Spark: A Burning Man Story (2013)

           This documentary film traces the history and growing pains of the annual one week event that transforms the Black Rock desert in Nevada into a city of 60,000 people. Founded in 1996, Burning Man — a reference to the ritual burning of a wooden effigy at the end of the event, is many things to different people. It's an art festival, a party, theme camps, and a celebration of radical self-expression. I liked the description of a community that prioritizes "social capital." Burning Man is also famous for its "10 Principles." The film follows three artists as they prepare massive projects for the 2012 event. But all this anarchy now requires a sophisticated bureaucracy, including a year-round staff of 50 people in San Francisco, and a lottery for tickets that were once free but now cost $400. The film ends with a note that similar Burning Man events now take place in 50 places around the world. I watched this film on Comcast streaming.