Samsara (2001)

This film is about a Buddhist monk who decided to give up his monastery life and marry a woman to satisfy his sexual desires. The film was shot in northern India. The scenery, buildings, culture and the people were so similar to Tibet, that many viewers wondered if the film was really shot in India.

I watched this film in the Hong Kong International Film Festival. The film director Mr Pan Nalin and the leading actress, Miss Christy Chung were present to let the spectators to ask questions or to raise some comments about this film. I thought it was a very good idea, and during the Q&A session there were so many people asking sensible and thought provoking questions that made the whole film watching experience almost a spiritual experience.

The way that the story unfolded was very well planned too. In the beginning the film posed a question: "How to prevent a drop of water from ever drying up?". In the end, the monk faced a dilemma of whether to go back to his monastery or to go back to his wife. Either way he would have to betray the other party. Therefore he seeked an answer from this riddle. The answer was "Throw the drop of water into the ocean". For me, I think that this means that the monk needs to go back to the religion, and leave his wife and children behind. This is because, to prevent himself from being lost and confused, he should go back to where he belong. Obviously, this is my interpretation of the film, and it may not necessarily be right.

The film was entirely in Tibetan. I think this is such an achievement to make a film in Tibetan! This made the film so authentic, as if it is a documentary about a monk. In addition, the scenery was so beautiful in the film. I have always loved the mountain landscape, and this film provided many mountains for me to admire. Another point I like about this film is that, it didn't have a lot of conversation, but the story and the emotion can be clearly communicated to the spectators.

This film is powerful and beautiful. It is also spiritual, unlike a commercial film which aims to make money. It provokes people to think, and to reflect upon their own life. However, if you do not like Tibet or understand about Buddhism, then this film may be boring.

Fmovies: This was an excellent movie with beautiful cinematography. Full credit is due to everyone involved. A true to life person, even if he is a monk -- a follower of god, has hidden desires. He seeks the love, the true experience of 'samsara' and so, he follows his heart...

I am not a festival buff, to kill the scorching heat I walked into Imax Multiplexes in Mumbai, discovered that there is a festival going on. I read about all the films programmed -one appealed to me the most was SAMSARA. Great luck, show was on in an hour. When I came out of the hall, my heart and mind were blown. I know nothing about this film and where it came from but wow what a discovery! I surfed net to find out more. Second shock came soon after when I discovered that it is made by an Indian Filmmaker based in Paris (and in India). Pan Nalin, never ever heard about him? My mind started wondering we talk about our Blacks and Devadas and Parineeta's and Pahelis -but what about this masterpiece? Isn't it pity that such films were distributed worldwide, millions saw it but no release in India? Is Mr. Ghai, Mr. Chopra are you listening? Indian medias wake up, Samsara is a sign! Here is a film and a director which India should be proud of!

The film is truly an eye opener what India can do to play a vital role in international cinema. So many loud talks about crossovers and here is a whisper called Samsara and that is truly a crossover. I will eagerly wait for Pan Nalin's other films: Ayurveda:Art of Being, Valley of Flowers...

Samsara fmovies. I was directed to this film after reading a review of "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring Again", directed by Ki Duk Kim which is highly recommended as well.

The love scenes in Samsara are gorgeous to behold and the female love/sex interests are very seductive. Monk Tashi is very well portrayed as so human and fallible as he leaves the monastery to pursue sex or worldly life. He was raised in the monastery so as his sexuality awakened he had to find out for himself. He rationalized that even Buddha was married before he was enlightened and so Tashi felt he should be able to know this too before he devoted himself to monkhood. Little does he know what is in store for this desire he has to experience...

The tale is more of the excursion of a Monk and his experience of marriage, sex and emotions that arise than of his enlightenment. He found out what he had to know and paid the price. The film is lush with Tibetan style dress, architecture and landscapes. The love scenes are a treat for the eyes and the lead actors are very convincing yet more subtle than raw.

Check out "Kundun" and "Razor's Edge"(Bill Murray)and "Master of Zen" as well if you are interested in drama as well as spirituality.

'Samsara' tells the story of Tashi, a young Tibetan Buddhist monk, who renounces monastic life in favour of a relationship with a beautiful young woman named Pema. Together they have a child and as the story unfolds Tashi's life in the material world becomes increasingly complex and difficult.

The movie successfully captures the difference between the contemplative life of a Buddhist monk, and the worldly life of a husband. This is most clearly shown in the stark contrast between the opening sequence of the movie, where Tashi is in a long meditation retreat, and the sensual sex scenes later on.

The majestic landscapes of Ladakh, one of India's most remote regions, provide a pristine Himalayan backdrop. And the original soundtrack and chanting is haunting at times.

The movie has English sub-titles and moves along quite slowly with limited dialogue and many pregnant pauses. This may be disconcerting for some viewers, but to me this reflective mood seemed appropriate for the subject-matter.

'Samsara' could be said to build on the groundwork provided by popular movies such as 'Seven Years in Tibet' and 'Kundun', to provide a more authentic and detailed portrayal of the vicissitudes of life and culture in central Asia. (If you enjoy 'Samsara' you may also like 'The Cup'.) This award-winning movie can only enhance a growing interest in Tibetan Buddhism in the West.

Very rarely one can find such a well balanced movie with a full commitment from the whole staff: Director (Nalin Pan), all the Actors & the total Crew. Shooting a film like this is not an easy task. The beauty of the locations is just breathless (at several thousands miles of altitude!)... And if the hall has a good air conditioning system, for sure you will really feel the freezing winds that blows at the Himalayas by watching this outstanding film. It is not only the performance of the actors (animals included!... a smart dog called Kala -"Time" in Sanskrit- by instance or some impressive eagle!) but the quality of the script. There are some passages of the film that just tastes like a short documentary. And immediately it is softly engaged with the story. No matter how high could be your achievement, if it is not on balance with the Life Flow, you will face the even... unavoidably? Perhaps... Tashi (Shawn Ku)is a consecrated Lama that has been in the yoghi experience of Samadhi Meditation (Fullest Consciousness) during three years, three months, three weeks, three days... A little bit to much for his Master's criteria but the Disciple wanted to test himself till the very limits of his own potential. Recognized as a Khenpo (a title of tibetan scholastic mastery), some further and higher Initiation will be bestowed on him by the Highest Rimpocheh nearby. However, there is some other experience he has never faced till then: the awakening of his own sexuality and the relationship with the key of human gender, the woman! Therefore this new step will be postponed and replaced by his own decision's sake. As a layman, the Lama he used to be is almost gone. As a husband, he shows the main aspect of any other man of his condition. As a father, he forgets to be the one closest to his own child and... once more: he ran away. Finally, Tashi has to face the reality of Maya & Samsara, the value of the Teachings inside the Dharma from his Master and the higher spiritual level of his wife, the beautiful & convincing Pema (Christy Chung). After listening to her, there are very few subsisting doubts concerning the equal rights for both women & men to obtain the Buddhahood. This is the kind of movie one can see and watch time after time, just to check oneself's evolving... And to enjoy a very nice soundtrack with the exotic melodies of the dialogues in Tibetan Languages. Please, don't loose it!!