GRAFFITI VERITE' 12 ow Puppet Theater of Bali

GRAFFITI VERITE' 12 (GV12) WAYANG KULIT: Shadow Puppet Theater of Bali is an enthralling and culturally illuminating 2011 documentary film explores one of Bali's oldest and most unique performance traditions, balinese shadow puppet theater also known as "Wayang Kulit". The documentary forms part of the highly acclaimed Graffiti Verite’ Documentary Series, helmed by multi-award-winning filmmaker Bob Bryan.

This beautifully shot film acts as both an homage to and a preservation of a critical aspect of Balinese culture that is threatened by the rapid modernization and westernization of the island. Through its careful storytelling, sensitively captured visuals and an eye for detail, it takes its viewers on an intimate journey deep into the heart of Bali, an Indonesian island known for its highly developed arts, including the distinct traditional and modern dance along with its complex performances such as Wayang Puppet theatre.

GV12 unveils the enigmatic realities of Wayang Kulit, an art form that is finely intertwined with the spiritual and cultural fabric of Balinese society, dating back nearly a thousand years. Wayang Kulit is a night-long performance that involves intricate leather puppets, which are shadowed onto a screen by a delicately crafted oil lamp. Through this ancient storytelling medium, moral, ethical, philosophical narratives are unfolded playing an essential role in communicating cultural traditions and norms.

The film skirts away from a traditional documentary format, preferring to delve into an in-depth examination of the Wayang Kulit, highlighting its intricate puppet-making process, its spiritual significance, and its performance artistry. The documentary sets a fascinating tone, focusing on dalang, the puppeteer who manipulates the puppet figures behind a linen screen, narrating and engaging the audience for hours in their local language. Acting as a primary educator in the society, dalang plays a crucial role in the transmission of moral and philosophical narratives.

The movie presents compelling interviews and footage of I Made Sidia, one of Bali's most acclaimed puppeteer artists. Sidia leads views through the socio-cultural and spiritual landscape of Bali, disclosing the meticulous process of puppet creation, the vigorous training required to become a dalang, and the important relationship that dalang maintains with the community.

Moreover, Sidia's passionate engagement with Wayang Kulit forms the core of the film, embodying both the cultural resilience of the Balinese people and the existential threats to this age-old tradition. Sidia’s efforts to modernize and globalize the art form, all while retaining its essential cultural and spiritual foundations, paint a picture of a society striving to maintain a balance between tradition and modernity.

GV12 further delves into the spiritual aspect revealing how Wayang Kulit is not just an art form, but a form of worship, an elaborate ritual where the dalang communicates with the divine entities, seeking blessings before, during, and after the performance. The film portrays some real instances of performances, unveiling the intimate relationship between the theatre, religion, and social life, invoking respect for tradition and ancient wisdom.

In the aesthetical front, the film is powerfully visual with expert cinematography delivering colorful details of the Balinese landscape juxtaposed with the intricate details of the handmade Balinese leather puppets dancing upon the canvas of the shadow theatre. From the initiation rituals to the final, breathtaking performances, each scene draws viewers in, conferring the sense of witnessing a sacred ritual. The traditional Balinese gamelan music further creates a unique aura around the film, complementing the visual and thematic richness.

Overall, GRAFFITI VERITE' 12 (GV12) WAYANG KULIT: Shadow Puppet Theater of Bali serves as a living document of an ancient narrative and art tradition. It throws light onto a magical yet vanishing world and stokes important conversations about the survival and future of such unique cultural expressions. By immersing viewers in the complexities inherent in each puppet, each performance, each puppeteer, Bob Bryan has created a film that is a must-watch, not just for art enthusiasts but for anyone intrigued by the richness of world cultures, tradition, and the intricate balance between progress and preservation.