Indonesian Cinema Legend Garin Nugroho and Director Razka Robby Ertanto Launch ‘Spirit of the Kantil’ at Cannes Market (EXCLUSIVE)

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Renowned Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho, known as one of Southeast Asia’s significant figures in cinema, revealed his newest project in collaboration with fellow director Razka Robby Ertanto, during the Cannes Market.

The film ‘Spirit of Kantil,’ or ‘Bedoyo’ (as it’s also known), created by Summerland Film Production, is a captivating drama steeped in the mysticism of Javanese culture, with Nugroho taking on dual roles as both writer and producer.

For several decades, Nugroho has left an indelible mark on Southeast Asian cinema with his groundbreaking films like “Opera Jawa” (2006), “Serambi” (2005), and the latest “Samsara” (2024). He consistently challenges conventional boundaries in filmmaking, and his works have been showcased at renowned festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. This has solidified his position as a significant figure in global cinema and a passionate advocate for narrating Indonesian cultural tales.

The movie delves into the intricate blend of beauty, power, and tradition in 1950s Indonesia, using a love triangle as its backdrop: Adista, a wealthy woman proficient in the mysterious art of allure through kantil flowers; Citresa, an enchanting bedoyo dancer who was born under a kantil tree; and Kripala, Citresa’s husband and a struggling composer. As Adista entices Citresa into her realm of ancient rites and ceremonies, their bond strengthens, causing Kripala to succumb to jealousy and uncontrolled fury.

Ertanto describes ‘Spirit of the Kantil’ as a type of enchantment steeped in tradition, mysticism, and longing,” he says. “Drawing from the secretive realm of Javanese ceremonies and spirituality, it delves into the powers shaping aesthetics and ownership.

Moving forward, the artist behind “Midnight in Bali” (2025) and “Yohanna” (2024), which were premiered at Rotterdam, is planning to develop a film that blurs the lines between the sacred and the erotic. This ambitious project will be jointly produced by Gita Fara Praditya from Summerland Film Production, who has previously worked on critically-acclaimed films such as “Before, Now & Then” (2022) and “The Seen and Unseen” (2017).

As a film producer, Nugroho has fostered a fresh movement in Indonesian cinema by supporting notable films such as Mouly Surya’s “Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts” (2017) and Kamila Andini’s “The Seen and Unseen” (2017). This continues his tradition of guidance and cultural conservation.

or, more informally:

Producer Nugroho has been a key figure in promoting a new wave of Indonesian cinema, backing projects like Mouly Surya’s “Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts” (2017) and Kamila Andini’s “The Seen and Unseen” (2017), all while upholding his commitment to mentorship and cultural preservation.

Nugroho positions this project as a blend of honoring Javanese traditions and challenging modern society, emphasizing that surprisingly, the 1950s Indonesia – commonly perceived as conventional – showed more tolerance towards gender diversity and individuality compared to the stricter societal standards we face today.

To keep costs at an estimated $30,000 and a total budget of around $1 million, our team plans to utilize a combination of funding methods such as private equity, film grants, and international collaborations, with the presentation at the Cannes Market being crucial in finding investors. The initial filming is tentatively set to start in January 2027.

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2025-05-18 09:46