Garin Nugroho has built a career on expanding cinematic expression occasionally across boundaries, occasionally following interdisciplinary paths. “Samsara” a black-and-white film that is silent in terms of dialogue but filled with music, seems to be a title where the Indonesian’s style finds its apogee.

Samsara is screening at Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival

The story takes in place in Bali (where the film was actually shot), circa 1932 . Darta, a man from an impoverished family, who is rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves, Sinta, makes a bargain with the Monkey King, performing a dark ritual to gain wealth. In this case, the wealth is mirrored in a rather expensive ornament Darta presents to Sinta, who eventually agrees to marry him. The two live happily and have a son after a while, but the deal turns out to be a curse involving the son being given to the Monkey King,...