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Garebeg

A Javanese Cosmopolitical Ceremony in Motion

2017 — Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

This film observes Garebeg, a sacred Javanese royal ritual where power, charity, and cosmology intersect. Behind the vibrant parades and the chaotic scramble for the Gunungan, lies a profound philosophy of kingship: one that balances the worldly and the spiritual, the visible and the unseen.

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Director // Videographer // Editor // Journalist

Directing, Filming, Research, Interview, Editing, Mixing & Mastering, Color Grading, Motion Graphic

Client

Kalacemeti Research & Archive — Art & Culture Research & Archivist Foundation – Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia

Reference

Lola Lolita Subagya, S.Tr.I.Kom.

Producer – Official “Garebeg” Documentary Movie

Contact: kugymukhlis@gmail.com

Role

I directed, shot, edited, and conducted field interviews for this film. From tracking the ritual’s spiritual meaning to analyzing its socio-political symbolism, I was immersed in both the ceremony and its deeper cosmological roots.

Artistic Direction & Style

Using long developing shots and cinéma vérité observation, I aimed to dissolve the line between ceremony and viewer. Editing was inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s continuity-driven storytelling — cutting to meaning, not just sequence — so that each frame carries historical, spiritual, and emotional resonance.

Core Vibe & Genre

Political theology in motion.
A ritual documentary that asks: what happens when kings give away food, not commands?

Sound & Atmosphere

Diegetic sound was recorded live to emphasize the immersion — from gamelan drones to the breath of the crowd. The sound design mirrors the movement between order and chaos, formality and frenzy.

Tools & Techniques

  • Camera: Mirrorless hybrid + monopod for stability during crowd chase
  • Editing: Adobe Premiere + Kurosawa-style narrative pacing
  • Audio: Shotgun mic + Zoom recorder for environmental layering
  • Delivery: Designed for both online doc series and cultural festival screenings

“Garebeg is not a spectacle. It is an interpretation of life — about fortune, power, and the space between heaven and earth.”

More from My Documentary Lens

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of Building, Branding, and Blowing Minds.

With 11 years of experience building websites for global clients, I bring more than just code. My work blends neurocasting strategy, brand-centered design, and multimedia storytelling — from UI to video, motion graphics, and animation — to make your website not just beautiful, but unforgettable. Let’s build something that speaks & sells.

 

Let’s build something that sells — not just sits pretty.

 

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