Films
Watch diverse films related to life in Bali, covering topics from the island's surf culture to the sacred rituals performed after the 2002 bombings. Screenings are free with museum admission .
Shadow Master and On Wayang: My Life with Shadows
February 27: double feature
1:30 pm
On Wayang: My Life with Shadows (2011 / World Premiere) a new film following one man's journey into Balinese Shadow Theatre. Followed by a screening of Shadow Master (1979) a dramatic documentary following a family of performers in Bali. Both films illuminate Balinese life from a personal perspective while revealing the cultural context of theatre, music, and dance on the island. They will be followed by a Q&A with Shadow Master and the films’ director Larry Reed.
Cowboys in Paradise
April 14
6:00 pm
This new documentary explores tourism, sex and survival in Bali. Following the screening will be a Q&A session with director Amit Virmani via Skype.
Ambrosia of Immortality and Monkey King at Spider Cave
June 19
1:30-3:00 pm
Compare these two epic tales by Shadowlight Productions. Ambrosia of Immortality is a Balinese version of Churning the Milky Ocean, where gods and demons join forces to create ambrosia and then fight over possession of it. (40min.) Monkey King at Spider Cave is inspired by an episode from Journey to the West, the beloved 16th Century Chinese epic adventure of a Buddhist High Priest and his animal disciples in their quest to bring the Buddhist scriptures to China. Both screenings will include footage of both the full show and a behind-the-scenes documentary. Monkey King at Spider Cave is told in Mandarin with English narration. (48 min.)
The Beginning of Travel to Bali
July 23
2:00 pm
This documentary project is a joint production based on the collaboration between the Bali Film Center and Nick Clark of Screen Archive South East at University of Brighton, UK that revolves around the recently discovered color footage of Bali material of 1939 (circa) documenting the beginnings of travel to Bali and the effect Balinese Dance had on early visitors. The dance scenes in the Wistrand film are of great cultural importance in showing Balinese dance heritage in color. The teacher seen in the sequence is I Ketut Marya, considered the greatest Balinese dancer and choreographer of all time. Shot by Swedish Diplomat TH Wistrand, this amazing 16mm Kodachrome color film shows a fascinating glimpse into the true Bali that existed at the time.
Film Series: Bali Today
Thursdays, May 26, June 23, July 14, August 11 & 23, September 8
7:00 PM
First come, first serve seating
Members free; General admission $10
Enjoy contemporary films of and about Bali today. Topics include the aftermath of the Bali bombings in 2002, surf culture then and now, teenage life, and rituals.
The Healing of Bali documents the Balinese response to the tragic event of the 2002 bombings and the aftermath. Australian filmmaker, John Darling, presents a compelling and intimate insight into traditional and modern Balinese methods of grieving and healing through those affected. Their stories render the film profoundly moving and rewarding, invaluable in its balancing of the information from mainstream media. Directed and produced by John Darling. 52 minutes. 2003.
Young Balinese film director Agung Suecantara tells the story of a traditional rivalry between students from two schools in Denpasar, Bali. The headmasters of the schools, fed up, attempt to make peace and bring the students together with a rock concert. Directed by Agung Suecantara. 2011.
Dede Suryana is a young and talented Muslim surfer from a small fishing village. Follow him as he embarks on his first season in the World Qualifying Series and is expected to make it big. By Dave Arnold and Tyrone Lebon. 48 minutes. 2010.
Talking with Spirits
August 11
August 23 (2:00 pm)*
Michael Wiese visited Bali in the 1970's and was led to a remote village by a Balinese salesman. While he participated in elaborate ceremonies, he realized he did not really "see" the world as the Balinese saw it." Now, 40 years later and many visits between, this film shows sequences that "make us question everything we know about the nature of reality, consciousness, and the very sources of creativity and inspiration." Directed and produced by Michael Wiese. 90 minutes. 2011. *There will be a Q&A session with Michael Wiese after the August 23 screening
Wave of Change
September 8
6:00 pm
In the 1970s, two Australian surfers went to Bali to make a film about the local kids who were picking up on something new: surfing. The film, Bali Surfer, has since become a classic. Wave of Change revisits those Balinese boys to see what has happened in their lives, to their island, to the sport of surfing itself, and how they drew attention to environmental issues and enacted positive changes to the beaches they love. By Richard Flax. 2002.
