Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock

Although Burning Man, the famous countercultural “happening” held annually for the past two decades in the Nevada desert, has been the subject of numerous documentaries over the years, Burning Man: Beyond Black Rock—which covers the 20th anniversary in 2004—is one of the better examples. The film takes viewers behind the scenes to illustrate how the event—which combines music, dance, and art (culminating in the torching of a giant wooden man)—comes together, interviewing organizers as well as a select few of the thousands who attend and contribute to the carnival atmosphere (nudity is common). Devotees explain, though not always in the clearest terms (partially the fault of too-brisk editing), the philosophy behind the celebration, and the film also looks at the impact—both positive and negative—of the enormous growth of the enterprise (the number of revelers exceeded 35,000 in 2004), and notes how Burning Man's success has spawned numerous regional offshoots in the U.S. and other countries, transforming it into an international movement. The dual-sided disc includes scads of extras, including the exuberant short “Preacher with an Unknown God,” about one Reverend Billy and his Church of Stop Shopping; two hours of deleted scenes, extended interviews, and outtakes; and a brief featurette on the “Glitter Monkey Rodeo,” the 2004 regional event in Austin, Texas. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)