Samsara is a Sanskrit word meaning 'continuous flow', the repeating cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.
Ron Fricke, the director of the film of the same name, describes it as a nonverbal guided meditation, which is pretty accurate. The audience is treated to a veritable feast of moving images from across the world, shot in stunning 70mm, depicting life in all its breathtaking, horrifying, uplifting, agonising, occasional amusing, manifestations. There is no dialogue but there is music, from distinctly upbeat to hauntingly beautiful.
The images 'flow' into each other suggesting connections. The natural flow is generally harmonious but there are the inevitable disruptions, illustrated by some rather disturbing images.
Samsara's not a preachy film but it did make me wonder about the impact of my lifestyle on the flow of human life. A timely reminder of the value of mindfulness.
You can watch the preview here and catch the full thing at the Watershed until this Thursday.
Glad you liked it! x
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