Samsara is a 2024 Indonesian silent 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.
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. The live music was performed by Gamelan ensemble Gamelan Yuganada and electronic music duo Gabber Modus Operandi. The show was performed for the first time in Indonesia during the Mega Festival Indonesia Bertutur on 16 August 2024 in Nusa Dua, Bali. It was the opening film of the 19th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival.
The film was released in select Indonesian theatres on 20 November 2025.
Accolades Award / Film Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Indonesian Film Festival20 November 2024 Best Picture Gita Fara and Aldo Swastia Best Director Garin Nugroho Best Actor Ario Bayu Best Cinematography Batara Goempar Best Sound Janu Janardhana and Sutrisno Best Original Score Wayan Sudirana and Kasimyn Best Art Direction Vida Sylvia Best Costume DesignRetno Ratih Damayanti Best Makeup Film Pilihan Tempo5 February 2025 Film Pilihan Tempo Samsara Best DirectorGarin Nugroho Best Screenplay Best Actor Ario Bayu Asia Pacific Screen Awards27 November 2025 Best Film Garin Nugroho and Gita Fara Best Director Garin Nugroho Best Cinematography Batara Goempar
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