Where The Wild Frangipanis Grow

Director : Nirartha Bas Diwangkara

Language : Balinese, Indonesian with English subtitle

2023 | Drama, 15 min.

Synopsis

Aditya, a young personal assistant in a renowned Hindu ashram for a charismatic spiritual leader, is torn when he develops romantic feelings toward a new innocent recruit named Chandra and realizes that his Guru has also developed a strong attraction toward the new disciple. 

Director’s Statement

Born as a Balinese and growing up from a priest family.
I am being taught to serve and to do good. However, I am also human, many times I am seeing religion being used by those who are perhaps too human.
And finally a few years ago, when I read the news about sexual abuse that also happened to many financially struggling young boys in a Hindu ashram by its spiritual leader. It inspired me to make a short film about this story.
Now I understand that sexual abuse not only happening to women, but also to men, especially the vulnerable young boys.
And from this I can see another issue about LGBTQ+ community acceptance in Bali. often condemned in the name of religion but ironically happens in religious institutions.
Based on scandalous rumors that are still shocking Bali alleged an accusation of a huge cover up by the rich and powerful. I want to explore how spiritual living can become so corrupt and people who intend to improve themselves can fall so far. How can the victim become the abuser?