Wregas Banutedja new film will hit Indonesia screens

Indonesian movie director Wregas Bhanutedja – supported by global producers from various countries presents – a film that carries themes of local rituals at Sundance Festival. In recent years, Southeast Asian cinema has become more prominent in global film discourse, shaped by a growing emphasis on “hyper-local” storytelling that reflects distinct cultural perspectives.

Wregas Bhanuteja’s film, “Levitating” or “Para Perasuk,” demonstrates how a story deeply rooted in an authentic cultural context can reach universal emotions. Drawing from the practice of trance in Indonesia, the film presents an authentic and relevant perspective for audiences of all backgrounds. This “hyper-local” approach allows global audiences to experience a world they have never seen while recognizing feelings they know all too well. When a story is rooted in the authentic details of a specific community, it gains a texture and honesty that generic stories lack.

At the heart of this global appeal is a paradox: the more specific the culture, the more universal the emotion. Levitating centers on the traditional Indonesian practice of mass trance, a concept that might seem niche to a Western viewer. However, Bhanuteja uses this “trance party” as a vessel to explore universal human conditions: the crushing weight of academic and social pressure, the intensity of youthful ambition, and the complex bonds of family. As Bhanuteja notes in his backstory, the film isn’t just about the supernatural; it is about the “soul” and the internal struggles of its characters.

The success of Levitating, which premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026, highlights the strategic importance of international co-productions. Supported by partners in Indonesia, Singapore, France, and Taiwan, the film benefited from a diverse pool of resources and expertise. These collaborations act as a gateway, providing Southeast Asian auteurs with the technical infrastructure and distribution networks needed to reach global audiences without sacrificing their artistic integrity.

The global support for the movie Levitating affirms that authenticity is not a boundary, but rather a strength in maintaining uniqueness in the global entertainment market. Through global collaborations, a local film can be present and resonate internationally.

Sundance began in Salt Lake City in August 1978 as the Utah/US Film Festival to attract more filmmakers to Utah. Actor Robert Redford, who was based in the area, was its main founder alongside Sterling Van Wagenen (head of Robert Redford’s company Wildwood Enterprises, Inc), John Earle and Cirina Hampton-Catania of the Utah Film Commission. The Utah Film Festival was named Sundance after Robert Redford’s character in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The goal of Sundance festival was to showcase American-made films, highlight the potential of independent film, and increase visibility for filmmaking in Utah. The focus of the event was to conduct a competition for independent American films, present a series of retrospective films and filmmaker panel discussions, and celebrate the Frank Capra Award. The festival has continued to evolve over the decades from a low-profile venue for small-budget, independent creators from outside the Hollywood system to a media extravaganza for Hollywood celebrity actors, paparazzi, and luxury lounges set up by companies not affiliated with the Hollywood system.

Raphael Wregas Bhanuteja (born 20 October 1992) is an Indonesian director and screenwriter. In 2016, Wregas Bhanuteja became the first Indonesian director to win an award at the Semaine de la Citique, Cannes Film Festival, for his short film titled Prenjak. Wregas has directed 3 feature films including Pecopier Cahaya, Budi Pekerti, and Para Perasuk.

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