A lively evening celebrating Indonesia's diverse and multifaceted cinematic and musical worlds. Join the Asia Society for a screening of Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho's legendary film Opera Jawa, introduced by the filmmaker himself. Stay and discuss the film at the wine reception afterwards, and close out the night with a special performance by renowned composer Peni CANDRA RINI (ACC 2010, 2016) with acclaimed composers and musicians Shahzad Ismaily, Andy McGraw and I Gusti Putu Sudarta. 

Inspired by the famous story “The Abduction of Sita” from the great classic of ancient South and South East-Asian literature, the Ramayana, OPERA JAWA is a musical like no other in cinema. It tells of a passionate love triangle that leads inexorably to conflict, violence and death. Setio and his wife Siti run a pottery business in a small village where Ludiro, a powerful and ruthless butcher, controls all the trading activities. When the couple’s business collapses, Ludiro, who has always been in love with Siti, seizes his chance, abducts and tries to seduce her. Inevitably, the two men begin to fight over Siti. (Pyramide Films)