Jakarta, February 14, 2025 — Which should be chosen: the true love from childhood or the love that has been chosen by one’s parents? This dilemma will unfold in the latest romantic drama film from Josh Pictures, “Made in Bali.” The film brings together a young Balinese puppeteer, Made (played by Rayn Wijaya), with his childhood friend, Niluh (Vonny Felicia), and the woman who is arranged to marry him, Putu (Bulan Sutena).
Made is a Balinese shadow puppeteer, while Putu is the daughter of a shadow puppetry artisan. The two seem destined to be together. Just like Made’s life, which is determined for him, he dedicates himself to the art of Balinese shadow puppetry, and his heart is set to give all his love to Putu. However, as time passes, Made’s heart starts to lean toward Niluh. What will happen next?
This teenage romance, which explores the search for the meaning of love and learning about life, is set against the backdrop of Balinese culture, making the film’s story both magical and romantic. The film features strong cultural elements, including the Balinese shadow puppeteer tradition, and showcases the island’s breathtaking landscapes, its culture, and social life, including kite festivals, shadow puppet performances, and Barong Bali dances.
Directed by J.P. Yudhi, “Made in Bali” is produced by Joseph Tarigan. Joseph Tarigan also serves as an executive producer alongside Jemima Tarigan, Roy Shakti, Laudamus, Arianto Widjaja, and Albert Tjandranegara. The film stars Rayn Wijaya, Vonny Felicia, Bulan Sutena, Naomi Hitanayri, Victor Agustino, Gusti Harindra, Roja Itakimo, Jaloe, Wina Marino, Nobuyuki Suzuki, Tri Ningtyas, Dian Sidik, and Siska Salman.
The screenplay is written by Oka Aurora, a 2024 Citra Award nominee, and the soundtrack features songs by Ariel NOAH, Manusia Aksara feat. Savira Razak, Banda Neira, Hiroaki Kato, and Gus Teja World Music, giving the film a poetic and heartfelt tone.
“Made in Bali is a romantic drama that also showcases a journey of self-discovery and the search for the meaning of love on a beautiful island. It’s not just about the natural scenery, but also about the soul of its people and the enchanting art of Balinese shadow puppetry. Made in Bali is a unique fusion of love and culture that promises an unforgettable cinematic experience,” said the film’s producer Joseph Tarigan.
Screenwriter Oka Aurora shared that one of the most interesting aspects of creating the story was the research phase. Oka met many Balinese artists and young locals.
“At first, this was just a typical love triangle story. But after talking with Ray Nayoan, the creator of Made’s character, Ray gave the idea to make Made very local. The idea of a young puppeteer came from Ray. Then, we both had the idea to combine wayang (puppetry) with anime and J-rock music. From there, the three main characters developed,” said Oka Aurora.
Rayn Wijaya, who plays Made, admitted to learning a lot about the Balinese language and dialect from his co-star, Bulan Sutena, who is of Balinese descent. This made it easier for Rayn to better understand and embody his character. In addition, he also learned valuable lessons by attending workshops with a Balinese puppetry maestro.
“I really enjoy playing the character of Made; it’s been a valuable experience and a new challenge for me as an actor. Bulan Sutena helped me a lot in understanding the dialogues in the Balinese language. Also, I learned about Balinese wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) and became a puppeteer myself. I have great respect for the artists who dedicate their passion to preserving cultural heritage,” said Rayn Wijaya.
Meanwhile, Bulan Sutena added that Made in Bali was a new experience for her. Having starred in three feature films so far, Made in Bali is her first romantic drama.
“Made in Bali is my first romantic drama. I’m happy to work with such a professional and skilled cast and crew. In this film, I learned a lot about processing emotions and portraying character dynamics through my role as Putu. Although I had an easier time understanding the character due to my Balinese background, there were still challenges, especially with the differences between Putu’s character and my own personal traits. I had to provide a range of characterization to make the story resonate powerfully,” said Bulan Sutena.
Made in Bali will be released in cinemas across Indonesia starting February 20, 2025, offering an ideal watch for Indonesian audiences this love-filled month. Stay updated with the latest information on the film through its official Instagram accounts @madeinbali_themovie and @joshpictures_official.
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