Samsara: A Cine-Concert presents a captivating cinematic experience. Samsara will feature a silent black-and-white film accompanied by traditional Balinese gamelan, electronic music, and both traditional and contemporary vocalists. Samsara will enchant audiences at the Gelanggang Inovasi Kreativitas in Yogyakarta on December 5, 2024, and at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki from December 13-15, 2024.
Samsara is written and directed by renowned Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho. The performance tells the story of the price one must pay to fulfill the desires of the heart. Darta (played by Ario Bayu), a man from a poor family, is rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves, Sinta (played by Juliet Widyasari Burnett). He then makes a pact with the Monkey King (Gus Bang Sada) and performs dark rituals to gain wealth. However, in the process, he curses his wife and child, causing them to suffer.
Set in 1930s Bali, in a world full of magic and myth, Samsara: A Cine-Concert projects a silent black-and-white film, accompanied by a live gamelan ensemble from Gamelan Yuganada and the electronic music duo Gabber Modus Operandi. The performance includes contemporary dance, masks, and wayang (shadow puppetry). What unfolds on stage is a bold and memorable cinematic experience, beautifully weaving together cinema, performing arts, and the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia from the past, present, and future.