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Is it better to satisfy 1000 desires or to conquer one? It is better to see the movie, obviously.

"Samsara, in Buddhism, is the opposite of Nirvana. It is the world we live in now. For Buddhists this is the world of illusion. The next world is the real world."

This film is the story of a young Buddhist monk who joined the monastery at the age of 5. Troubled by erotic thoughts, he is tempted to give up his vow of celibacy and forsake his quest for enlightenment to join the rest of the world (the world of illusion).

The movie was filmed in the Himalayan region of Ladakh in northwest India by a German film team. What stands out most about it is the beautiful vistas and the immersion into a different culture. Although the film is set in modern times, you feel that you have been transported to an older way of life that is more in tune with the harmony of the earth.

What you get out of the film is directly proportional to your knowledge and understanding of the Buddhist teachings. While the cinematography of Bulgarian-born Rali Raltschev is breath-taking and can be enjoyed by anyone, the story is rather slow, subtle and open-ended. Much of what happens in the film is left for the audience's interpretation. Without a proper cultural reference, some of what happens in the film and the motivations of the characters can be hard to understand.

I don't think this is a movie for everyone, but I think most people can at least appreciate the beauty of the film. It will leave you with a sense of having traveled somewhere else even if you get nothing more out of it.

Jason Parsons

{5 votes}

August 29, 2004

Not for the buddhist in you

My boyfriend is buddhist and I won't recommend it to him, it's an anti-buddhist, anti-religion film but only at the very end.

For all those others like me who their real religion is art, go see this astonishing array of colorfully constrasted images of the Himalaya (and probably the place where Bin Laden hides, no wonder why, it's virtually empty) and don't take sleeping pills before. You will need wake-ups to stay awake for this unHollywood pace of action. How brainwashed are we now, north americans, unable to whistand 5 seconds of silence and no moving cameras for a scene? Well, sometimes, I'd wish they'd freeze the images more, so i could appreciate all the beauty of this asian landscape which I would surely never go. No, it's not an Imax film, but quite close.

As you already know from all the other commentaries, we follow the awakening after three years of reclusion of Tashi, a young buddhist monk, who began to feel the Great Urge. The Heterosexual one. At the great displeasure of his (loving?) buddhist friend Sonam. So Tashi enters the real world of love, work, sex, family, jalousy, envy, money, prestige and extorsion with a beautiful farmer girl.

Which is better? The real world or the buddhist world? This film doesn't really answer the question but raise a great flaw in all those religions that only a female mind would dare to expose..... What happened to all the wives of these great Lord? A very feminist view ridicule all the glory of the Buddhas saving all souls in the world but unable to leave their wives in an adult way. So why pray for Buddha and all the Gods, when they were not even able (if they really existed) to do the most human thing, a clear-cut adult breakup with their loved ones? That's a reason more for staying atheist.

There are some special effect in this movie, hopefully not much because they are clumsy. I won't see it twice, it's the kind of film you see once, then maybe only return to it for the mountain scenes and the sari-sl

Luc Marchant

{11 votes}

August 22, 2004

Dilemma

Samsara is the type of movie where no one will ever remember and it's a shame because it is very different. It is very different to what we are used to here in America and most of all original, one of my favorites words when reffering to movies.

An incredible tagline puts you right on the spot: "What is more important: satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one?" Those are very profound words and we expect anytihng less from this production.

Lead actor Shawn Ku was brilliant as Tashi the man in search of enlightment. If you don't mind subtitles and more importantly very SLOW paced movies (this one clocks in over 2 hours and 15 minutes) Samsara is a great cinematographic experience. It also is an important look on different cultures around the world and even different religions. Just by looking at the countries that implemented their knowledge in making this movie, we can find Italy, France, India and Germany. Four very different countries all bring something different.

If you happen to decide to go see the movie, bring a friend with you, it's the type of movie where it is fun to discuss the various topics afterwards and I can imagine being very frustrating not able to talk to anyone about the movie after the viewing. Especially since the average movie-goer will never EVER hear about this movie.

If you like indies, romance and subtitles does not matter to you, Samsara is a very intriguing movie. You just have to resist the very slow pace in the beginning to enjoy a very solid ending.

Anthony Narciso

{15 votes}

August 20, 2004

Beautiful landscape, huh?

I am from the place where the movie is shot in. Even though, I have not been able to see the movie as yet, but I have heard a lot of good reviews from my friends here in the U.S. and in UK and australia. But not quite so from the place where it is shot in.

I happened to go back to Ladakh, the place where the movie is set in, over summer and I was helping with a travel documentary. We wanted a monk to talk about a monastry but the monk was very reluctant. Later, he was telling me about this movie - SAMASARA and that they are not very happy with what what, they heard, is being shown in the movie. In his own words, he was saying, " I heard that in the movie the monk dances and engange in physical pleasure. This has brought shame to ur monastary as well as the notion of being a monk. We helped them to shoot in our monastary and in our villages, but they never explained to us what the movie is going to be about."

Now they don't like people making movie about monks anymore. To my understanding, the monk community even had a little protest against the movie and of course, the movie is banned in Ladakh, India. But their voices wouldn't have gone beyond the confines of the mountains!

May be one should take the initiative of explaining stuff to the monks who definately seem to have no clue about what the movie is about so that they understand what it is actually than just getting swayed on rumours. Poor monks, they do indeed deserve an explanation!

Sonam Angmo

November 2, 2006

An exotic movie

It's worth going to see the movie, a distinguished style from the Hollywood.

Samsara reminds me another movie, "the girl with a pearl earing", also a slow and legendary story(it was shown in May at AMC too). The movies present the nature and beauty of life and human being, the ever question about the conflict between our heart, desire and the world, the so-called enlightment.

Jian Lin

September 10, 2004

My understanding of my culture

This movie gives me lots of thinking even after I watched it two weeks later. Although I am not a buddist, but the same culture background makes me understand the sense of this moive behind the story. Every step in Tashi's life, from a monk, to a husband and a father, back to a monk, is a learning experience of life. Whatever he did, right or wrong from our opinions, is benefit for him to become a real person. We have a saying in our culture that everyone was born evil, this learning experience for Tashi is get rid of evil. And the same for everyone. At the end of the movie, Tashi is walking circle and circle, I believe he is searching the real meaning of life, and he will not stop until he achieve it...

Bin Qi

{1 vote}

September 3, 2004

A Different Kind Of Movie

The film appears like it was taken from a National Geographic expose and gives you a pretty good idea of life in this distant rugged mountain region of India. The young actors are all quite handsome especially the main characters. Tashi after a long period of meditation joins the real world and finds a bride in Pema who is already spoken for. There was the intriguing scene where Pema could no longer sit on the fence and chose Tashi as her husband.

I found Tashi and Pema great in their love scenes which exuded great desire and longing. Tashi is a bit of a hot head who first gets rid of the grain middleman and later wants to fire the migrant workers over the protests of his level headed wife. When half his crop is burned he loses his self control and lashes out against those he deems responsible for the arson. But it is finally his affair with a stunning migrant worker that destroys his happy marriage. I found it sad that he abandoned his family without a word.

I particularly liked the scene where their young kid is watching them while his mother and father are engaging in sexual intercourse. There is a devious smile on his face. I have always wondered why such a natural human act is considered taboo. In my opinion it would be the best way for him to learn about sex education.

I learned that even primative poeple have problems.

Stephen Talko

August 28, 2004

Cultures Clash!

I was also one of the advanced screening folks (it was the best token I ever spent). Once in a while I see a film that is so different from my culture that it draws you in. The cinematography in this film is first rate! The country side of the Himalayas is incredible. The cast is also first rate: Shawn Ku as the buddist monk Tashi is really strong in this role, as is local Montrealer Christy Chung (Pema), as his love interest. These actors lead the way along with a good supporting cast. One of the difficulties actors face in films such as this one, is a lack of dialogue. To act without much dialogue is tough, but these actors do a wonderful job using body gestures and facial expressions. I was taken away by this film to another country of which I have little knowledge, and that is one of the thrills of film-going. If you want a good example of the gestures I am trying to describe, see the film and look for a scene where Tashi goes on a quest to see one of the Buddist elders. The Master explains to Tashi what desire does to a man, not through dialogue, but through a series of drawings similar to those in the Kama Sutra.

I hope this film stands a chance at an oscar for best foreign fillm award, it deserves to be nominated.

The film is slow by North American standards, but this is no North American film, so go and relax, meditate a bit and enjoy this movie!

Barry Robinson

August 28, 2004

Cultures

This movie is very different from the American movies we're used to seeing. The pace is slow and it takes a bit of time to get used to it and than it's all worth it. The actors did an excellent performance showing us the different cultures and religions. I would recommend this movie to my friends. I find that after seeing this type of movie, you can discuss the various topics exposed through out this film.

Louise Bacchi

{1 vote}

August 27, 2004

Meditation on Samsara

This movie is a difficult movie to recommend to friends. More than a post card and certainly worth seeing, it remains not a remarkable piece and may not find its way into any Top 10 of the Year...

We are witness to the new challenges faced by a Buddhist monk at the end of 3 years of isolation and meditation. The outside world is tempting, but how can he leave behind the monastery he has known since he was five, abandoned there by his father? Should he give in to his desires or try to contain them? The movie is filled with themes dear to a fair part of the eastern movies: respect of traditions, contemplation of the surroundings, spirituality, torment between old and new ways, etc. It also contains definitely modern touches of sensuality and eroticism (compared to the Indian helicopter, the toupie québécoise is nothing new!).

The pace is slow, but calculated. You can feel the different approach to the passing of time a region of the world where the 9 to 5 is nonexistent. The insight into the monastery life is also interesting: monks from 5 to 95 years of age living together as a community at the end of the world. This film is by far superior to the 3 hour ayurveda documentary/ infomercial "Ayurveda: Art of Being" from the same director, Nalin Pan. Samsara also gave me the chance to see for the first time Brossard-born Christy Chung, superstar in Asia, in her 22nd film. Let's hope we see her on our screens before her 44th!

Marie-Claude Meilleur

August 26, 2004

I Saw... Well okay...

I went to the advance screening of the movie on Thursday evening and quite sadly for me I was exhausted and I fell asleep during the movie trailer before the film to wake up 1h20min into the movie. I just hope I didn't snore up there in the last row.

Well here's for what I have effectively seen of that movie :

Wonderful picture, it's nice to see a desertic land like that one and to learn about the culture just by watching the film.

A rythm so slow... Well you all know how occidental culture is about fast pace action and fluid story. Here we have a movie of another kind. A movie that take the time to tell you a story. A story which goes on for years. A quest for serenity and peacefulness.

Will I ever rent it to see the beginning? Most probably in ten years or so. Until then, all those of you who like oriental culture should run to the nearest theater screening the movie. It won't be availible that long.

Nicolas Gauthier

{1 vote}

August 20, 2004

Spiritual,stunning performances!

Truely a movie with great taste and beautiful sharp pictures. It is a remarkable movie that leaves you pondering about values and perhaps choices you have had to make in your own life. To be truely satisfied in life you must also prepare to endure the pain. This man caught between to choices in his life realized that you can never be totally satisfied with enduring the pain or hunger for more than what you have presently.Everything about this movie is touching and sensual and complex as it is simple. A movie of few words but many thoughts.To me these are the real blockbusters and if you like culture it will transport to where few men have ever been before. which is the uniqueness of this movie.

Maria Cecillia Silva

{1 vote}

August 20, 2004

Extraordinary Film!!

I saw the advanced screening of the spiritual love story "Samsara" and found it to be a gem of a movie.The movie was profound and moving as well as powerful and beautiful. It made me think and reflect upon my life.The script with very little dialogue had an interesting story.

The performances of the actors were GREAT! Even the dog,Kala, performed well.

The scenery is awe-inspiring jawbreakingly beautiful. The location(Himalayas) is just spectacularly breathtaking.

Beautiful cinematography! I also enjoyed the soundtrack!

Tashi's wife finale--final monologue was absolutely brilliant. It will stay with me for a long time.

Bravo Nalin Pan!--hope to see more of your work!

"Samsara" is an extraordinary film--as well as an appreciation of what we have!

Vicky Parisella

{16 votes}

August 19, 2004

This is what I call a Movie

This is what I call a movie. It has a story, educational, it's realistic, leaves you pondering and enriches your life. I also happened to visit Ladakh in 1987, its where real people live.

Jervis Fernandes

May 16, 2007

A beautifl slow one

I must say it's a beautiful movie, full of breathtaking landscape, lots of difference between what you think and what it is in reality.

While also, it's a very very slow movie, life is slow there, slow to the point that you start to wonder this is just a movie or a documentary.

But odd is everywhere in the theatre seemed to be really concentrating on this movie. :)

Fang Wang

September 1, 2004

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