Testimonials
 
Over the Burning Man has acquired many reputations. Laurent Le Gall with "Voyage In Utopia" studies the humanistic celebration of the event. The preparation and execution of that week in the dessert of the rare places in the United States where spiritual freedom seems to be practiced. The 21st Century permits all generations to question their past and to discover their future rituals, their rediscovered values, with Burning Man.
Jean-Marc Barr, acteur réalisateur
 
I wanted to thank you for the DVD and CD of your film. I must say in all sincerity that it truly is the best film I have ever seen about Burning Man. It is incredibly well shot with great clarity. You also truly captured the essence of the playa and all that goes into the epic journey we take each year. I was happily surprised to see many of my friends in the film as well.
Christopher Bently, Owner/CEO, Bently Holdings
 
I have never been to Burning Man so Laurent LeGall’s film BURNING MAN: VOYAGE IN UTOPIA was tailor made for me. A Bosch or Brueghel painting about a Wild West Mardi Gras with Madame Blavatsky and Theosophy at one extreme, and an epic eruption of triumphalist Art and populist Theater on the other, it was as a pagan spectacle with its own quixotic Stonehenges, Chichen Itzas, and Angkor Wats each year painstakingly constructed and then ritually dismantled or destroyed, that this film assaulted my senses and whetted my appetite to see Burning Man for myself. LeGall’s rendering of this event is thorough and a little mad. He even shoots it from above (perhaps the most amazing perspective) and is talked into jumping out of an airplane with a group of sky divers, camera blazing. It’s not necessary to take its occasional pop spiritualism seriously, nor to make any particular distinction between charlatans and honest practitioners. The whole experience laughs at itself, as the film celebrates Burning Man’s roots in age- old ritualistic pilgrimages it both satirizes and enthusiastically embraces. Personally, I prefer its Boho, Summer of Love, Woodstock celebration of absurdity, nudity, and anti- cupidity to the Mecca- style meta- seriousness which vitiates much of religious impulse. LeGall’s terrific film shows that Burning Man operates on true anarchistic principles and, try as I may, I was unable to see why anyone would sponsor such a logistically challenging and ephemeral event for anything other than the joy of it. And if someone is making a buck or two off it, so do the priests, the wandering mendicants, and the temple administrators of many a self-proclaimed ascetic religion.I’ve been to many of the Mayan sites and to Egypt but didn’t get down as far as Abu Simbel. I’ve never seen the tantric temples of Khajuraho, or been to Angkor Wat. These are pilgrimages I hope to make. But if I never make it to Nevada and Burning Man, I will still have Laurent LeGall’s movie as a unique celebration of humankind which should make even the most dedicated cynic eager to experience it first hand.
Rob Nilsson, independent filmmaker
 
" I'm raised in the midwest, where family values reign, so the idea of experiencing the radical world of Burning Man was a stretch for this moral majority member. And hasn't that been the double-edged sword in growing this unique creative collaboration in the desert; attracting the originals without alienating the average? Laurent le Gall, and his groundbreaking film, “Voyage in Utopia”, accomplishes all of this and more. By reaching inside the soul of the movement, he subtly crafts a trap for the viewer. By the time he springs it it's way to late to do anything but surrender to the magic, the inspiration, the message of hope between the perfectly crafted frames. Le Gall is at the core of the plot although his appearances are limited. His spirit inhabits the frames from the opening to the credits, with his personal journey into a barren wasteland.
His film makes poetry from the dust, glory from the art, and produces tears from the sweetness of our silent and private glimpse at the common man, searching for serenity and community in an increasingly fragmented and lonely world reality. It is rare to see a film that allows script to take a backseat and allows imagery to guide us, the silent viewer, to the profoundly personal interpretation of the events herein. For those bold new filmakers who tred gingerly on the taboo subjects of politics, sexuality, societal rebellion, Laurent leGall's poignant film boldly ilustrates that the language of imagery, choreographed by a master of the medium, can tell a story that seems written for each of us personally. "
Michael Owen, founder, creative director newZonia, the new dimension of internet
 
" This is an excellent film that kept that brought me right back to Burning Man in a very personal way, with all the emotions, excitement and depth of experience. It intimately shares challenges, triumphs and amazing contributions of some of the incredible artists, and gives you a glimpse into creation of the phenomena of Burning Man. "
Debra Giusti, Founder of Harmony Festival
 
" Wanted to share with you how impressed I was with your film. Your photographic instincts were superb. The portrayal of those participating at the event and the portrayal of David Best were engaging and sensitive. I thought that you wove the genesis of the event as a whole with the intimacy of the experience seemlessly. You have an excellent eye and obviously a naturalness to allow others, an ease. The editing was also wonderful as was the timing and rhythm of the piece. If this is what you set out to accomplish you must be very proud. Congratulations. "
Mickey Freeman, cinematographer and director
 
“ Voyage to Utopia perfectly reflects what the essence of Burning Man is: harmony, acceptance and expression.  The film, very interestingly features among its well recognized Burning Man pioneers, the French tribe of the film maker himself - reminding us that Burning Man is not just an American experience, but, a human experience, a universal experience.  Laurent Le Gall has the unique ability to bring full presence to film. ”
Carrie Vuich, Community Marketing Director, Santa Barbara
 
" Excellent!!! You did such a great job of capturing something that is very difficult to do - the sacred side of Burning Man. I've been going since 1994 and have seen lots of documentaries but this one comes the closest to conveying the spiritual side. You got some really fantastic and intimate footage. Congratulations on a fine piece of work. "
Randy Ralston, Burning Man - Ireland Regional Contact
 
" I was deeply touched by "Utopia"... Touched that it captured the real heart of burning man... Which is the art.  This movie has something to inspire everyone.. ..those who have been there.. ...those who have always wanted to go.. ...and those that thought they would never go.  Seeing the brilliance of what burning man offers through watching the personal stories is moving and adds a depth that is missing from so many movies of The City that gets built in the desert. "
Jessica Barrilleaux, Proprietess of Bambu’ Tea Lounge Sebastopol, CA
 
" Congratulations on a fantastic turnout and an all-round super-successful evening. I was especially grateful for your kind words about me from the podium, thank you. Kristine and I purposely viewed the film downstairs, in the center of the theatre where the crowds were the thickest, for maximum impact. I can tell you that the audience response was phenomenal down there. What we were not prepared for was just how many people were moved to tears by the film. There was a lot of sniffling and blowing of noses all around us. And, of course, both of us got choked up. The feedback I've heard thus far has been glowing. Several people have commented on the amazing editing in the film. The pace, the attention to detail, the good humor, all of it made for a rich experience. Perhaps more than anything, I love the heart and soul conveyed in the film. It's the thing that makes it really stand apart, in my view. It's just such a soulful and evocative piece of work. "
Scott London, Photographer www.scottlondon.com
 
" Voyage in Utopia is a fantastic film.For the first time the soul of Burning Man has been honored! "
Artist Alex Grey, www.alexgrey.com
 
“ This is the best Burning Man movie I have seen, a carefully balanced rendering of the social, emotional and artistic scale of this event. The music is fabulous, Nelly's voice makes you feel the heat. It makes me want to participate again next year. ”
Benoit Menendez
 
“ Excellent film ! Very well done, thanks for looping it around the work of David Best and the temple. May it be shown through out the land! ”
David Kupfer
 
“ A powerful visual and emotional experience waits as you take this journey to the ancient dry lakebed that is Black Rock Deseret Nevada through the eyes of filmmaker Laurent Le Gall and the work of artist David Best. You are quickly drawn in as a city of 50,000 people arises from the nothingness of the playa to become Nevada’s third largest city for one week each year. Voyage in Utopia is a fine piece of filmmaking not to be missed. ”
Mark Moore
 
" I caught the premier of your film the other night and just wanted to say that it was amazing. Well done! I really enjoyed it. The film caught the wide array of emotions that Burning Man (and the Temple) evoke. It's a great insiders perspective on the diversity of experiences that happen in that wacky desert. The namesake for the event and even the layout of the place all spins around the burning of the man and yet, I feel the temple is the central piece that delivers meaning to BM. Thanks for your contribution to the movement. "
April
 
" Thanks! You were FABULOUS! And your film was very, very well received. BRAVO, LAURENT! "
Caroluna www.caroluna.com
 
" Wow what a night I heard laughter, I saw tears, I felt hope, creativity and a sense of wanting community, those were just from people sitting in the seats. Amazing! Once again I was very touched by your film, Thank you very much, it was truly a gift. I look forward to seeing you on the Playa. Congratulations on a very successful evening. "
Ralph
 
" Wanted to say hello and how lovely it was to meet you at Harmony - I ran into you and David Best on the way to your film viewing. I really loved the movie - it was so great to see those pictures from the airplane - I won Miss Black Rock City 2005 pageant and a plane ride was the prize.  Your movie took me right back to the jump set with tears streaming down my face.  SOOOO majestic !!!!! "
Heather Newman
 
" During a burning man exhibition in Santa Rosa, California, I was privileged to view Voyage to Utopia. I was very moved by your film and I enjoyed a vicarious thrill from the energy of the Burning Man experience portrayed in the film. "
Thomas Yeates
 
" It is at once elevating, poignant, deeply stirring and of course full of the robustness and excitement of all that Burning Man ...is... including a really outstanding soundtrack by primarily a French artist named Nelly Mella. "
Laura Fox
 
" We watched the movie last night and I loved it. Great blend of drama and humor. It really can be a drama in the desert with all that is revealed. The temple has always been a favorite for all the dedicated burners and represents the heart of what is being done here. The film feels so very real, which is hard to bring to the screen. Imagine all the spiritual awakenings that have happened at burning man! Or even just all the hearts that have been touched. Great work. "
Brian Smiley
 
" 40,000 people could not explain burning man to a stranger with 40,000 stories but, you have caught the essence of this event like no other attempts...A fine work of art....great composition, great sound, great up and close camera on Larry and David and a fantastic job of editing.....A very intimate look at a gargantuan spectacle.....My hat is off to you sir.... this is clearly going to be loved by all who see it, burners or not.... You be the film master and I thank you wholeheartedly... "
David Spurgeon, Architect designer
 
" The creation is the friend who's embracing awakes us, thank you for awaking me with your movie. It captures a great cultural Truth, and you did it with heart & soul. "
Joseph Jacques
 
" It was great meeting you and seeing your film which I thoroughly enjoyed. As I mentioned to you I have been with the Burning Man project since 1990, having been one of the 80 people who brought it out to the Black Rock desert on that fated weekend. I have watched it grow every summer for the last 18 years and continue to be fascinated and amazed by what it revels each time I pass through its portal, what I've learned in the meantime: The Voyage to Utopia is Never Ending. "
Louis Brill
 
" I met you last Friday at the COSM viewing of your excellent documentary of Burning Man. The images you captured at the festival have infected me ever since! i was so moved by the freedom of expression, the spirituality and the mind blowing art. I laughed, I cried and I had goosebumps all over my body on many different occasions while watching the film. I can only imagine the sensation from experiencing this first hand. "
Kelli Birke, New York
 
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