Indonesian filmmaker Wregas Bhanuteja's latest cinematic endeavor, "Levitating" (Para Perasuk), is set to captivate audiences at the Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The film offers a profound exploration of trance rituals, not as supernatural occurrences, but as vibrant expressions of community, happiness, and the diverse ways individuals experience joy. Through the narrative of a young musician's ardent pursuit to become a spirit channeler, the movie delves into themes of obsession, tradition, and the external pressures threatening a village's cherished customs.
Bhanuteja's personal history, influenced by a sibling who perceived spirits, shaped his view of the spiritual world as an integrated part of daily life, rather than something to be feared. This perspective underpins "Levitating," where trance is depicted as an ordinary communal experience. It’s a space where people momentarily escape their routines, shed anxieties, and forge deeper connections with one another. The director's intent was to illustrate the universal human search for happiness through these unique cultural practices, highlighting how different societies discover their own versions of contentment and release.
The film's protagonist, Bayu, a 20-year-old musician, embarks on a journey to master spirit channeling, driven by a desire to safeguard his village's sacred spring from encroaching external forces. This quest serves as a metaphor for the broader tension between traditional ways of living and the imposition of dominant, often materialistic, standards of success. Bhanuteja critiques how an overemphasis on certain forms of achievement can lead to the marginalization or even destruction of alternative, equally valid, paths to well-being.
A notable aspect of "Levitating" is its innovative approach to trance choreography. Collaborating with Siko Setyanto, Bhanuteja created original movements that are not rooted in any specific existing cultural dance. Instead, the choreography is an intuitive and universal physical language, inspired by animal spirits such as deer, buffalo, and ants. Each spirit is imagined to unlock a distinct hallucinatory environment, with movements tailored to these sensory experiences. This organic development, often responding directly to composer Yennu Ariendra's music, prioritizes raw sensation over rigid explanation, striving for an authentic portrayal of trance as felt rather than performed.
The casting process focused on actors who could embody profound physical transformations. Lead actor Angga Yunanda underwent extensive training, learning traditional instruments and reshaping his physicality to align with animal-inspired movements, mirroring his character Bayu's intense dedication. Similarly, Anggun, cast as the spirit channeler, was chosen for her intuitive vocal authority, creating spontaneous chants that added an unrehearsed authenticity to the rituals. Maudy, another cast member, embraced expressing emotion through movement, exploring vulnerability through dance inspired by the animal world. This emphasis on surrender and genuine feeling was crucial for Bhanuteja, who believes such honesty resonates deeply with audiences.
Ultimately, "Levitating" transcends its specific cultural setting to convey a universal human emotion: obsession. Bayu's relentless pursuit of becoming a 'perasuk' (spirit-channeler) paradoxically distances him from the fundamental essence of the trance party—joy, connection, and presence. This central theme serves as a poignant reminder that an overly zealous pursuit of any goal risks overshadowing the simple, yet profound, human bonds that truly matter. At festivals like Sundance, where diverse audiences converge, the film aims to connect not through its cultural intricacies, but through this shared recognition of the delicate balance between ambition and authentic human experience.
