Rai Pendet
Production
Biography
Rai Pendet is a Balinese filmmaker from Ubud whose works explore culture, identity, and the poetic depth of local narratives. In 2016, he co-founded Silurbarong.co, a collaborative film community in Ubud that supports local cinema through screenings, workshops, and creative exchanges. His short film Tarian Bumi was screened in Europe, Depth of the Bamboo Forest won at the China Micro-Film Festival, and KOTAK, directed by Dian Sastrowardoyo, showcased his experimental approach. As co-producer of Garin Nugroho’s SAMSARA, Rai continues expanding his craft. His latest script, Bulan At The Edge of Paradise, was developed through the Australia Awards Indonesia Lab at Griffith Film School.
Known For
Darta, a man from an impoverished family, is rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves. Desperate, he strikes a bargain with the Monkey King, performing a dark ritual to gain wealth. However, in doing so, he accidentally curses his wife and child to a life of suffering. Rooted in Indonesian mysticism, this universal narrative explores the insatiable hunger to become something one is not and the boundaries one is willing to cross to achieve it.
Samsara
Kota, trapped in a confined space, watches her friend Alam dance freely in nature. Alam’s graceful movements reflect the harmony with the environment. In contrast, Kota’s dance is a desperate response to her restrictive surroundings, mirroring her mother’s struggles. As Alam extends a hand of friendship, Kota gradually breaks free from her confinement, learning to embrace the natural world and dance harmoniously with her friend.
Kotak
On an island sold as paradise, a young widow who lost her husband to the cruise-ship dream stands at the edge of a choice to leave in search of life, or stay and slowly drown within its beauty.