This is a strange film with a strange history. Originally released in 1972 on the Venice Film Festival where it was awarded a Silver Bear, it seemingly never got into wider circulation. 25 years later Siddharta had its German premiere. Rooks tels that the son of Hermann Hesse gave him the right to make this film. Other rumors say that the copyright owner of Hesse's books prevented further circulation. Now it is after all available on DVD, so that it is no longer a hot insider tip.
Hesse's book is not about Gautama Siddharta, but about an ascetic who constantly is looking for the way to enlightenment and illumination. It is said that this book is a successful (and faithful!) adaptation of Indian concepts for Western listeners. However, the book is not really for the un-initiated, neither is the film. Sanskrit notions are freely used without any explanation. Not every viewer might know what samana, samsara and similar concepts are.
As far as I can see, the film follows the book faithfully. This has also been confirmed by Hesse devotees. If a secular viewer wants to follow this spiritual quest, is a matter of debate, but everybody can enjoy the almost voluptuous beauty of this film. Rooks - assisted by Sven Nykvist as director of photography composes tableaux of great beauty. The musi to this film is very beautiful (sitar and flute). A translation of the songs is very desirable. Unfortunately (unforgivably!) the album was never released.
Siddharta is a beautiful film. Is it also a good film? I think it would have enhanced the experience, if Rooks had made an autonomous and not only an adaptation of a book.
It stands as pastime occupation of someone who didn't have to live by his art, so the movie as it is now, is probably exactly as Rooks wanted it.
5/10
Hesse's book is not about Gautama Siddharta, but about an ascetic who constantly is looking for the way to enlightenment and illumination. It is said that this book is a successful (and faithful!) adaptation of Indian concepts for Western listeners. However, the book is not really for the un-initiated, neither is the film. Sanskrit notions are freely used without any explanation. Not every viewer might know what samana, samsara and similar concepts are.
As far as I can see, the film follows the book faithfully. This has also been confirmed by Hesse devotees. If a secular viewer wants to follow this spiritual quest, is a matter of debate, but everybody can enjoy the almost voluptuous beauty of this film. Rooks - assisted by Sven Nykvist as director of photography composes tableaux of great beauty. The musi to this film is very beautiful (sitar and flute). A translation of the songs is very desirable. Unfortunately (unforgivably!) the album was never released.
Siddharta is a beautiful film. Is it also a good film? I think it would have enhanced the experience, if Rooks had made an autonomous and not only an adaptation of a book.
It stands as pastime occupation of someone who didn't have to live by his art, so the movie as it is now, is probably exactly as Rooks wanted it.
5/10
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| This made Indian censors of 1972 very excited! |
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