Samsara
Short description
Samsara is a non-verbal documentary that explores the cycle of existence through a global journey. The film juxtaposes the beauty of natural wonders and sacred sites with the harsh realities of industrial complexes and disaster zones. By visiting twenty-five countries across five continents, the imagery highlights the contrasts between tradition and modernity, as well as the relationship between human life and the rhythm of the planet.
Directed by Ron Fricke, this project followed his 1992 film Baraka. The production took nearly five years to complete and was shot entirely on seventy-millimetre film. The cast includes various individuals captured in their environments, such as Valinese Tari Legong Dancers and Hiroshi Ishiguro. The film was produced by Mark Magidson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Fricke.
Produced by Oscilloscope and Magidson Films with a budget of 4 million USD, the movie earned the same amount at the worldwide box office. Audience reception has been positive, with a rating of 8.4/10 on IMDb from 40,000 votes and 8.1/10 on TMDB from 706 votes. These scores are higher than the film critics' rating of 6.9/10 based on 77 reviews.
What's left behind the scenes
- Samsara (literally meaning 'continuous flow' from Sanskrit) is the repeating cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth in religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Bon, Jainism, and Yoga. In Sikhism, this concept differs somewhat and looks at our actions and their consequences in the present.
- The film was shot entirely on 70mm film.
- The film took over 5 years to create and was made in 25 countries around the world.
- According to the creators, composer Michael Sterns wrote the soundtrack for the film after the editing was completed by Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson. During their previous collaboration – the film "Baraka" (1992) – the editing was done to pre-existing music.
- For several years, the filmmakers tried to obtain permission to film in North Korea, but were ultimately denied.
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