Comparing and Contrasting Pina (Wim Wenders, 2011): Germany with Samsara (Ron Fricke, 2011): USA

Reviewed by Tyler Rowland.  Viewed at Santa Barbara Film Festival 2012.

Pina

Samsara

These tremendously artistic films offer an incredible blend of audible tranquility and stunning visuals.  At first glance, these two films bear little resemblance in regards to the detail, but when simplifying the two, I find that there is more than meets the eye, or even the ear for that matter.

Pina tells the story of of the world renowned dance choreographer of that same name.  Samsara refers to the Tibetan term meaning “the ever-turning wheel of life”, which vaguely sums up the film.

The film Pina had dialogue, which is needed to tell the story of the choreographer Pina.  Samsara uses no dialogue, as it is not needed to convey the message.

Pina was filmed on closed sets and stages in Germany.  Samsara was filmed at a variety of locations all over the world.

The visual interpretations work in unison with the music and these elements are is ultimately the key driving element behind any consensus.

The music in Pina holds rigorously into the development of the film.  The score for Samsara  offers a tranquility that makes it easy to forget it is heard.

Pina is all about dance that can be appreciated on a global scale.  Samsara is all about a global scale, with a small devotion to dance.

Pina shows a devoted appreciation of a single form of art.  Samsara broadly examines many forms, but is not dedicated to a particular expression.

Pina incorporates a cast of hundreds.  Samsara  utilizes a cast well into the thousands.

Both films delve into forces that drive people and shape culture by incorporating vivid cinematography and music to keep the senses heightened.

Pina is committed to telling one story.  Samsara commits itself to glancing at a collage of stories.

Pina explores the importance of dance as an expressive medium to those who embrace it.  Samsara examines the various expressions of a diverse range of cultures.

Pina evokes emotion by getting personal with a small group of people.  Samsara draws affection by generalizing many groups of people.

Pina represents a love that a small percentage of the population knows.  Samsara conjures mixed emotions that are felt by every person.

While I thoroughly enjoyed Pina, my lack of credible dance knowledge may have held back my complete understanding of Pina.

Although I have even less knowledge of many of the events in SamsaraI, my intuition leads to enjoy these rituals due to the lack of a definitive understanding.

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to view these films and I advise any and everyone to see both of these.