The universe is full of things that are bot infinitely varied yet profoundly the same. From every galaxy, to every grain of sand, to every life there is, has been, and will be; each one is simultaneously somewhat uniform yet entirely unique. The complex web of factors behind the diversity appears almost chaotic, but scratch beneath the surface and patterns, formula, laws can always be found if you go deep enough.
And that's what I took away from Samsara. It's an exquisitely shot and deeply moving piece of work In 102 minutes Fricke and Magidson do a heck of a job in presenting as systemic a picture of the diversity and complexity of our societies and the Earth system processes they find themselves within whilst also hinting at the commonalities to be found everywhere also.
It seems as if the media are being especially bleak at the moment. And being so incredibly moved by a film that couldn't be any more non-fiction provided a strong beam of optimistic light in the encroaching darkness. The level of connection to this planet and the people on it which Samsara can stimulate is truly something.
After watching it, I returned to a YouTube comment that stood out for me. It said: "the feeling of awe is almost the ultimate antidote against existential despair. It's beautiful how they captured these everyday wonders that we are culturally conditioned to ignore". In a world showing worrying signs of tipping points, collapses and risks of futures that are incompatible with a civilised global community, Samsara is a reminder that it's the diversity of our cultures, our loves, our very existences that may ultimately unite us. If only we'd let it.
Watch this film.
And that's what I took away from Samsara. It's an exquisitely shot and deeply moving piece of work In 102 minutes Fricke and Magidson do a heck of a job in presenting as systemic a picture of the diversity and complexity of our societies and the Earth system processes they find themselves within whilst also hinting at the commonalities to be found everywhere also.
It seems as if the media are being especially bleak at the moment. And being so incredibly moved by a film that couldn't be any more non-fiction provided a strong beam of optimistic light in the encroaching darkness. The level of connection to this planet and the people on it which Samsara can stimulate is truly something.
After watching it, I returned to a YouTube comment that stood out for me. It said: "the feeling of awe is almost the ultimate antidote against existential despair. It's beautiful how they captured these everyday wonders that we are culturally conditioned to ignore". In a world showing worrying signs of tipping points, collapses and risks of futures that are incompatible with a civilised global community, Samsara is a reminder that it's the diversity of our cultures, our loves, our very existences that may ultimately unite us. If only we'd let it.
Watch this film.