Samsara (2001)

A spiritual love-story set in the majestic landscape of Ladakh, Himalayas. Samsara is a quest; one man's struggle to find spiritual Enlightenment by renouncing the world. And one woman's ... See full summary »

Director:

Pan Nalin

Writers:

Pan Nalin (story), Pan Nalin (screenplay)

Stars:

Shawn Ku, Christy Chung, Neelesha Barthel

Top Rated Indian Movies #146 | 4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Shawn Ku	...	Tashi / Husband
Christy Chung	...	Pema / Wife
Neelesha Barthel	...	Sujata / Migrant farm worker (as Neelesha BaVora)
Lhakpa Tsering	...	Dawa / Local merchant
Tenzin Tashi	...	Karma / Tashi and Pema's son
Jamayang Jinpa	...	Sonam / Monk
Sherab Sangey	...	Apo / Monastery mentor
Kelsang Tashi	...	Jamayang / Pema's former fiance
Tsepak Tsangpo	...	Chen Tulku / Head Lama
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Norbu Dolma	...	Dolma
Sonam Gyatso	...	Tenzim
Jampa Kalsang Tamang	...	Wedding Singer

Storyline

A spiritual love-story set in the majestic landscape of Ladakh, Himalayas. Samsara is a quest; one man's struggle to find spiritual Enlightenment by renouncing the world. And one woman's struggle to keep her enlightened love and life in the world. But their destiny turns, twists and comes to a surprise ending...

---

Plot Keywords:

tibetan traditions | ladakh | love | infidelity | buddhist | 

---

Taglines:

What is more important: satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one...

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality and some nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Fandango [Italy] ocean films [France]

Country:

India Germany France Italy Switzerland

Language:

Tibetan Ladakhi

Release Date:

30 April 2002 (France)

Also Known As:

Самсара

Filming Locations:

Tso Moriri, Ladakh, India

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,278,767

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pandora Filmproduktion, Paradis Films, Fandango

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kelly Dorji was offered the lead role but declined.

---

Goofs

Tashi blows up a stick of wood he is using to light butterlamps. Tibetan people don't blow on flames, since this is regarded as damaging to your health.

---

Quotes

Written on Stone: How can one prevent a drop of water from ever drying up?
Written on Stone: By throwing it into the sea...

---

Crazy Credits

Credits scroll from the top to bottom of the screen.

---

Connections

Featured in Remember Me, My Love (2003)

---

Soundtracks

Bumblebee
Written by Dadon
Lyrics by H.H. 6th Dalai Lama

User Reviews

Good!

This film is about a Buddhist monk who decided to give up his monastery life and marry a woman to satisfy his sexual desires. The film was shot in northern India. The scenery, buildings, culture and the people were so similar to Tibet, that many viewers wondered if the film was really shot in India.

I watched this film in the Hong Kong International Film Festival. The film director Mr Pan Nalin and the leading actress, Miss Christy Chung were present to let the spectators to ask questions or to raise some comments about this film. I thought it was a very good idea, and during the Q&A session there were so many people asking sensible and thought provoking questions that made the whole film watching experience almost a spiritual experience.

The way that the story unfolded was very well planned too. In the beginning the film posed a question: "How to prevent a drop of water from ever drying up?". In the end, the monk faced a dilemma of whether to go back to his monastery or to go back to his wife. Either way he would have to betray the other party. Therefore he seeked an answer from this riddle. The answer was "Throw the drop of water into the ocean". For me, I think that this means that the monk needs to go back to the religion, and leave his wife and children behind. This is because, to prevent himself from being lost and confused, he should go back to where he belong. Obviously, this is my interpretation of the film, and it may not necessarily be right.

The film was entirely in Tibetan. I think this is such an achievement to make a film in Tibetan! This made the film so authentic, as if it is a documentary about a monk. In addition, the scenery was so beautiful in the film. I have always loved the mountain landscape, and this film provided many mountains for me to admire. Another point I like about this film is that, it didn't have a lot of conversation, but the story and the emotion can be clearly communicated to the spectators.

This film is powerful and beautiful. It is also spiritual, unlike a commercial film which aims to make money. It provokes people to think, and to reflect upon their own life. However, if you do not like Tibet or understand about Buddhism, then this film may be boring.