Garin Nugroho Movies

Indonesian Opera Jawa director Garin Nugroho takes the helm for this tale of magic realism set on the island of Bali and concerning three women in search of redemption. In Bali, musical chants are commonplace, as are ceremonies in which the masses present offerings to the spirits and deities. In this setting, three "seeds" seek out the answers to the problems that plague their lives. Maharani is a twenty seven year old outsider in search of the truth about her parentage. Advised by a Balinese mystic to study dance under a prominent Ubud performer, Maharani embarks on a journey that will ultimately shake her beliefs in both the law and judiciary system in Bali. Dewi is a forty year old Balinese singer and radio host whose pregnancy has recently grown complicated. When Dewi is forced to choose between an abortion or possible stillbirth, her inner anguish emerges in the form of a haunting improvised chant. Lastly, there's Nian, a teenage girl in search of a paternal role model after her father is imprisoned for corruption. Despite fleeting moments of joy in each tale, the vice, poverty, and desperation that define life in contemporary Indonesia ultimately combine to ensure that each story concludes on a decidedly dark note. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

A college student, a young female dancer, an orphaned adolescent, a rickshaw driver, and an eternal optimist all discuss the manner in which the 2004 tsunami set into motion by an Indian Ocean earthquake dramatically altered their lives in filmmaker Garin Nugroho's reflective documentary. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

This Indonesian feature blends documentary footage with the fictional tale of the independence movement in the province of Papua. The real-life leader of the movement against the area's Christian leadership, Theys Eluay, is introduced in footage shot before his prison death in 2001. Eluay's influence hangs over the main characters, a teacher and activist who fears for his own safety after Eluay is taken into custody. Meanwhile, the teacher's teenaged son tries to reconcile his own budding romantic desires with his father's staunch political actions. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Produced by and starring Indonesian actress Christine Hakim, this Indonesian drama about street kids is the fourth feature of 37-year-old Indonesian director Garin Nugroho. In the ancient city of Jogjakarta, a group of children gather around food-supplier Asih (Hakim), who is visited by her husband only when he's low on funds. She becomes a mother figure for the kids, including several who die during the course of the story. Shown in the Certain Regard section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

In this Indonesian docu-drama, a little boy writes letters to angel whom he believes is real and is bewildered when he never gets a reply. The story is set in an Indonesian village. 9-year old Lewa is a hyperactive, temperamental boy who lost his mother when he was very young. He is good friends with Berlian Merah, a pretty young neighbor who cares for him. Her brother Malaria Tua is his best buddy. Lewa keeps to himself most of the time. He believes the land around him is cared for by an angel whom he frequently writes. He seldom attends class preferring to spend his hours playing with the eccentric Malaria upon the beach. When a group of fashion photographers visits the village for a shoot someone lends Lewa a Polaroid camera. Lewa then becomes obsessed with photographing everything he sees. In his zeal he accidently begins a bloody war between two villages. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi