APSA: Samsara

Bali, circa 1932. Since childhood, Sinta and Darta were close, though they came from opposite classes. Sinta was born into the wealthy family of a noble Balinese father and an American mother, while Darta is a child from a poor bamboo craftsman family. They came together because since a kid Darta has worked in Sinta’s family household as an offering maker. In their 20s, their friendship becomes intimate and they fall in love with each other. However, after Darta tries to propose to Sinta and gets rejected by her parents, Darta wanders aimlessly while Sinta falls into deep sadness of loss. In his aimless journey, Darta finds a shaman who tells him about a sacrificial Monkey King ritual that could grant him fortune in exchange for sacrificing his future child to the Monkey King.

Nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography in the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and screening with an in-person Q&A with producer Gita Fara, cinematographer Batara Goempar and lead actress Juliet Widyasari Burnett.