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- Custom Article Title: Satan Jawa (MSO) ★★★★1/2
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If a single word could sum up the world première of Satan Jawa, it would be ‘bewitching’. Indonesian Director Garin Nugroho’s black-and-white silent film combines mime and dance to relate a Faustian tale of love, sacrifice, and agony, rooted in Javanese mysticism. A twenty-piece ...
Setio’s descent into madness (and Asih’s own torment) was told through a series of striking images; fog rolled across fearsome stone gargoyles; children with faces painted white held skulls to their chests; Asih writhed in a bathtub in the middle of a forest while a demon cavorted behind her; dancers gambolled grotesquely, clutching topengs (masks) to their faces. Close-ups of an odd-looking soft-shell turtle stole the show. The overall effect of all these elements was deeply unnerving, surreal, and sensuous in equal parts.
Satan Jawa drew much applause from its enraptured audience; it is a shame that it showed for just one night only.
Soloist Peni Candra Rini performs to Satan Jawa (photograph by Mark Gambino)
Satan Jawa was directed by Garin Nugroho, composed by Rahayu Supanggah, and conducted by Iain Grandage. It was performed at Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, as part of the Asia-Pacific Triennial of Arts (Asia TOPA). Performance attended: 24 February 2017.
ABR Arts is generously supported by The Ian Potter Foundation.
Soloist Peni Candra Rini performs to Satan Jawa (photograph by Mark Gambino)