Samsara
A sweeping wordless journey across human ritual, technological power, ecological damage, and the planet’s remaining wonders.
Overview
A breathtaking journey across the globe, revealing the interconnectedness of life and the beauty of our world.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- contemplative
- awe-inspiring
- meditative
- reflective evening
- immersive viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly agree that the film’s exceptionally beautiful and technically accomplished images create a powerful spiritual experience, even when its message feels heavy-handed or its visual connections seem obvious.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film links sacred grounds, industrial complexes, disaster zones, cities, bodies, and natural wonders through carefully arranged visual sequences.
Footage gathered across twenty-five countries and five continents moves between diverse human environments and shared patterns of modern life.
The production was shot on seventy-millimetre film, giving sacred sites, skylines, natural wonders, and industrial scenes exceptional visual scale.
The film relies on imagery and montage across sacred, natural, technological, and damaged environments instead of dialogue-driven exposition.
Films like Samsara, and why
Baraka
global visual essay, nonverbal observation, spiritual reflection, and monumental 70mm imagery
Koyaanisqatsi
experimental documentary montage connecting human activity, technology, industry, and planetary systems without conventional narration
Man with a Movie Camera
rhythmic intellectual montage, international locations, and a formally ambitious portrait of modern life
Planet Earth
awe-inspiring nature and human-world imagery presented as a contemplative visual journey
Movie Details
- Director
- Ron Fricke
- Release Date
- 2011-09-16
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 8.1 / 10 (711)
Cast
- 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
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Samsara about?
- A sweeping wordless journey across human ritual, technological power, ecological damage, and the planet’s remaining wonders.
- What is Samsara like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Samsara as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Samsara violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Samsara as mild.
- What did critics think of Samsara?
- Critics broadly agree that the film’s exceptionally beautiful and technically accomplished images create a powerful spiritual experience, even when its message feels heavy-handed or its visual connections seem obvious.
- Which films are like Samsara?
- Films with a similar feel include Baraka, Koyaanisqatsi, Man with a Movie Camera, and Planet Earth.
- How long is Samsara?
- Samsara runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Samsara?
- In United States, Samsara is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store.
