Samsara (2001)

Director:

Pan Nalin

Writers:

Pan Nalin (story) and
Pan Nalin (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 April 2002 (France)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

What is more important: satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one...

Plot:

A spiritual love-story set in the majestic landscape of Ladakh, Himalayas. Samsara is a quest; one man's...

Plot Keywords:

Himalayas | Infidelity | Fire | Love | Buddhist

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Shawn Ku	...	Tashi
Christy Chung	...	Pema
Neelesha BaVora	...	Sujata
Lhakpa Tsering	...	Dawa
Tenzin Tashi	...	Karma
Jamayang Jinpa	...	Sonam
Sherab Sangey	...	Apo
Kelsang Tashi	...	Jamayang
Tsepak Tsangpo	...	Chen Tulku
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jampa Kalsang Tamang	...	Wedding Singer

Also Known As:

Samsara (France) (Italy)
Samsara - Geist und Leidenschaft (Germany) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality and some nudity.

Runtime:

Germany:145 min | USA:138 min | Argentina:138 min

Country:

Italy | France | India | Germany

Language:

Tibetan | Ladakhi

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

India:A | Iceland:L | Argentina:16 | Singapore:R21 | South Korea:18 | Australia:MA | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:III | Netherlands:12 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Company:

Fandango

Goofs:

Factual errors: Tashi blows up a stick of wood he is using to light butterlamps. Tibetan people don't blow on flames, since this is regarded as damaging to your health.

Quotes:

Apo: [his last letter to Tashi] I realize now that my task is not over, and so I will be returning to Samsara. I know that we shall meet again. Perhaps when we do you will be able to tell me what is more important: satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Ricordati di me (2003)

Soundtrack:

Bumblebee

Tibetan Aesthetic. Sensual Women. Sex vs Monkhood

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.