“Ronggeng is my world. This is my devotion to the village.”

Sang Penari or The Dancer is a story about Srintil and Rasus in a poor village called Dukuh Paruh, Banyumas, Central Java during 1950-1970. It was based inspired on a novel called Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk by Ahmad Tohari. The movie centers on Srintil as a Ronggeng. Ronggeng is Javanese village dancer who is considered to be sacred and magical, related to the spirits. Village people think highly of Ronggeng as they are the center of beauty, connected to the spirits and as a form of folk art.

Srintil and Rasus have developed love interest to each other since young. When they were kids, Srintil’s parents died from poisoned Bongkrek (Javanese food contains soybean and tofu) which they produce themselves. The poisoned Bongkrek also killed several people they gave it too, including the famous Ronggeng the village have at that moment. Srintil’s parents died from shame and guilty. Continue reading →