Samsara (Ron Fricke)

[Sad Max]

No, they specifically and clearly indicated that the crew who went in were largely non-Muslim, and a condition of their being permitted to visit and film was their conversion to Islam. It was a perfectly clear statement. Now, they said that it was also clear to them that no one (apparently including the Saudis involved) saw it as much more than a formality, which is surprising considering that Saudi Arabia is a religiously conservative country and that the dominant form of the religion there is quite strict (not to mention the traditional Islamic stance against apostasy...)

Now, if you believe that for some reason they made the story up - well, I fail to see what advantage that grants them, but of course you're free to believe it if you want.

[Fahad]

No, they specifically and clearly indicated that the crew who went in were largely non-Muslim, and a condition of their being permitted to visit and film was their conversion to Islam. It was a perfectly clear statement. Now, they said that it was also clear to them that no one (apparently including the Saudis involved) saw it as much more than a formality, which is surprising considering that Saudi Arabia is a religiously conservative country and that the dominant form of the religion there is quite strict (not to mention the traditional Islamic stance against apostasy...)

Now, if you believe that for some reason they made the story up - well, I fail to see what advantage that grants them, but of course you're free to believe it if you want.

i don't know man. it might be true. still, hard to believe.

[refocusedmedia]

Full teaser. This was shot entirely on 70mm film

[Egg Born Son]

Awesome. Baraka is firmly in my top ten and blew me away when I first saw it. I was prompted to seek out the -qatsi films after seeing it but it was always Baraka. Some of those images are burned into my brain starting with the macaque bathing in the hot springs. When it closes it eyes, how could anyone doubt our origins? Some of the mystery has been removed over the years as the images and annual events depicted have become known to me. At the time I first saw it in 1995 there were very few images I had been previously exposed to. Every frame was pure magic on that first (accidental) viewing and I have never felt so connected to this planet and the big picture of existence before or since. My own physical existence was suspended for the duration and my entire being inhabited the metaphysical experience. That is what a movie should do. I am very tempted to fly 3500km to see this in 70mm in Melbourne or Sydney when it comes out.

[Bruce Watson]

I'd love to see this in a theater. But all my local theaters are clinging to film distribution and trying desperately to avoid the inevitable transition to digital. And it looks like this will be digital distribution only. Anyone know if there will be film distribution in the USA?

[Nektonic]

I downloaded both Samsara trailers from iTunes, in 1080p. Simply glorious.