance to talk to Larry and Maid Marian after a Burn one year while hiking above Emerald Bay (Lake Tahoe). For a guy that puts on the biggest and best party on the planet he was very down to earth. There's NOTHING like a good Burn! Thanks again Larry!

[nox1sxmessenger]

my first burn and I had a blaaaaaast. The people were amazing and the temple & man blew me away. definitely going again! See ya next yr!

[DaveNorwoods]

thanks for the inside information here. I just experienced this event now 2009 and i put it off for 9 years and i am happy to have done it finaly with 40 people. burn baby I did. cheers

travelindave

[marinparker]

This event could not be less communist unless they installed a starbucks. Oh wait, they did that already!

[MRTINKLES1000]

HUH?

[JonnyKeenul]

I can't wait to go next year.

[astralwalk]

Hahah lol. All this communist talk is hilarious. Understand that you have been brainwashed into thinking that anything that dosen't conform to the strict government line is bad and evil. This is a festival of human expression of peace and love. Time to evolve my friend. turn off the TV

[bulletstopper636]

Its like a comic book convention/rave for gay people...........stupid.

[rorschachh]

it's the biggest festival of gayness ever. nice life losers!

[newguyjusthere]

So basically, this is a communist festival?

[philodrummond]

Yeah, basically

[bulletstopper636]

Communists hate gay people. Its a homo fest.

[thesilvernymph]

I was there last summer. Sorry i had to miss it this year, though.

[mythnow]

i wish they would change the name to.. umm "international education art symposium" Boss: Y arrr u taking tiem off?

Me: I'm going to the IEAS for a cultural exchange

[mythnow]

i'm going this year!! gotta get it before it gooooesss!

[heartagram021]

don't be so negative! But man am I jealous of you right now! ;)

[freakaleak114]

OOoo! I PRAY it doesn't go downhill for ATLEAST another 5yrs (or at all!) so I'll be old enough to go a few times & enjoy myself!!

[uvcrwjjfdsjew]

You're old enough now, if you can convince your parents to either take you or sign you over to the care of an adult. If you want help making the argument, google "How Taking My Kids to Burning Man Is About Passing On Family Values"

[drutter]

saw this in Vancouver the other night, really good. was hoping to see a little more music, dance, and nighttime lighting I guess... but the focus on the politics was amazingly interesting too. Thanks!

[surrealnaz]

im in heaven , seriously , this is all my dreams come true

[STLegend420]

when is this held?

[BatWingedKitty]

This video kind of casts a shadow on burningman ... it seems a little too negative for me =/ Not that they don't have good points, but just that it could be more evenly balanced between pros and cons.

[staphinfection]

Stupid SF.... Yeah, you can't burn a man made out of wood, but yet you look on the beach at night and people are burning tires(gross), and all kinds of plastic or whatever else they can find.... Not to mention all the trash and garbage all over the beach.

Oh well, glad Black Rock is the new home as it's much more open to amazing art forms and much bigger events!

It keeps getting better each year it seems.

[flamingoboner]

Let's just hope BM doesn't turn into another Woodstock.

Changing generations have a good habit of totally massacring events held sacred by their predecessors.

[dinoblogsgmail]

The festival of Dussera in India involves a ritual where a giagantic effigy of "ravana" (a mythological character) is burned. i think Burning Man festival derives its concept from there.

[shadygrove]

looks great! this video seems very well-balanced and gives voice to many different perspectives. i've been going to the playa since '98 and have seen it lose a lot in ten years, but it has also gained many beautiful qualities. i miss the danger, the randomness, the adrenaline, but i enjoy the fact that it has become such a beautiful place for massive art. lotus girls' serpent mother, homoborous and others just stun me every time. i love the burns and the people i meet there. even when it hurts.

[thesimulacre]

"and when they see it on television they'll believe it's real"

effin priceless...

[aedanthecelt]

I was a first year Burner this year, but I must say, the people you meet there don't seem anything like mainstream to me. They seemed like me. If you don't agree with the essential philosophy of the festival, radical self-reliance and radical self-expression, why the hell should you spend eight(8) days in that paradigm? You can get acid on any college campus in America. I think the "mainstream" is too nullified to stop YouTubing for a week to go scorch haha. I look forward to seeing it, though.

[pwgroh]

Yo, this cost you like 200 dollars to go to right? Just want to know cuz I was thinking about going.

[BatWingedKitty]

yes, depending on when you buy the ticket.

[groovepuppy]

I don't consider 50,000 people attending an event, "mainstream".

[GAMMA303]

Fantastic! I can't wait to see the whole movie! I believe there is hope and that burning man as an event helps bring good people together. I too am looking at doing some big art projects after going for 6 years. This video definitely resonates with me.

[tallneil]

Im looking forward to seeing a full version. Thx

[photoman4you]

Very well done video!

[furgurl]

interesting,, but typical,, 1969,, again,,not my style,, I like luxury and an not needy..these people in my opinion are looking for something to justify their existence ,, and larry Havey smokes to much and needs dental work.. someone should tell him,,,

[charliex9er]

Awesome video. I've gotta go back again someday...

[bobhosta]

Changed my life and I've witnessed it change the lives of people who I thought were totally incapable of change...I'm leaving in 24 hours and I can't seem to wrap my brain around anything else....I'm a dedicated gardener and I haven't watered my plants in 3 days...if you knew me, you would think I had had a mental breakdown...it's really THAT important to me...I'm like a kid sitting by the fireplace waiting for Claus...every once in a while looking up the chimney....the vid was a nice look

[RhythmAnarchy]

I found B-man this year. My participation has been unlimited to joining the regional group, reading stories and look'n at photos on the B-Man web page. Although, I will not be joining the other fatful at B-Man Mecca this year, I have been profoundly changed after learning of the B-Man.

Build a man a fire to keep him warm for the night. Set a man on fire and he will never be cold again.

Will there be any comments about the Ten Principles, or will this only focus on self destruction.

[party489]

thanks for the vid, to big may be a problem but if a few thousand newbes or even a few get to look at life differnt and enjoy it bc of BM than its worth it. After iraq I didnt leave my house for over a year and life lost all meaning until the most random road trip led me to the BM community,it reminded me of how short and precious life is. Even after BM gets to "large" hopefully smaller regionals sprout off and it stays what it was meant to be and as many ppl can enjoy the experance as possible

[jduffm]

Great video! Great info! Change is what it's about!! Why is Chicken John so enraged??? BM is the coolest community in the world ... and it will continue to grow and ... CHANGE! YIPPEE!!!

[domitron]

I think my posts are backwards. Yuck. Read them from bottom to top I guess. I didn't think it through like you.

[domitron]

I guess I'm just excited about the event, and I don't want to diffuse the awesome energy of it by worrying about it's possible demise from a "critical mass" or whatever. The event is what it is, and it rocks! I'm fired up for this year too, even with the theme, and I can hardly wait to get on the playa and roll in the dust! See you there!

[domitron]

And for your contributions I am grateful and have had better experiences. Thank you.

But back to this film, I got a vibe watching this that was some question about the viability of the event given its population explosion (good problem). I'll admit that it is harder than ever to classify the community as one way or another, but the core of Burning Man is still sweet as honey, even if the community has become more fragmented with pockets of the clueless.

[domitron]

Obonin, I am no Burning Man jedi from the stone age of the event. I started attending in 2004 and haven't missed a year and will not. Last year I helped bring CycloVision and Glowin Shrooms to the playa. This year CycloVision is coming back and a lot more people will see it. It's likely about the most technologically advanced display that has ever hit the playa, and I hope you'll watch it. I must admit that the Flaming Lotus Girls do rock! You have made spectacular contributions.

[domitron]

Burning Man still rocks. Everyone says it's on it's last leg every year, but every year it gets more amazing and more attend.