One after another, testimonies and obituaries are shown on a small blue screen in front of the excavated cliff. One by one, archived interviews are displayed in a flickering hologram-like format. They tell the story of the late artist from Buleleng, Bali, I Gde Dharna, and his monumental works that are scattered without proper archiving. These archives are then collected by Fioretti Vera to be investigated and re-narrated through her experimental documentary film, OSMOSIA (2023).
For the people of Bali, especially Bali United fans, the song “Merah Putih” is no stranger. They are familiar with every lyric they sing, both inside and outside the stadium. The Balinese-language song by I Gde Dharna is very popular among them. In contrast, the name of its creator is rarely mentioned. Instead, the diverse sounds of his work are explored, which range from discussions of romanticism, exoticism, cultural resistance, to ecological justice. Unfortunately, until after his death in 2015, his works had not been properly archived. Many of his archives were not properly appreciated, so they were scattered and lost without a trace.
A series of archival interviews about I Gde Dharna and his scattered archives of work are concluded with footage of his funeral procession accompanied by a military ceremony. Director Vera’s experimentation continues by combining a recording of the opening sound of an awards night for I Gde Dharna with archival footage of the military ceremony. The host’s voice is accompanied by a soundscape that spreads until the title of the movie comes out. These sounds lead us to the opera scenes in this 24-minute documentary.
Together with dramaturge B.M. Anggana, Director Vera approaches I Gde Dharna’s archives using operatic methodology and traditional Balinese vocal techniques. We can see it when a woman in a red dress recites the libretto as the camera zooms in on her with a dolly zoom. She is the fictional creature “Tumbuhan Merah” (Red Plantations, ed) as a symbolization of the vegetation that grows on Balinese soil. This is followed by a montage of choreography sequences and three paintings depicting fast-ripening rice, buni fruit and subak (Balinese agricultural irrigation system).
Desak Suarti Laksmi who plays the fictional creature “Bumi Putih” sings the libretto sourced from I Gde Dharna’s archives using her distinctive Balinese vocal technique. She becomes the subject of distinction among the constantly moving symbols of masked demons. The rough image cuts are stitched together with music and sound to create a cohesive opera scene. In some scenes, the opera vocals also complement and surprise. This experimental documentary can also be said to be an opera film based on the methodological approach in its creation.
The scene continues with some of the creatures in the cave cremating three paintings that were previously on the barren ground of the excavation. This symbolizes a ritual of grief for nature and humanity that they consider extinct. Pieces of I Gde Dharna’s songs are alternated with readings of his poetry by fictional beings and a poet on a holographic screen. The recording on the holographic screen continues in front of the fire that continues to burn the three paintings.
I Gde Dharna’s children also gave testimonials about their father on the screen. They recounted his life and teachings with honesty and admiration. They also connected with I Gde Dharna’s voice on environmental awareness and his love for nature.
Ecological justice is a strong voice in I Gde Dharna’s work. His criticism and concern for ecology are reflected in his works that are scattered across dimensions. We can participate in exploring his ideas and works that are investigated and re-narrated by Director Vera in OSMOSIA (2023) which screens in the Lanskap: Bentang Sinema FFD 2024. (Ahmad Radhitya Alam) (Ed. Vanis/Trans. Naufal Shabri)
Film Details
OSMOSIA
Fioretti Vera | 24 Min | 2023 | DI Yogyakarta, Bali
Official Selection for Lanskap
Festival Film Dokumenter 2024
Screening Schedule
Nov. 6 | 19:00 WIB | Ruang Seminar, TBY
Nov. 8 | 15:30 WIB | Militaire Societeit, TBY