Samsara - a review
August 25th 2007 00:30
Samsara is film that has stayed with me since the first time I’ve seen it. It is a story of desire and destiny which is visually beautiful. The film begins with a hawk dropping a rock on a goat in a metaphorical aerial bombardment that approximates the thunderbolts of love that descend on the head of the movie's lead.
Samsara is a pursuit; one man's struggle to find spiritual enlightenment by renouncing the world and all around him. It is a sensual love-story set in the majestic, peaceful landscape of the Himalayas, a place I yearn to visit. Maybe, one day I will make that journey. Additionally it is also the story of a woman's struggle to keep her enlightened love and life in the world. The main characters’ are striking, especially Shawn Ku as Tashi, whose exploration of inner conflict is translucent, and Christy Chung is sublime and graceful.
While I was doing some research (I’m no good at remembering characters’ names) I learnt there is another Samsara film. It took me a while to realise this and explains why the synopsis I was reading didn’t sound familiar and quite right. The second Samsara is currently in production aiming to be completed by the end of this year. It’s directed by experimental filmmaker Ron Fricke, and is aimed at being a sequel to the strongly atmospheric Baraka (another film on my list to review) created in 1992.
Back to the Samsara I am actually reviewing and have seen several times, it’s a 2001 independent Italy/France/Indian/German film which tells the story of a Buddhist monk's quest to find enlightenment. Directed by Pan Nalin, it was shot entirely in Ladakh, India, a primarily Mahayana Buddhist region in the Himalayas close to the borders of China and Pakistan. It's a land of peasant farmers, migrant workers, merchants, monks and nomadic shepherds. Pan’s dream was to make a film that explores desire, destiny and spirituality and this aspiration is sucessful, the scenery is sublime and the atmosphere matches. In the 51st Melbourne International Film Festival It was awarded the Audience Award for The Most Popular Film.
The story takes place over a few years and chronicles the journey of Tashi as he returns to the monastery and his life after three continuous years of meditation in a cave. I found the scene of him waking up mesmerising, noticing the parts of his body that had clearly grown while sat unmoving, such as his hair and nails.
According to my book, 365 Buddha Daily Meditations by Jeff Schmidt, samsara is the Sanskrit and Pali term for "continuous movement" or "continuous flowing". In Buddhism it refers to the concept of ‘a cycle of birth, old age, affliction, and death, flowing again to rebirth from an unknowable beginning’. All beings in the universe participate and can only be disengaged through enlightenment. It is also associated with suffering and is generally considered the antithesis of nirvana or nibbana. The Macquarie dictionary defines it as the 'process of coming into existence as a differentiated, mortal creature'. Hence, we understand why Tashi meditated for three years in an attempt to become enlightened and possibly a different person.
The journey is seen through Tashi’s eyes. Despite living a life devoted to the rigors of spiritual development, he finds himself experiencing a surprisingly profound sexual awakening when he meets Pema, a beautiful young woman. For the first time, Tashi begins to question the spiritual values of his monastic existence with anguish, discovering that he might have to experience worldly existence in order to renounce it.
The film’s pace is unhurried which is in keeping with its essence. It allows us to see and feel the distress of Tashi’s conflict, where he moves from the confines of celibacy and strict mental disciplines to a strong unrelenting yearning to have a sexual relationship with Pema. There is a particular scene where Pema and Tashi act according to their desires, where once seen you won’t forget. I won’t divulge any more as it is unique and indeed sensual.
Samsara is truly a visual feast. The blend of inner conflict and stark scenery creates a unique, deeply affecting story. It is is told mainly without dialogue which proves somewhat hypnotic.
Its tagline is ‘what is more important: satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one’. I can’t answer that question but it is certainly one that sets the mind pondering.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Great work Tracy...have you seen Himalaya? I think you would really enjoy that one too.
,
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your compliments, they are always appreciated. I've had this review in process for a few months now and finally, I finished it this morning. I think it took me so long as I loved the film so much and my review was far too long for a post so I had to chop it down.
I haven't seen Himalaya but I would definitely like to, I'm in that kind of zone at the moment, ready to absorb another peaceful, atmospheric film. I'm seeing The White Planet which suits my mood well.Thanks for the idea.
Tracy
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Spiritual, yes, real life, afraid not. But a really interesting film and you've done a lovely revue.
katyzzz
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It is a different world, but I think we can take bits of it for our own lives,well I do anyway: the focus on relationships, slowing down in life, meditating, trying to appreciate the present...
It's a beautiful film, katyzzz. I would definitely recommend if you feel like an atmospheric, slow-paced film.
Tracy
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
what an amazingly spiritual and moving film, and your review of it was extremely well done...
I'll have to buy a permanent copy now and keep it in my video librabry...
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks as always for your comments.
Y'know, I thought I had a copy of this in my collection and was so disappointed when I realised it was all in my imagination. So, I borrowed my brother-in-law's and am going to get my own, like you. It shouldn't be too difficult to get,after all it's a gem.
Have a great weekend and thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by nagster
Cenacle
I really do not like pseudo-spiritual schlock that's dished by auteurs today. Usually, this kind of stuff is too cheesy. I will give it a pass inspite of your good notice.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's not cheesy schlock at all but I can understand it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Thanks for your comments,
Byeee,
Tracy
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I have not heard of this movie before. After reading your review I reckon I will look out for it, it sounds like a great watch.
Ash
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think you would really love it. It's peaceful and the scenery is incredible. I think there are quite a few Orblers that would like it too. I would definitely recommend it.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
WOW! Fantastic review, and sounds like an incredibly beautiful film. You have definitely piqued my interest about that uniquely sensual scene...
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thank-you for such a compliment.
Writing about Samsara was a joy as I relived some of the parts that particularly stood out for me, plus allowing that mindfulness feeling seep through me again. I can still feel it by simply writing about the film.
Thank-you,
Tracy
PS If you see, feel free to pop back and tell me what you think...
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I just finished watching this movie and loved it! What a beautiful story set in such beautiful scenery.
I have 'Himalaya' to watch next and can`t wait.
Perhaps I`ll see you in one of those valleys one day?
Excellent review of an excellent film
Ash
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Sorry about that belated response. Hope you're well.
Have you seen 'Himalaya' yet? I haven't seen it, but would love to.
I would love to meet up in a valley one day...
Thanks for your compliment, always appreciated
Trace