Samsara

Overview

The term universal is often applied to films but it's unusual to find one which truly fits the bill. Samsara is one such rarity. The point of difference here is it contains no dialogue, not a word. That means there is nothing to translate. The compilation of striking images are left to speak for themselves.

During this five-year labour of love shot on 70mm film, Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson, the pair who brought us Baraka, transport the viewer to five continents. Through the use of haunting music and images of sacred grounds, natural wonders and industrial areas we are left to ponder the interconnectedness of our lives. Often the juxtapositions gently meld into one another and connections are evident. Desert dunes, buddhists monks, baptisms and life in rural African villages flow from one into the other. But at other times a change in focus is jarring as the camera cuts to cars crawling along the LA freeway, cubicle working life and the mundane actions of factory workers.

The clever thing about Samsara is how the filmakers have created such an open yet cohesive and engaging film. There are moments which seem a little contrived but they don't spoil the overall effect of this meditative and wonderous film. Definitely one to experience at the cinema.