Samsara

2024 [XX]

Drama / Music

3
IMDb Rating 7.1/10 10 81 81

dance orchestra black and white silent film balinese culture maestro

Director

Garin Nugroho Photo
Garin Nugroho

Top cast

Alit Aryani Willems Photo
Alit Aryani Willems as Balian
Ketut Arini Photo
Ketut Arini as House Keeper
Cok Sawitri Photo
Cok Sawitri as Darta's Friend
Tara Anindya Butterly Photo
Tara Anindya Butterly as Little Sinta
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
781.08 MB
1050*720
Indonesian 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  id  
24 fps
1 hr 25 min
Seeds 9
1.57 GB
1434*984
Indonesian 5.1
NR
Subtitles us  id  
24 fps
1 hr 25 min
Seeds 23

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by D_RIVIEW 9 / 10

I wish I could watch this in the cinema?

Samsara presents itself as a film with a highly experimental concept. It explores several themes, such as love, greed, fate, excessive ambition, and consequences. At a time when Indonesian films are largely dominated by formulaic works, but Garin Nugroho delivers a conceptually bold film, and it's a silent film. Here, we are presented with a story that is essentially simple, yet wrapped in Balinese cultural symbolism that makes it unique, increasingly engaging, and layered. In terms of drama, personally, it may not be the type that is overtly emotional, but it still feels deeply resonant. The characterization is fairly unique, with backgrounds that are intriguing to explore further. The pacing may not suit everyone, but it works well enough to keep us continuously focused on the film. Visually, it is absolutely top notch, with distinctive camera angles and staging that truly deserve so much appreciation. Each scene feels long, yet never dragging, instead, it genuinely showcases the artistry in greater detail. The technical effects strongly enhance the mystical and magical atmosphere. The production design is crafted not only to be aesthetically pleasing but also authentic to the Balinese setting of the 1930s. The score plays a crucial role, blending beautifully listenable traditional music with electronic elements that support the emotional moments, without ever diminishing the presence of the traditional melodies. We can read the performances purely through facial expressions and gestures, and they are executed remarkably well. Overall, this may not be a film for everyone, but it is nonetheless a must-watch.I give this 9.1/10.
Reviewed by bafreux 7 / 10

Visually Powerful, Mythically Simplified

Samsara, directed by Garin Nugroho, is a strikingly bold aesthetic achievement. Shot in black and white and presented as a silent film, it relies on gesture, composition, and atmosphere rather than dialogue. The theatrical staging feels deliberate and sculptural, almost like watching moving temple reliefs or wayang-inspired performance. Visually, the film is disciplined, elegant, and often mesmerizing.The music stands out as well. The fusion of experimental electronic textures with traditional gamelan elements creates a powerful and immersive soundscape. Whether one fully embraces the blend or not, it is undeniably daring and thoughtfully constructed.The silent format is one of the film's strongest choices. It sharpens attention toward body language and spatial tension, allowing expression and movement to carry emotional weight. In purely cinematic terms, the film succeeds impressively.However, narratively it is less satisfying. Compared to Nugroho's earlier Opera Jawa, which could feel too complex for viewers unfamiliar with Javanese mythology, Samsara leans toward over-clarity. Textual framing elements guide interpretation so directly that mystery and surprise are reduced. The myth becomes more moral tale than lived cosmology.While rooted in Indonesian traditions that are philosophically non-dual and layered, the dramatic arc feels more binary than the source cosmology suggests. Moments of symbolic nuance are present, but the overall structure simplifies what could have been more metaphysically ambiguous.The appearance of Semar - a central spiritual figure in Javanese thought - is visually intriguing, yet his deeper significance is left largely unexplored. For international audiences especially, this may feel like a missed opportunity for greater philosophical depth.As visual art, Samsara is impressive and original. As mythic storytelling, it feels more controlled and didactic than mystical.A beautiful and daring film - though one that resonates more through its form than its metaphysics.Visually 8,5 Music 8 Narratively 5-6.
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