Samsara
I came out of this film feeling great. It radiates peace and love even though the story itself has hardships and misunderstandings. The story of a Tibetan lama who discovers earthly pleasures 
and leaves monkhood to live among the people take a wife and have a child and then find himself yearning to return to the peace of the monastery and perhaps the tests there that are rigorous but more predictable. 
The dilemma is an interesting one and not a million miles from the one in The devil wears Prada. But the crew is different. Director Pan Nalin is Indian and has made this film to be faithful to much of the teachings of Buddha – the story itself has many similarities to Siddharta and the use of Ladakh in the Himalayas as the setting is great. Shawn Ku, a professional dancer is a good choice as Tashi,
Christy Chung is a little Westernised as Pema 
but carries off her big scenes well, Neelesha BaVora does a nice job as Sujata the visiting nomad worker and temptation 
and Sherab Sangey as Apo the older monk is fine among a good local cast. Scenes in the local town also remind us that although it seems like a timeless story and setting – there is a close link to today. It is just that some people live a simple frugal lifestyle as they have traditionally done. 
So, an intelligent attractive film which may be slow moving again and yet is full of things to enjoy.
Read the rest of this entry ... (3 words left)
