Samsara (2024 film)
| Samsara | |
|---|---|
Official poster | |
| Directed by | Garin Nugroho |
| Screenplay by | Garin Nugroho |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Batara Goempar |
| Edited by | Beck |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | Indonesia |
Samsara is a 2024 Indonesian silent romantic drama film directed by Garin Nugroho. It stars Ario Bayu and Juliet Widyasari Burnett. The film is presented with live music. It had its world premiere on 10 May 2024 at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in Singapore.
It received nine nominations at the 2024 Indonesian Film Festival and won four awards, including Best Director for Nugroho. It received three nominations at the 18th Asia Pacific Screen Awards, including Best Film.
Premise
In 1930s Bali, an impoverished man performs a dark ritual to gain wealth in order to earn the approval of the wealthy parents of the woman he loves. He strikes a bargain with the monkey King and performs a dark ritual to gain wealth, but in the process, he curses his wife and child into suffering.[1]
Cast
- Ario Bayu as Darta
- Juliet Widyasari Burnett as Sinta
- Gus Bang Sada as Monkey King
- Valentine Payen-Wicaksono as Sinta's Mother
Release
Samsara had its world premiere on 10 May 2024 at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in Singapore during the Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of the Arts.[2] The live music was performed by Gamelan ensemble Gamelan Yuganada and electronic music duo Gabber Modus Operandi.[3] The show was performed for the first time in Indonesia during the Mega Festival Indonesia Bertutur on 16 August 2024 in Nusa Dua, Bali.[4] It was the opening film of the 19th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival.[5]
The film was released in select Indonesian theatres on 20 November 2025.[6]
Accolades
| Award / Film Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesian Film Festival | 20 November 2024 | Best Picture | Gita Fara and Aldo Swastia | Nominated | [7] |
| Best Director | Garin Nugroho | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Ario Bayu | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Batara Goempar | Won | |||
| Best Sound | Janu Janardhana and Sutrisno | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Score | Wayan Sudirana and Kasimyn | Won | |||
| Best Art Direction | Vida Sylvia | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Retno Ratih Damayanti | Won | |||
| Best Makeup | Nominated | ||||
| Film Pilihan Tempo | 5 February 2025 | Film Pilihan Tempo | Samsara | Nominated | [8] |
| Best Director | Garin Nugroho | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actor | Ario Bayu | Nominated | |||
| Asia Pacific Screen Awards | 27 November 2025 | Best Film | Garin Nugroho and Gita Fara | Nominated | [9] |
| Best Director | Garin Nugroho | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Batara Goempar | Won |
References
- ^ Shanti, Hreeloita Dharma (31 May 2024). Maryati (ed.). "Film "Samsara" tawarkan pengalaman sinematik tak biasa" [The film "Samsara" offers an unusual cinematic experience]. Antara. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ Rahmani, Nadia Putri (15 May 2024). Yakub, Edy M. (ed.). "Film "Samsara" karya Garin Nugroho sukses tayang di Singapura" [Garin Nugroho's film "Samsara" was successfully screened in Singapore]. Antara. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ Waworuntu, Amira (9 May 2024). "Samsara OST blends Balinese Gamelan with Gabber Modus Operandi's hardcore sounds". Mixmag Asia. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Perdana di Indonesia, Cine-Concert "Samsara" Dipentaskan di Mega Festival Intur 2024" [For the First Time in Indonesia, the Cine-Concert "Samsara" will be Staged at the 2024 Intur Mega Festival]. Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ Ginanjar, Prasetyo Agung (8 November 2024). "JAFF 2024 Bakal Dibuka dengan Film Samsara & Ditutup Film 1 Kakak 7 Ponakan" [JAFF 2024 Will Open with the Film Samsara and Close with the Film 1 Brother, 7 Nieces]. Hypeabis. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Samsara Tayang untuk Umum di Bioskop Indonesia Mulai 20 November". CNN Indonesia. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
- ^ "Daftar Lengkap Nominasi Piala Citra FFI 2024". CNN Indonesia. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ Marvela, ed. (1 February 2025). "Daftar Nomine Film Pilihan Tempo 2024". Tempo. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Ntim, Zac (15 October 2025). "Asia Pacific Screen Awards: 'Samsara' & Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident' Among Leading Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved 15 October 2025.