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 Man represent ?  You'll find as many different answers as you'll find people at the event.

Movie Pick of the Month

AquaBurn : Directed by Bill Breithaupt Aqua Burn, the film that started it all, captures the energy and spirit of Burning Man 2002's (Floating World Theme).          In July of 2002, Head of media operations, Burning Man LLC, Jim Graham offered Bill Breithaupt a spot in the 1st annual Burning Man Film Festival. Jumping at the opportunity Bill headed to Burning Man for his fourth year in a row, partying and filming the entire week as usual. When he returned home he locked himself in his office and edited. In the three weeks between the end of Burning Man 2002 and the day of the film festival he worked a total of 180 hours. The final result was Aqua Burn. The 300 + audience that packed into the Rio Theater that day was astounded. At the end of the film they cheered, then quieted to watch all the credits, and then cheered again. They also gave Bill a standing ovation (at the end of which he thanked his mom).                 Burning Man festival's director, Jim Graham described the film as "a cross between Koyaanisqatsi and an extreme sports video". The events of the evening far surpassed Bill's expectations.  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's Documentary Special Jury Award.            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.   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.    "Aqua Burn"  Directed by Bill Breithaupt (Burning Man Sanctioned FilmMaker)                                     The Film Rated #1 by Burners  !!!!! Burning Man 2002, 35 minutes, by Bill Breithaupt Aqua Burn is an interpretive look at Burning Man 2002 that documents the Floating world theme, the spirituality, the creativity, and the fun! It showcases the participants' imagination, effort, and time that went into the art projects, camps, and activities to make them so engaging.  Aqua Burn includes enlightening interviews with participating Burners, from first timers to veterans. Breithaupt has given out hundreds of his energetic annual films that capture the experience of BM: "The Burning Man Project" (1999), "Got Fire?" (2000), and "Are You Lost?" (2001). Aqua Burn is a change of pace from Bill's prior films, but arguably more compelling. He has really burned the midnight oil to get this 2002 film ready in less than 30 days. Described as "a cross between Koyaanisqatsi and an extreme sports video", Aqua Burn explores the Floating World, the theme of Burning Man 2002, capturing the spirituality, creativity, energy and fun of the event.  Showcasing the imagination, effort and time that participants injected into the art projects, camps and activities, Bill Breithaupt's fourth Burning Man film shows how these projects engage the other participants and help to make Burning Man the ultimate interactive community.  Enlightening interviews with participating Burners, from first timers to veterans, complete the picture. http://www.aquaburn.com                      Check out theMovie Trailers !   Click here to View Trailer #1     Trailer #2                 "Aqua Burn" Receives a standing ovation at the Santa Cruz Burning Man Film Festival !   Click here to watch                                    Warning Note: Film and video cameras are forbidden without permission at Burning Man. 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. All video cameras must be registered and tagged.