Samsara (2011 film)
| Samsara | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ron Fricke |
| Written by | Ron Fricke Mark Magidson |
| Produced by | Mark Magidson |
| Cinematography | Ron Fricke |
| Edited by | Ron Fricke Mark Magidson |
| Music by | Michael Stearns Lisa Gerrard Marcello de Francisci |
Production company | Magidson Films |
| Distributed by | Oscilloscope Laboratories[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | Template:FilmUS |
Samsara is a non-narrative film created by filmmakers Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson. It is described as a sequel or continuation of the highly acclaimed 1992 film Baraka, which was also directed by Ron Fricke and produced by Mark Magidson. The word Saṃsāra is a Sanskrit word that means world or "cyclic existence", but is used often to describe worldly activities, and in the words of Fricke, the film "will delve deeper into my favorite theme: humanity's relationship to the eternal."[2] As with Baraka, this new film was shot in 70 mm film using the Panavision System 65,[3][4] and uses music to help propel the film forward.[5]
Samsara premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2011[6] shown in 4K resolution digital projection. No 70mm prints have been planned.[7]
Content summary
The director proposed an outline for the two-hour film:[2]
- Prologue: Creation.
Moving from a view which encompasses an atom, the views will expand in scale, until a sand painting is shown. Using the painting as a kind of portal, the viewer will be introduced to four ancestor spirit guides. - Act 1: Spirit taking form.
This section will focus on an amorphous spirit, seeking expression. At the end of the segment, that spirit will come into form as a newborn baby. - Act 2: Matter, one turn of the wheel.
This section expands on the single birth of Act I, and explores the global cycle of birth to death, represented by the ancestor spirits of the prologue. - Act 3: Samsara, the wheel of life.
The focus of this section is the journey of the spirit after death, and the impermanence of the material world. Abandon, decay, and death will be the primary themes. - Epilogue: Rebirth.
The view will go back through the sand painting of the prologue, which will be reassembled, and the portal will be sealed.
Locations
The film was shot in about 100 locations in 25 countries, and took four years to make.[8] As of April 2012, the official website lists only nine locations (with more to be revealed later): China, Myanmar (Burma), India, Japan, Turkey, Ethiopia, France, United States and Brazil[9]
Music
The film's music was composed by Michael Stearns, Lisa Gerrard, and Marcello De Francisci.
References
- ^ Chicago Tribune, March 14, 2012[1]
- ^ a b "Samsara: a film by Ron Fricke, the sequel to Baraka". Retrieved 2007-02-17.
- ^ ""Samsara" – in Panavision Super 70 / System 65". In70mm.com. 2008-04-26. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
- ^ ""Samsara" to Premiere in Canada, September 11, 2011". In70mm.com. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
- ^ Magidson, M (2008-04-26). "Samsara – in Panavision System 65". in70mm.com. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ "2011 Films: Samsara". Toronto International Film Festival. August 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ^ Darren (2011-10-04). "Samsara to Premier in Toronto in September 2011". Spirit of Baraka. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
- ^ "Filming Locations | The official site for Baraka and Samsara". Barakasamsara.com. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
- ^ "Filming Locations | The official site for Baraka and Samsara". Barakasamsara.com. Retrieved 2012-04-01.
External links
 | This article about a documentary film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |