Salamander
09-06-2004, 07:19 PM
Madman/AV Channel
Samsara (Madman/AV Channel, Rental)
Released: Out Now
Rating: MA 15+
RRP: $27.95
DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:
• Audio: Ladakhi/Tibetian Dolby 5.1, Ladakhi/Tibetian Dolby 2.0 Stereo
• Subtitles: English
• Aspect: 2.35:1 Widescreen, 16:9 enhanced
• Pan Nalin Interview
• Behind The Scenes
• Gallery
• Why Are We Silent TVC
• Pan Nalin Biography
• Cast Biographies
• Production Notes
• Theatrical Trailer (2.16 min)
• Madman Propaganda Bonus Trailers: Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) (1.56 min); The Piano Teacher (2.26 min); Yi Yi (1.50 min); Spirited Away (2.17 min)
• Running Time: 139.30 minutes
• Region: 0
CAST:
Shawn Ku, Christy Chung, Neelesha BaVora, Lhakpa Tsering, Tenzin Tashi, Jamayang Jinpa, Sherab Sangey, Kelsang Tashi, Tsepak Tsangpo
DIRECTED BY: Pan Nalin.
FROM THE BACK COVER:
A spiritual love story set in the majestic landscape of Ladakh, in the Himalayas, Samsara is a quest; one man’s struggle to find spiritual enlightenment.
A caravan of Lamas journey across the mountains, on a mission to return a brilliant young monk named Tashi (Shawn Ku) to his ancient monastery, after three years of solitary meditation.
Brought out of a deep trance, Tashi unexpectedly experiences a profound sexual awakening, and falls in love with Pema (Christy Chung), a beautiful young woman. Tashi, questioning the spiritual values of his monastic existence marries Pema – quitting the monastery, for the promise of Samsara, the world.
Together they discover the bliss of sexual union and the joys – and sorrows – of possession. But Tashi is unprepared for other aspects of everyday life and he realises that life in Samsara is far more complex than he ever imagined. But his destiny turns, twists and comes to a surprise ending.
THE MOVIE:
Notable for its unusual and erotically charged sex scenes, this movie explores the subject of succumbing to the mortal desires of living in the Samsaric world, with luscious exotic background scenery and great ambience and eye candy. Christy Chung is not averse to shedding her clothes when the scene demands it, and she pulls it off with much aplomb, more sensual, erotic and intense, compared to her following mediocre performance in Jan Dara (2001). In Samsara, she plays the role of lover and wife to the monk Tashi, who sacrifices his monastic existence to pursue a secular, albeit temporary, life with her.
AUDIO / VISUAL:
Audio:
The actors speak the Tibetan/Ladakhi language that is native of the country in the film. There is excellent sound separation in both the 5.1 and 2.0 stereo mixes. The powerful soundtrack by Cyril Morin is altogether enveloping and entrancing, effectively creating the right ambience to not only support but to elevate the film immeasurably beyond the visuals. It is a good example of how music can work to enhance a picture.
Video:
Picture enhancement artefacts such as edge halos are there if one looks for them. Occasional coloured specks, streaks and marks mar an otherwise excellent transfer. The layer change occurs during a scene with movement and water splashing. Removable english subtitles are provided in large, readable yellow font.
EXTRA FEATURES:
Pan Nalin Interview-
In this featurette (15.14 min) the director describes the film’s themes, story concept and subject matter, and the challenges in the shooting and cinematography and working with the crew and cast. He explains the meaning of the word Samsara, and the kind of Buddhism in Ladakh. Very insightful. Presented in 1.33:1 aspect.
Behind The Scenes clips-
The clips are presented in 1.33:1 aspect ratio.
• The Little Joker (2.54 min)
• The Wedding Preparations (2.43 min)
• The Art Department (2.43 min)
• Kala The Dog (2.38 min)
• The Costumes (2.45 min)
Behind The Scenes featurette-
The featurette (13.07 min) is a series of behind-the-scenes clips. Presented in 1.33:1 aspect.
“Why are we silent” TV commercial (1.01 min)
The Amnesty TV commercial features celebrities Richard Gere, Sting Alanis Morrisett, Harrison Ford, Goldie Hawn, Julia Roberts speaking about the human rights of the Tibetian people. Presented in 1.33:1 aspect. It has absolutely nothing to do with the movie, though.
Soundtrack-
Recording Sessions of the Sufia Orchestra-
This section features two behind-the-scenes clips of the recording sessions for the soundtrack.
• Pema’s Theme (2.16 min)
• Hala’s Theme (4.13 min)
Dolby Digital Tracks-
• Pema’s Theme
• Fire
Theatrical Trailer-
This is a non-anamorphic widescreen trailer that runs for 2.16 minutes, against the evocative strings of Pema’s Theme.
Gallery-
36 stills of artwork from the movie
Press Kit-
• The Director Pan Nalin
• Ladakh
• Production Notes
• Cast Bios - Shawn Ku, Christy Chung, Neelesha BaVora, Lhakpa Tsering, Jamayang Jinpa, Kelsang Tashi, Sherab Sangey
OVERALL:
Great visuals and sound, a wholly engrossing movie (soft core erotica), and excellent supplements round out a great DVD.
Rating out of 5
VIDEO QUALITY 3
AUDIO QUALITY 4
EXTRAS 4
THE MOVIE 4
OVERALL 3.75
Samsara (Madman/AV Channel, Rental)
Released: Out Now
Rating: MA 15+
RRP: $27.95
DISC FEATURES AND SPECS:
• Audio: Ladakhi/Tibetian Dolby 5.1, Ladakhi/Tibetian Dolby 2.0 Stereo
• Subtitles: English
• Aspect: 2.35:1 Widescreen, 16:9 enhanced
• Pan Nalin Interview
• Behind The Scenes
• Gallery
• Why Are We Silent TVC
• Pan Nalin Biography
• Cast Biographies
• Production Notes
• Theatrical Trailer (2.16 min)
• Madman Propaganda Bonus Trailers: Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) (1.56 min); The Piano Teacher (2.26 min); Yi Yi (1.50 min); Spirited Away (2.17 min)
• Running Time: 139.30 minutes
• Region: 0
CAST:
Shawn Ku, Christy Chung, Neelesha BaVora, Lhakpa Tsering, Tenzin Tashi, Jamayang Jinpa, Sherab Sangey, Kelsang Tashi, Tsepak Tsangpo
DIRECTED BY: Pan Nalin.
FROM THE BACK COVER:
A spiritual love story set in the majestic landscape of Ladakh, in the Himalayas, Samsara is a quest; one man’s struggle to find spiritual enlightenment.
A caravan of Lamas journey across the mountains, on a mission to return a brilliant young monk named Tashi (Shawn Ku) to his ancient monastery, after three years of solitary meditation.
Brought out of a deep trance, Tashi unexpectedly experiences a profound sexual awakening, and falls in love with Pema (Christy Chung), a beautiful young woman. Tashi, questioning the spiritual values of his monastic existence marries Pema – quitting the monastery, for the promise of Samsara, the world.
Together they discover the bliss of sexual union and the joys – and sorrows – of possession. But Tashi is unprepared for other aspects of everyday life and he realises that life in Samsara is far more complex than he ever imagined. But his destiny turns, twists and comes to a surprise ending.
THE MOVIE:
Notable for its unusual and erotically charged sex scenes, this movie explores the subject of succumbing to the mortal desires of living in the Samsaric world, with luscious exotic background scenery and great ambience and eye candy. Christy Chung is not averse to shedding her clothes when the scene demands it, and she pulls it off with much aplomb, more sensual, erotic and intense, compared to her following mediocre performance in Jan Dara (2001). In Samsara, she plays the role of lover and wife to the monk Tashi, who sacrifices his monastic existence to pursue a secular, albeit temporary, life with her.
AUDIO / VISUAL:
Audio:
The actors speak the Tibetan/Ladakhi language that is native of the country in the film. There is excellent sound separation in both the 5.1 and 2.0 stereo mixes. The powerful soundtrack by Cyril Morin is altogether enveloping and entrancing, effectively creating the right ambience to not only support but to elevate the film immeasurably beyond the visuals. It is a good example of how music can work to enhance a picture.
Video:
Picture enhancement artefacts such as edge halos are there if one looks for them. Occasional coloured specks, streaks and marks mar an otherwise excellent transfer. The layer change occurs during a scene with movement and water splashing. Removable english subtitles are provided in large, readable yellow font.
EXTRA FEATURES:
Pan Nalin Interview-
In this featurette (15.14 min) the director describes the film’s themes, story concept and subject matter, and the challenges in the shooting and cinematography and working with the crew and cast. He explains the meaning of the word Samsara, and the kind of Buddhism in Ladakh. Very insightful. Presented in 1.33:1 aspect.
Behind The Scenes clips-
The clips are presented in 1.33:1 aspect ratio.
• The Little Joker (2.54 min)
• The Wedding Preparations (2.43 min)
• The Art Department (2.43 min)
• Kala The Dog (2.38 min)
• The Costumes (2.45 min)
Behind The Scenes featurette-
The featurette (13.07 min) is a series of behind-the-scenes clips. Presented in 1.33:1 aspect.
“Why are we silent” TV commercial (1.01 min)
The Amnesty TV commercial features celebrities Richard Gere, Sting Alanis Morrisett, Harrison Ford, Goldie Hawn, Julia Roberts speaking about the human rights of the Tibetian people. Presented in 1.33:1 aspect. It has absolutely nothing to do with the movie, though.
Soundtrack-
Recording Sessions of the Sufia Orchestra-
This section features two behind-the-scenes clips of the recording sessions for the soundtrack.
• Pema’s Theme (2.16 min)
• Hala’s Theme (4.13 min)
Dolby Digital Tracks-
• Pema’s Theme
• Fire
Theatrical Trailer-
This is a non-anamorphic widescreen trailer that runs for 2.16 minutes, against the evocative strings of Pema’s Theme.
Gallery-
36 stills of artwork from the movie
Press Kit-
• The Director Pan Nalin
• Ladakh
• Production Notes
• Cast Bios - Shawn Ku, Christy Chung, Neelesha BaVora, Lhakpa Tsering, Jamayang Jinpa, Kelsang Tashi, Sherab Sangey
OVERALL:
Great visuals and sound, a wholly engrossing movie (soft core erotica), and excellent supplements round out a great DVD.
Rating out of 5
VIDEO QUALITY 3
AUDIO QUALITY 4
EXTRAS 4
THE MOVIE 4
OVERALL 3.75