JAFF 19 Opening Film SAMSARA Leaves the Audience in Awe

The screening of Samsara, a black-and-white silent film directed by Garin Nugroho, kicked off the JAFF 19 festivities. Despite the rain that started in the afternoon, film enthusiasts packed into all five studios of Empire XXI to catch this much-anticipated feature. Samsara, earning four Piala Citra at the 2024 Indonesian Film Festival, including Best Director, has enchanted both the audience and industry professionals.

Audiences were spellbound by the film’s stunning visuals and artistic direction, which created a truly unique and fresh cinematic experience. Set during the 1930s in Bali, the narrative beautifully brought deep emotions to the forefront. Ario Bayu and Juliet Burnett delivered captivating performances as Darta and Sinta, adding richness and energy to the story.
Here are some testimonials from viewers after the screening:

• “Every scene left a strong impression, especially when Darta, played by Ario Bayu, wore the mask. The powerful light emanating from it added a mystical aura.” – Haryono. 
• “I was deeply moved by the scene where the child knelt before his father (Darta, played by Ario Bayu). The film beautifully depicted the love, compassion, and intimate bond between a mother and her child.” – Lilis and Aura.

For those who missed the premiere, Samsara will be screened again on Thursday, 5 December 2024, at the Gelanggang Inovasi dan Kreativitas, Jogja. This time, audiences will experience it in a cinematic concert format featuring live musical accompaniment.

The JAFF 19 festival continues until December 7, showcasing a variety of programs for film lovers. Check out the complete schedule and purchase tickets on our social media account @jaffjogja, the website jaff-filmfest.org, or through TIX.ID.