Made in Bali

Plot
Made in Bali is a 2017 Indonesian romantic drama film directed by Rako Pela and Mochamad Fakhri. The story revolves around Dewa, a young and talented puppeteer, who is part of a renowned family in Bali that has been creating traditional puppet shows for generations. Dewa's family has a reputation for producing top-notch performers, and their puppet shows are highly regarded in Bali. Growing up, Dewa has been trained by his father, the master puppeteer, and has honed his skills in creating mesmerizing stories through the medium of puppetry. Dewa's days are filled with rehearsals, and he is expected to continue the family tradition. His parents, anticipating a long-standing legacy, arrange for Dewa to marry a girl from a respectable family. This arrangement is meant to secure the future of the puppetry tradition and establish the family's reputation. However, there's someone else in Dewa's life who has been close to him since childhood - her name is Kiky (short for Kiranti), also known as Kiranti. Kiky is Dewa's confidante and partner in crime, with whom he shares a bond that transcends friendship. They have grown up together, exploring the streets of Bali, sharing secrets, and dreaming of a future where they are more than just best friends. Kiky, it turns out, has a secret of her own. After completing her high school education, she has decided to pursue her passion for dancing, a choice that her family does not approve of. Kiky sees her opportunity to take a chance on her dreams slipping away each time she has to hide her aspirations from her family. As Dewa's arranged marriage draws closer, he begins to see the life his parents have planned for him as suffocating and confining. He starts to question whether he has to give up the chance to explore his own desires and ambitions, especially those he shares with Kiky. Dewa is caught between two worlds: the family expectations and the life he wants to create for himself, which includes a future with Kiky. As the day of the engagement party arrives, Dewa is forced to confront the weight of his family's history and the legacy that he is burdened with carrying. The tension between what is expected of him and what he truly wants to do is palpable. The evening of the engagement party becomes a pivotal moment for Dewa as he grapples with the reality of making a choice that could potentially change his life forever. In true Balinese spirit, the film celebrates the resilience of tradition and innovation, as the lead characters must come to terms with change in order to forge their paths. The movie showcases Balinese customs in stunning and vibrant colors while also capturing the essence of Indonesian traditions that play a significant part in the life of Dewa and his family. Ultimately, the film Made in Bali tells the story of a young man at a crossroads, weighing his responsibility to the family's legacy against his own desires and ambitions. As Dewa and Kiky come to terms with the choices laid before them, the movie takes a thoughtful and poignant look at the complexities of love, family expectations, and the quest for personal identity in a beautiful and culturally rich setting. Throughout its narrative, the movie reminds us of the challenges of staying true to oneself while honoring the bonds of family and community. With a narrative that is both authentic and engaging, Made in Bali provides a compelling exploration of what it means to follow one's dreams, even when they go against the status quo. As Dewa searches for his own true identity, the movie offers a touching story about living up to expectations versus forging one's own path in life.
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