Samsara

Five years, 25 countries on five continents. That’s the time/distance line it took for writer/director Ron Fricke to set the stage for this hypnotically beautiful ‘guided meditation’ movie, the first film to be shot in 70 mm since Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet (1996). What’s the story about? Good question. Trying to find a storyline to follow watching Samsara is not easy; heck, it may not even be possible. Maybe it’s better to say that it would be impossible to find any two people who agree on what the movie is about, and that’s a good thing. Combining stunning visual imagery and otherworldly music, Fricke weaves a hypnotic spell over the viewer that alternates between beautiful and shocking with dreamlike ease. Shots of Balinese dancers are, of course, gorgeous to look at, but when you find yourself saying the same for shots taken inside a dairy farm during the morning milking, you’ll know you have fallen under Samsara’s spell. Once you’ve seen it a few times (once is not enough) take the time to explore the excellent extras for a deeper understanding of what the people who made it think the movie  is all about. Then watch it again.