TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Renowned director Garin Nugroho has launched his latest film project at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival market.
This time, Garin takes on the roles of screenwriter and producer for the film Spirit of the Kantil (Indonesian title: Roh Kembang Kantil, alternate title: Bedoyo), which is directed by young filmmaker Razka Robby Ertanto. The project is produced by Summerland Film Production.
In a post on his personal Instagram account on Thursday, May 22, 2025, Garin wrote:
"A souvenir from Cannes: After writing the story for Marlina for Mouly Surya and making it to Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes (2017), now I’ve written Spirit Kembang Kantil for Robby. Giving a film story requires finding the right director who matches the story’s character."
Spirit of the Kantil: A Sensual and Mystical Javanese Tale
The film is a sensual drama rooted in Javanese mystical tradition. It revolves around three main characters; Adista, a wealthy woman who masters the mystical art through the kantil flower, Citresa, a bedoyo dancer born under the kantil tree, and Kripala, Citresa's husband who is also a struggling composer.
When Adista draws Citresa into the world of ancient rituals and ceremonies, their relationship grows closer, while Kripala is consumed by jealousy and anger.
As quoted from Variety, director Robby said, "I envision ‘Spirit of the Kantil’ as a spell in the language of traditions, mysticism and desire. Rooted in the esoteric world of Javanese rituals and metaphysics, it is an exploration of the forces that govern beauty and possession."
He also stated that in this film, the sacred and the erotic are not distinct realms, but are deeply interconnected.
A Track Record of Acclaimed Work and Collaboration
Robby Ertanto began gaining wider recognition after his film Yohanna swept the major awards at the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) 2024.
The film won Best Film, Best Director, Best Storytelling, Best Cinematography, and Best Performances for Laura Basuki, Kirana Putri Grasela, and Iqua Tahlequa. Robby also directed Midnight in Bali (2025), which premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival.
Meanwhile, Garin Nugroho is widely known for acclaimed works such as Serambi (2005), Opera Jawa (2006), and his recent film Samsara (2024). His films have screened at prestigious festivals like Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. As a producer, Garin has also worked on notable films such as Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2017) by Mouly Surya, and The Seen and Unseen (2017) by Kamila Andini.
According to Variety, Garin said this new project also serves as a reflection on contemporary social conditions. He noted that paradoxically, 1950s Indonesia, often viewed as conservative, actually showed greater respect for self-expression and gender fluidity compared to today’s norms.
Budget and Production Plans
Spirit of the Kantil will be produced through a blended financing model, including private investment, film grants, and international partnerships. The development budget is estimated at US$30,000 (approx. Rp489 million), with a total production budget of around US$1 million (approx. Rp16 billion). Filming is scheduled to begin in January 2027.
Editor’s Choice: Cannes Film Festival 2025: Indonesian Jury, Singaporean Films
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