A man from a poor family in 1930s Bali has his marriage proposal rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves. He makes a supernatural pact with the Hanoman and performs a dark ritual to gain wealth. However, in the process, the ritual ends up cursing his wife and child, condemning them to suffering.

Indonesia's leading auteur masterfully bridges a millennium of gamelan music with cutting-edge electronica, leaping across centuries of high culture. In a spellbinding homage to silent cinema, often reminiscent of Murnau, Samsara revisits folk tales' wisdom, with the warning not to sacrifice future to greed. Through the mythical figure of the Monkey King and his mischiefs men shortcomings are exposed but, also, the possibility for beauty to awake again. (Benjamin Illos)