Samsara (2011)

Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.

Director:

Ron Fricke

Writers:

Ron Fricke (concept and treatment written by), Mark Magidson (concept and treatment written by)

Stars:

Balinese Tari Legong Dancers, Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi, Puti Sri Candra Dewi

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Balinese Tari Legong Dancers	...	Dancers: Indonesia
Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi	...	Dancer: Valinese Tari Legong Dancers, Indonesia
Puti Sri Candra Dewi	...	Dancer: Valinese Tari Legong Dancers, Indonesia
Putu Dinda Pratika	...	Dancer: Valinese Tari Legong Dancers, Indonesia
Marcos Luna	...	Tattoo Daddy: USA
Hiroshi Ishiguro	...	Professor and Robot Clone: Japan (as Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro)
Olivier De Sagazan	...	Man At Desk: France
Ladyboys of Cascade Bar	...	Dancers: Thailand
Kikumaru	...	Geisha: Japan
Crisanto Neire	...	Lead Singer: Cebu Provincial Detenton Center, Philippines
Robert Henline	...	U>S> Army Veteran: USA (as Staff Sergeant Robert Henline)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tai Lihua	...	Lead Dancer: 1000 Habds Goddess Dance, China (as Iai Lihua)
Collin Alfredo St. Dic	...	Himself / Cyclist (as Collin St. Dic)

Storyline

Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.

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Plot Keywords:

shanghai china | trippy | yellowstone national park | turkey the country | hall of mirrors | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some disturbing and sexual images

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA Indonesia Singapore Thailand Kenya Denmark Brazil Jordan United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia South Africa Italy Ghana Egypt China Japan Ethiopia South Korea Namibia

Language:

None

Release Date:

23 August 2012 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Самсара

Filming Locations:

Indonesia

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$105,000, 31 August 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,601,847, 21 December 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bali Film Center, Bang Singapore, Bullet Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (8 channels) Datasat Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the filmmakers, Michael Stearns (composer) created his original score for Samsara after the film had been "silently edited" by Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson. This is different from their previous collaboration on Baraka (1992) where visuals were largely edited to a soundtrack.

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Connections

Featured in The Giver (2014)

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Soundtracks

Kothbiro
Performed by Ayub Ogada
Written by Ayub Ogada and Mbarak Achieng
Published by Womad Music, Ltd
(Admin by EMI-Virgin Songs, Inc.) (BMI)
Courtesy of Real World Records

User Reviews

A warning

I have found reviewing this film in detail to be futile. Instead, I will offer my own thoughts.

Whereas 1992's "Baraka" contemplates on humanity in a dream/god-like manner, Ron Fricke's "Samsara" is more intense and solemn in its tone. From the birth of civilization, mankind has used its gift for intelligence for nothing but progress, and now, today, we have either reached or gone over the tipping point. There is no where but down this time. Humans work mechanically in a clockwork fashion, consume everything in their path, and leave the excesses behind for others to scavenge. Eventually, all will collapse, leaving nothing behind and returning the state of civilization back to ground zero. And the wheel turns on. Is this what "Samsara", Frick and co-editor Mark Magidson is trying to say? Or did you experience a completely different interpretation? It is up to you to decide.

I will not ponder upon the technical details. The cinematography and editing is flawless; the music and music arrangement - simply mesmerizing. A work of art, like life itself, on this planet, in our cities and homes, in the desolate plains and mountains; they are shown in all its beauty, splendour and spectacle. Our planet is truly beautiful.

I will end my review with this note - you owe no one but yourself to see this film. Every man, woman and child should see this - regardless of their personal preference of culture and entertainment. This film is a message to all of us. A warning.

Overall rating: 100%