Inspired by the famous story of “The Abduction of Sita” from the great classic literature of the Ramayana, Opera Jawa is a musical like no other. Telling the story of a passionate love triangle that leads inexorably to conflict, violence and death, Garin Nugroho´s film is bold and innovative; a sumptuously mounted Indonesian extravaganza using dance, music, singing, masks and art installations. The Story: 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 couples business collapses, Ludiro, who has always been in love with Siti, seizes his chance, abducts and tries to seduce her. The inevitable duel over Siti ensues. Opera Jawa celebrates the rich and constantly evolving traditions of Javanese theatre, dance and music. A joyfyl celebration of Indonesia’s cultural diversity, it is at the same time a requiem of grief for all the bloodshed throughout the world, a reflection of life today where problems tend to be solved through cruelty with tragic results.
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