SIDDHARTHA

US, 1972, 94 minutes, Colour.
Shashi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Romesh Sharma, Pincho Kapoor, Zul Vellani.
Directed by Conrad Rooks.

Siddhartha is the film version of Herman Hesse's novel. India holds a fascination for searchers after the truth of man and religion. This exquisitely photographed film (by Sven Nykvist, photographer for so many of Ingmar Bergman's films) portrays the quest of the Indian everyman for inner peace. The phases of his journey: religious schools, ways of love, temptations of sensuality and idleness, service and detachment, are relevant for any age. They are presented interestingly and symbolically, especially in the role of water and the river Ganges. The treatment is rather solemn and message laden, but it works well within this framework which is what audiences and Herman Hesse's readers expect. This kind of film asks for tranquil and meditative response from its audiences.

1. What is the relevance of this film today? Its story and theme? Its meeting of the yearnings of modern audiences, especially the young?

2. How human a film was this? Its insight into the yearnings of humanity? The religious strivings of human beings?

3. How important was the impact of India on the audience? The audience's expectations of India and India's insight into religion and being human? The geography, the tranquillity, the colour of India? As emphasised by the musical score of the film? What kind of mood did this induce in the audience and open it to receptivity of the film's message?

4. How well did the audience identify with Siddhartha? Why? Was he an 'everyman' character? The typical human being in search of something? How sympathetic a person was Siddhartha? How sincere?

5. How well did the film present its structure of the journey and the quest? The goals of Siddhartha? How was Siddhartha's journey a symbol of the journey of life? what incidents and dialogue indicated this best?

6. The presentation of Siddhartha as a young man: as a typical young man's experience, his dissatisfaction with the perfection of the Brahmin? His relationship to his father? His relationship with his friend? His yearning for more and the desire to leave home? How much was this presented as part of growing up?

7. What motivated Siddhartha in his quest for something more? was this clearly brought out? His yearnings?

8. The importance of the period with the wise men? His growing his beard and following the people with their chantings etc.? What insight into humanity did this give him? To his friend Govinda? Why did this ultimately not satisfy him?

9. Why was Govinda satisfied with these people? What yearnings did they fulfil? His decision to do something by himself? The role of the Buddha, the enlightened one? The presentation of the Buddha as sacred and remote?

10. Why did Siddhartha keep on going on his quest? Was his seeing of Kamala a distraction or something important for his life? Was this part of his life a digression or an important step forward? What insight did he gain in his relationship with Kamala? The nature of love, the nature of sexuality, sensuality etc.? What kind of person was Rafaela? Was she able to teach Siddhartha? What was the result of his experience with her? His slovenliness, his eating, gambling, wasting of time and energies? How did the film pass judgement on this phase of Siddhartha's life?

11. Why was it so disgusting that he was desirous of death? The contrast of his hurling himself in the river with the film's presentation of his learning of love, gentleness etc.? How well did the film present these incidents and growth visually? (Were they too beautiful?)

12. The importance of Siddhartha's coming to life out of the river again? Why was he satisfied to work at the ferry? His relationship with the old nun and the insights he discovered? The fact that he spent so many years at the ferry growing old? What did he learn about his goals and his quest?

13. How important was the river as a symbol for the meaning of the film? How was this communicated visually? The role of the river during his Brahmin stage, his attempt at death in the river? The ferry over the river? The river and peace? The insight of the old man about the river being ever-present and the importance of the now? The washings etc.? How important was this for the overall meaning of the film?

14. How important were the sequences when the past returned to Siddhartha? His understanding of his father? His understanding of Govinda's life and Govinda's return? The return of Kamala and the bringing of the boy? The boy's running away from Siddhartha? The significance of this? what dramatic impact did Kamala's death have and the presentation of the snake? Her burial?

15. What final insight and peace did Siddhartha gain? How did he describe it? Was it a final peace? Was this an optimistic peace?

16. What vision of man did the film offer? What vision of the meaning of life? About man's quest and his mistakes? About beauty, God and nature?