Private Project

Where The Wild Frangipanis Grow

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.

  • Nirartha Bas Diwangkara
    Director
  • Nirartha Bas Diwangkara
    Writer
  • John Badalu
    Producer
  • Agus Wiratama
    Key Cast
    "Aditya"
  • Bryan Ferguson
    Key Cast
    "Candra"
  • Donny Damara
    Key Cast
    "Guruji"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    13,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Indonesia
  • Country of Filming:
    Indonesia
  • Language:
    Indonesian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Nirartha Bas Diwangkara

Nirartha is a Balinese filmmaker based in Denpasar. After volunteering in several local art and film communities as well as local film festivals, he decided to be a filmmaker and got accepted in CCIP program to learn Digital Media emphasizing in filmmaking in Pierce College in Washington State for almost a year. In 2018, he co-founded a film production community named Film Sarad where his short film debut entitled Tergila-Gila (Insanely Infatuated with Someone at the Most Inappropriate Time) became their first project. The film has won the Bali Jani Festival, became shortlist for short film nomination in FFI 2019 and has been screened in several film festivals in Southeast Asia.

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Director Statement

I was very devastated when I learned that my best friend was sexually abused by his religion teacher in elementary school when he was just 9 years old. Until now, he told no one, except me and his wife. i asked him, why don't you tell your parents? he was ashamed and could only blame himself.
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?