Samsara [Blu-ray]

Summary: Samsara tries to provide closure to a trilogy over decades of work and learnings from director Ron Fricke. Unfortunately, some errors after more than a decade of waiting overshadow the director's work. This feature film, in its final product, presents no novelty and even seems to reuse some previous shots used in Chronos. Moreover, some of the locations used in his previous films are also present here. This wears the novelty, considering the excellent work done by its composers in some of these scenes.Format: Samsara was released on Blu-Ray in 2011. It could be said that at a visual level, it is even more elaborate than Baraka. Filmed in 70mm and scanned at 8k, Quality leaves nothing to envy, surpassing even its predecessor. From the analyzed extras - a very good documentary that compensates for the lack of comments from the director - it is possible to understand more the vision of the work. Fricke considers it a guided meditation work.Direction: Samsara seems on paper, as the director explains it, to have the most mature vision of his three films. A guided meditation channeled through music that complements the selected scenes frame by frame. The latter is remarkable since both Baraka and Chronos were worked in reverse, which means that photography had to fit previously composed music.It is a shame to see the director reuse shots and locations having enough material that he could have used. Another situation that is not clear in the direction goes hand in hand with the first act of the film. During the first thirty or forty minutes of the movie, it seems some scenes are disconnected from each other. We could even say, this makes it feel a little forced in its development towards the second act. Their cuts and transitions are abrupt and do not generate the same impact as the ones in the second half. The positive fact is that Fricke performs a third act that wraps it properly giving closure in a way that it leaves the viewer satisfied. The latter is learning embodied in the film because it culminates in a better way when compared to his two previous movies.At a direction level, Samsara is a film that surpasses his previous works in concept but not in execution. It's a very mature film in relation to Baraka, it offers an excellent conclusion for the viewer, but it also brings some failures that discolor its achievements.Photography: One of the highest points of this film is photography. It was filmed in multiple locations in the world and the variety between them and similarities that portrays raises a criticism of society itself that Fricke exploits greatly. To say that it is more of the same is to give less credit to the work of this director because it visually demonstrates his own evolution in a very safe environment. Thus, his portraits are more elaborate, shorter time-lapses shine away but there's no risk-taking. The transition in moments of accelerated music is the best the film presents.The first part as previously mentioned is weak and does not convey the same coherence as the rest of the film. Opposite case the third act, where the director manages to tie all the emotions transmitted in his scenes to conclude the film masterfully.Soundtrack: Samsara's soundtrack is the highest point of the film. Subtle, with beautiful transitions that do not feel abrupt to the ear, the accompaniment he makes of photography is exquisite beat by beat.Unlike the criticism carried out in Baraka, the crescendo of the composition ends in a better way and allows the viewer to be better directed to reinforce the feeling that the director has sought. The originality of the music is also very promising. By not remind the viewer of Baraka, the music stands in its own.Probably, the change in the composition strategy had an impact on this, but the truth is that whatever the reason had been, it was for good.Narrative: The director takes us on a trip that he himself calls a guided meditation. However, unlike his previous works, the criticism, the symbolism, and meanings of many of his shots are not so clear. This does not mean that the work is not profound or relevant for analysis. On the contrary, some shots alone pose strong social criticism in our current society. The problem lies here in the fact that the shots cannot be reviewed alone. They do not cohesively tie-in and certainly this is a big miss compared to their previous work.The director should not guide the viewer completely, that is true, however, at the very least he must ensure that his work cohesively conveys the vision that he shares. This is where the main flaw of this film lies. It must be analyzed on its own and by doing so, the viewer could feel disoriented or simply satisfied to see "beautiful shots" but bored. The work, I am sure, was designed for much more, but fails to be consistent throughout its 100 minutes.Uniqueness: Samsara is a beautiful return to the genre that Fricke explored decades ago, but it's just that. It is a great advance in terms of editing where the film flows more harmoniously with the soundtrack. It's a very safe formula that the director repeats but even so, the narrative escapes through the tiles of its very foundation. It is a work of art that every cinephile should observe, and of course, anyone who appreciates photography should see the Fricke trilogy. However, moving from that to saying that the work poses a sociological-philosophical critique similar to what Baraka proposed and what's been done by Reggio, or stating that its narrative complements the auditory and visual part is an achievement this film cannot receive as it is.

Terrific camera work set an amazing and beautiful locations around the world. Looks great even on a regular size TV!

Another great video by Ron Fricke

Early in the 1960s, the world film market began expandinginto American consciousness. In addition to Fellini andBergman, there was a small sub-genre masquerading as"documentary." I remember being much taken by MONDO CANE,WOMEN OF THE WORLD, and most esp. MALAMONDO (1963), asomewhat artificially constructed piece which made meaware for the first time of the jazzy, haunting music ofone Ennio MorriconeNot many films of this type followed (it was a sub-genre,after all). Fellini tried it off and on - most successfullywith FELLINI'S ROMA - his affectionate, ironic view of theEternal City he lived in. The clash of culture - "modern vs. ancient"- was never more effectively captured than in the Iron Mole sequence,where our polluted air destroyed long-buried Roman paintings.In the 80s, thanks to Godfrey Reggio and composer Philip Glass,we tumbled into the thoughtful, oft disturbing rabbit hole ofKOYAANISQATSI (Life Out of Balance), which used stunningtime-lapse images to show how the ever-increasing pace oftechnology might be carrying us to a most unwelcome place.Ron Fricke worked on this one. POWAQQATSI (Life inTransformation) carried this message/warning even further.In 1992 Ron Fricke released his own stunning BARAKA, the perfectblend of image, music and transcendental mood: a landmarkin the the slow development of the "image" documentary. NowFricke's follow-up - SAMASARA - has been released. It's a "trip"through gateways of color and beauty. It broadens the themes ofBARAKA with even more mind-blowing images, all tied togetherat beginning and end by monks constructing/destroying an ornatesand painting. (It's the "journey", you see...)Give SAMSARA a try. Disconnect your electronic whee-devices,turn out the lights, and melt into yourself as you let its incredible rainbowworld wash over you. You'll be surprised how mellow/wiseyou'll feel afterwards. Wine optional.

In 1986 I attended a screening of "Chronos" in the then new IMAX format at the NYC Museum of Natural History. A shorter film that set the stage for "Baraka" and finally "Samsara". The transition to 70mm from IMAX limitations is explained by Ron Fricke in the blu- ray bonus materials of both films. It gives you a sense of the labor involved in location scouting, preproduction, filming, editing and post production. Not to mention the ordeal of lugging a Panavision 65mm camera around the globe. The footage of all the gear in a remote airport gives you an idea the struggle the team of five doing every task together. As Ron says "We opened the plane door and there it was-Everest" on the "Baraka" bf. Also, Michael and Lisa's music was just as important to the films as Mark's production, Ron's direction and cinematography. When adding the years involved in the production of these films, it's almost a full career. Kind of like Robert Caro''s LBJ biographies! Anyway, the point being if you have any interest in film, or just want a better understanding of what you saw, check out the bonus features on both films. This team put other mortal filmmakers to shame !

There are some beautiful images in this, but there are also some truly terrible ones. Put it on hoping for a relatively relaxing experience like Baraka, but ended up turning it off without finishing it because it became so relentlessly negative/disturbing.

SAMSARA/BARAKA [2013] [2 Film Double Disc Collection] [Blu-ray] A World Beyond Worlds! Unlike Anything You Will Ever See! A Truly Special Cinematic Experience!From the creators of the award-winning film BARAKA, Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson, comes a new non-verbal masterpiece. Filmed over a five-year period in 25 countries across five continents, SAMSARA transports us via stunning Super Panavision 70 cinematography to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders. By dispensing with dialogue and descriptive text, SAMSARA subverts our expectations of a traditional documentary. It encourages our own interpretations, inspired by breath-taking images that infuse the ancient with the modern and set against a mesmerizing musical score featuring the work of Lisa Gerrard, Michael Stearns and Marcello De Francisci.BARAKA: A challenge, a warning, a gift, a blessing. In the ancient Sufi language, ‘BARAKA’ translates as ‘the thread that weaves life together’. In the pantheon of modern cinema, it remains one of the most unique and acclaimed motion picture events of our time. Shot in breath-taking 70mm in 24 countries on six continents, ‘BARAKA’ is a transcendent global tour that explores the sights and sounds of the human condition like nothing you’ve ever seen or felt before. These are the wonders of a world without words, viewed through man and nature’s own prisms of symmetry, savagery, chaos and harmony.SAMSARA Cast: Balinese Tari Legong Dancers, Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi, Puti Sri Candra Dewi, Putu Dinda Pratika, Marcos Luna, Hiroshi Ishiguro, Olivier De Sagazan, Ladyboys of Cascade Bar, Kikumaru, Crisanto Neire, Robert Henline, Tai Lihua and Collin Alfredo St. DicDirector: Ron FrickeProducer: Mark MagidsonScreenplay: Ron Fricke, Mark Magidson, Bob Green, Constantine Nicholas and Genevieve NicholasComposers: Lisa Gerrard, Marcello de Francisci and Michael StearnsCinematography: Ron FrickeVideo Resolution: 1080pAspect Ratio: 2.39:1 [Todd-AO 70mm] and 2.21:1 [Super Panavision 70]Audio: 5.1 DTS-HD Audio, 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and English: 2.0 Dolby Digital StereoSubtitles: NoneRunning Time: 102 minutes and 97 minutesRegion: Region 2/BNumber of discs: 2Studio: Arrow FilmsAndrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘SAMSARA’ is an enthralling documentary that becomes a guided meditation on the wheel of life and death. The Sanskrit word “Samsara” refers to the wheel of life, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The term also embraces journeying in Buddhism and Hinduism. Both meanings are evident in this enthralling non-narrative documentary from director Ron Fricke and producer Mark Magidson.Ron Fricke and producer Mark Magidson were the creative forces behind the extraordinary 1992 documentary ‘BARAKA,’ an unforgettable collection of snapshots from the global family album. With breath-taking cinematography and mesmerizing music, that film enabled us to see with our eyes and feel in our flesh the shared distress of Earth and humankind, so that we understood that that the healing of self and the healing of the planet are inextricably linked. Startling and beguiling images portrayed the vastness and variety of nature, city life, sacred sites, and religious rituals. We have seen Baraka many times over the years, and every viewing expands our awareness of the world and enables us to widen the circle of our compassion.The same spiritual emphases are evident in ‘SAMSARA’ which was shot over the course of five years in twenty-five countries on five continents. The filmmakers take us on a quest to a greater understanding and appreciation of the human condition and a reverence for the beauty and power of the natural world. And they help us face up to worldwide suffering, poverty, greed, violence, lust, and adoration of war and financial success. In the midst of suffering and death, we discover that there are paths to rebirth or human transformation. With great respect for all the world's religions, the filmmakers deliver lavish and visually compelling images of devotional practices and rituals of Tibetan Buddhists, Christians, Jews, and Muslims.Experiencing ‘SAMSARA,’ we are challenged to leave behind our passive and isolated role of spectators and to step into the incredible energy streams of the wheel of life. For each of us, in our own way, is caught up in the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. And our journeys are connected to those of the people on the screen: we are rich and poor, happy and sad, hurried and at peace, open to change and locked in service to authoritarian leaders, filled with lust and dutifully spinning prayer wheels, searching for security and coming to terms with impermanence. ‘SAMSARA’ shows us in no uncertain terms that the movements of creation and dissolution never stop.‘SAMSARA’ is not only a visual masterwork; it also has an incredible musical score by Michael Stearns, Lisa Gerrard, and Marcello de Francisci comprised of many different types of devotional music, religious and spiritual chants, and meditative orchestrations. With its guided meditations, its visual variety and beauty, its spiritual and religious messages, its celebration of the natural world, its critique of war and all the factors that fuel hatred and violence, and its subtle efforts to help us see our oneness with the human family and the whole of creations, ‘SAMSARA’ is in itself a profound spiritual experience. It was one of the best films released in 2012; it is a film you will treasure for all your life.With the ‘BARAKA’ film, you get a collection of expertly photographed scenes of human life, religion and especially with a montage of photographed images telling, “The story of our planet, and human interaction within it.” ‘BARAKA’ is a word from the Sufi language and means 'breath of life.' Filmed in 24 countries, including Tanzania, China, Brazil, Japan, Kuwait, Cambodia, Iran and Nepal and on all 6 continents, who via producer Mark Magidson and director Ron Fricke, show us the beauty of nature and the fate of people in unique images without dialogues. This audio-visual journey takes the viewer to the mystery of life and the spirit of nature, especially with this extraordinary non-narrative film that enables us to see with our eyes and feel in our flesh that the healing of self and the healing of the planet are inextricably linked.‘BARAKA’ is the most ambitious and astonishing film of the year and a real spellbinder! The title is taken from a Sufi word meaning "blessing" or "essence of life." With its breath-taking cinematography and mesmerizing music, Baraka delivers an unforgettable collection of snapshots from the global family album. Startling, powerful, and moving images portray the vastness and variety of nature, city life, sacred sites, rituals, and the shared distress of earth and humankind. The images are carried into our consciousness and connected to our feelings by the soul-stirring music and sound collages of composer Michael Stearns.The filmmakers have captured a compelling record of dramatic and spiritual moments as well as other scenes which give us pause to wonder about the fate of the planet and its creatures. All filmmaking techniques are used to great effect in "Baraka", from the judicious use of slow-motion to time-lapse photography that captures the beauty in nature that occurs too slowly to be appreciated by the human eye. The subtle camera movements used are elegant, adding to the mesmerizing quality of the images presented, preserving the scope of the panoramic vistas. ‘BARAKA’ has no story and no dialogue, but somehow, it manages to deliver a sensual experience that you will find unforgettable and is a celebration of the triumph and challenges of mankind.Blu-ray Video Quality – With both ‘SAMSARA’ and ‘BARAKA’ films you get a magnificent 1080p encoded perfect picture quality, with a definite reference level, with an equally impressive 2.39:1 [Todd-AO 70mm] and 2.21:1 [Super Panavision 70] aspect ratios throughout both films, so experiencing razor sharp and very detailed picture quality. It also has a balanced contrast ratio with consistently deep black value. You also experience very strong and very natural colour reproduction. Throughout both films you get beautiful dimensional images with excellent depth effects, so giving both films full-bodied emblazoned “reference quality” to give you a quality of the highest level offered beautiful real images and offers a quality that remains practically continuously on the same high level. Which helps with the fact that you have with both films and 8K scan (the world's first scan of a film in this highest current scanning method) has certainly paid off, because the Blu-ray images has a tremendous sharpness and detail variety to offer. The contrast and colour reproduction are convincingly very well balanced and natural values and with an excellent depth effects. Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.Blu-ray Audio Quality – With both ‘SAMSARA’ and ‘BARAKA’ films, you get a choice of 5.1 DTS-HD Audio and 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, which I preferred the 7.1 mix, because it gives you the sound of the highest possible sampling frequency and at its best benchmarks are achieved! It is also helped to go with the stunning images are backed only by a spherical soundscape by composer Michael Stearns and some stunning sound effects experiences. The spatial mix of music is certainly very successful in both films and especially with all five speakers is driven with great precision and clarity with a carpet of sound, in which one can experience something totally awesome! So all in all the entire audio track is incredibly spacious and enveloping. It fills the room with a broad front soundstage and quite a bit of surround activity. Subtle auditory details in the music are resolved with clarity and precision and again the music is deep and resonant, with an amazing experience all round.Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:SAMSARA Special Features:Special Feature: Behind The Scenes [2012] [1080p] [1.78:1] [49:02] Here you get to view six individual sections relating to behind-the-scenes of the concept of the globe-hopping production, the editing process, the creation of the musical score, the technical aspects of shooting in 70mm, and the filmmakers' own thoughts about ‘SAMSARA.’ The six individual items have individual title headings and they are “the Concept;” “The Production;” “The Edit;” “The Musical Journey;” “The technical Approach” and “The Filmmakers.” You can either watch each item separately or Play All. Contributors to this documentary are Ron Fricke [Director]; Mark Magidson [Producer/Editor]; Michelle Peele [Production Coordinator]; Myles Connolly [Line Production]; J.C. Eatle [Associate Producer/Assistant Camera]; Christopher Reyna [Imaging Producer/Technical Director]; Michael Stearns [Composer]; Lisa Gerrard [Composer] and Marcello De Francisci [Composer].Internet Teaser [2012] [1080p] [2.21:1] [1:01] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for ‘SAMSARA.’Theatrical Trailer [2012] [1080p] [2.21:1] [1:36] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for ‘SAMSARA.’Theatrical Trailer [1992] [1080i] [1.78:1] [2:56] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for ‘BARAKA.’ Sadly the quality is very grainy and is not in its 2.21:1 [Super Panavision 70] aspect ratio, which is a shame, as the presentation is totally awe inspiring and stunning.BARAKA Special Features:Special Feature: BARAKA: A Closer Look [2008] [1080p] [1.78:1] [76:00] This very interesting documentary about the making of 'BARAKA.' Director Ron Fricke discusses his previous work on 'Koyaanisqatsi' and 'Chronos' and explains the differences between shooting in IMAX and shooting in 70mm. Also covered are the logistics of the film's international shoot, which entailed scheduling days to film, based on the lunar cycle and how they were able to contact a number of government officials to get the permits to film, which is a standard operating procedure to get anything done in many third-world countries, but now and again they also needed to “lubricating” money to get certain permits, especially to get permission for filming in certain restricted areas. We also learn of a failed trip to Mount Everest, which ended with no usable footage being shot. We also get to view loads of behind-the-scenes of how the film was set up to shoot, also lots location film and also how the film crew reacted with the local residents in each country they filmed. All in all, pretty interesting and fascinating stuff. Contributors to this documentary are Ron Fricke [Cinematographer/Editor]; Alton Walpole [Associated Producer/Editor]; Mark Magidson [Producer]; Michael Stearns [Musical Director]; Bruce Simballa [Key Grip]; Michael Freeman [Location Coordinator]; David Aubrey [Cinematographer/Editor] and Lisa Gerrard [Chanteuse/Musical Department].Special Feature: Restoration: Behind the Process [2008] [1080p] [1.78:1] [7:04] This very short but fascinating feature that closely examines the restoration of the film ‘BARAKA,’ especially with the awe-inspiring experience of viewing the film as it was meant to be seen, and the process utilising to most closely replicate that experience in your home. Technicians at the FotoKem inform us the benefits of the 8K digital scan, which took three weeks to complete. Contributors to this short documentary are Mark Magidson [Producer]; Andrew Oran [Project Supervisor: FotoKem]; Christopher Reyna [Restoration Producer] and Rick Lopez [Large Format Digital Producer: FotoKem].Theatrical Trailer [2012] [1080p] [2.39:1] [1:02] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for ‘SAMSARA.’ It is a totally stunning presentation and especially when you get the critics saying, “Visually Breathtaking;” “Unlike Anything You Will Ever See” and “A Triumph Of The Moving Image.” Which about sums up this totally amazing thought provoking film.Finally, if you are in the hunt to show off the full potential of your Home Cinema set up, the purchasing this SAMSARA/BARAKA [2013] 2 Film Double Blu-ray Disc Collection, then this will be the perfect package for you. Because both films are totally awe inspiring, as well as totally gorgeous and very thought-provoking, especially with the guiding hand of the professional team of Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson, who also guides us to some very unsettling images of our world, but you also get some equally wonderful beautiful images on this very delicate planet of ours, that will give you a total experience with trance-inducing imagery of the natural and manmade world. It also is very thought provoking with their more meaningful, even-handed look at humanity, its triumphs and failures, its depth and variations and universality. On top of all that, SAMSARA/BARAKA might just be the most jaw-dropping high definition you will experience, and is definitely unrivalled in clarity and mind blowing colours, to give you a visually breath-taking and provides a glimpse into the world we inhabit today. Very Highly Recommended!Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film FanLe Cinema ParadisoWARE, United Kingdom

This is another Ron Fricke video and, whilst it is in similar vein to Baraka (which I love) it is considerably more disturbing in parts.As with Baraka the cinematography is superb and the countries visited are wide and varied. However the themes in the film are far darker than Baraka; some being quite disturbing. The scenes in the chicken and pork factory farms are probably enough to turn some people in to instant vegetarians.The landscape scenes are mostly beautiful but are counter balanced with scenes of extreme poverty and extreme wealth.Probably the most bizarre scene involves a man in a suit, repeatedly covering his face in grey/green clay and then apparently stabbing himself in his eyes and cutting has face. This particular sequence is extremely surreal somewhat reminiscent of Un Chien Anadlous by Salvador Dali and as equally disturbing.The music accompanying the video is good but, for my taste, not as good as that of Baraka.I'm glad that I've added it to my collection.It is worth noting that this is a double disk issue containing both normal DVD and Blu-Ray versions.Overall I enjoyed it very much with a few reservations......

If you are considering Samsara you probably roughly know what to expect in terms of cinematography: it's colorful and flawless. The film must definitely be watched on a large HD screen, with a decent sound system. Samsara doesn't have a story, Samsara doesn't have a message: it is an experience. It's a roller coaster, where puzzlement follows amazement, where disgust follows fascination, where you laugh and then fear. It's hypnotic, then flashy, then ominous. I've watched it three times and have been filled each time by slightly different streams of strong emotions. If being moved by a hectic flow of thoughts is being human, then this is what Samsara is about.When the disk arrived, I asked my kids (then 8 and 11) to have a quick look at the opening scenes. Somewhat amazingly, my noisy Disney Channel fed kids remained silently glued to their seats for the next 100 minutes or so. I can't fathom what their thoughts were, but it must have been interesting.Note: the film apparently has a 13PG rating and some scenes could be considered by some parents as inadequate for younger children. I would have hesitated if I had seen the movie alone before seeing it with them, but we all let ourselves go with the flow and no one was shocked. For example I did not explain the ultimate purpose of the wonderful dolls the factory was producing and my daughter just saw wonderful dolls being made...

In a word - stunning. The film-makers behind 'Baraka' have refined the techniques used there and bring them to full fruition here.Picture and sound quality are awesome (this is a review of the UK release by Arrow). This is why you wanted that large TV monitor and that expensive surround sound system. On a large cinema screen this must have been overwhelming.Additionally, the extras feature a series of informative interviews with the film-makers and the composers on how they made the film, which are in themselves very interesting and which add value to your understanding and appreciation of the film.

I watched these unusual films on the big screen and had own a DVD copy of BARAKA. Made the mistake of lending it to an undeserving person, he never returned it to me. This is the reason I decided to buy the box on blue ray and the sensation is absolutely breathtaking. It is one of the greatest acheivements in cinema ever. No words, just visual experience of the World diversity and wanders. Everybody should own a copy of this amazing DVD. Any words of recommendation does not give it enough credit. It is beyond words. It is unique emotional, spiritual and intellectual experience! I am extremely respectful of the makers. Genius!