Garin Nugroho

Directing

Garin Nugroho

Born

1961-06-06 (65)

Place of birth

Jogjakarta, Indonesia

Known for

Directing

Credits

46 titles

Garin Nugroho Riyanto (born June 6, 1961, in Yogyakarta) is a renowned Indonesian film director, screenwriter, and producer. He first gained widespread recognition after releasing his film Cinta dalam Sepotong Roti (A Slice of Love) in 1990. His works have often transcended national boundaries and earned international acclaim. One of his most notable films is Surat untuk Bidadari (Letter to an Angel) (1992), which brought him to the international film stage. Additionally, his film Daun di Atas Bantal (Leaf on a Pillow) (1998) became the first Indonesian film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Garin is also well-known for other works such as Opera Jawa (2006) and Kucumbu Tubuh Indah…

Known for

Red Before Dawn poster
NR

Amidst the volatile dawn of Indonesian independence, five individuals from starkly contrasting socio-political backgrounds must navigate a heavily fractured nation to deliver a critical state document, confronting severe hostility and paranoia from the very revolutionary factions they seek to serve.

Red Before Dawn

2026

Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema poster
7.5

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Busan International Film Festival founder Kim Dong-ho, at eighty-five, picks up a camcorder for the first time and decides to make a documentary. His lens turns toward cinemas struggling through the crisis, as beloved theaters vanish amid dwindling audiences. Seeking to reconnect with old friends, "Mr. Kim" — now nearing ninety — travels the world to talk with filmmakers and cinephiles. Through these encounters, he reflects on cinema’s past and future, finding wisdom and resilience in a time of transformation. His journey becomes a meditation on change, memory, and the enduring spirit of film.

Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema

2026

Satan Jawa poster
NR

Barred from pursuing his romantic partner by an authoritarian social hierarchy, a desperate young man orchestrates a perilous pact with a malevolent entity, inadvertently unleashing an apocalyptic, supernatural reckoning upon his domestic world.

Satan Jawa

2016

Samsara poster
7.6

Darta, a man from an impoverished family, is rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves. Desperate, he strikes a bargain with the Monkey King, performing a dark ritual to gain wealth. However, in doing so, he accidentally curses his wife and child to a life of suffering. Rooted in Indonesian mysticism, this universal narrative explores the insatiable hunger to become something one is not and the boundaries one is willing to cross to achieve it.

Samsara

2024

Requiem from Java poster
5.9

This is the story about Setyo, Siti and Ludiro, who were the performer of Javanese Ramayana's Wayang Wong. Setyo and Siti are spouse who live in a village by selling earthenware products. In the village, live as well Ludiro, the head of the stockyard, who is very wealthy and secretly in love with Siti. Conflicts arrived as Setyo's earthenware company is going bankrupt and Siti started to took notice in Ludiro's desire to win her love. These triangle love transform into a civil war in the village that brings not only extremity and injustice, but also the death of the loved ones.

Requiem from Java

2006

Dilanjutkan Salah Disudahi Perih poster
7.0

To reconcile after a final divorce, a former couple must navigate a legally required interim marriage, leading to unexpected jealousy and drama when the ex-husband repeatedly interferes in her new relationship.

Dilanjutkan Salah Disudahi Perih

2025

Film credits

2020s · 3 titles

Behind the camera

Red Before Dawn poster
NR

Amidst the volatile dawn of Indonesian independence, five individuals from starkly contrasting socio-political backgrounds must navigate a heavily fractured nation to deliver a critical state document, confronting severe hostility and paranoia from the very revolutionary factions they seek to serve.

Red Before Dawn

2026

Red Before Dawn poster
NR

Amidst the volatile dawn of Indonesian independence, five individuals from starkly contrasting socio-political backgrounds must navigate a heavily fractured nation to deliver a critical state document, confronting severe hostility and paranoia from the very revolutionary factions they seek to serve.

Red Before Dawn

2026

Satan Jawa poster
NR

Barred from pursuing his romantic partner by an authoritarian social hierarchy, a desperate young man orchestrates a perilous pact with a malevolent entity, inadvertently unleashing an apocalyptic, supernatural reckoning upon his domestic world.

Satan Jawa

2016

Satan Jawa poster
NR

Barred from pursuing his romantic partner by an authoritarian social hierarchy, a desperate young man orchestrates a perilous pact with a malevolent entity, inadvertently unleashing an apocalyptic, supernatural reckoning upon his domestic world.

Satan Jawa

2016

Samsara poster
7.6

Darta, a man from an impoverished family, is rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves. Desperate, he strikes a bargain with the Monkey King, performing a dark ritual to gain wealth. However, in doing so, he accidentally curses his wife and child to a life of suffering. Rooted in Indonesian mysticism, this universal narrative explores the insatiable hunger to become something one is not and the boundaries one is willing to cross to achieve it.

Samsara

2024

Samsara poster
7.6

Darta, a man from an impoverished family, is rejected by the wealthy parents of the woman he loves. Desperate, he strikes a bargain with the Monkey King, performing a dark ritual to gain wealth. However, in doing so, he accidentally curses his wife and child to a life of suffering. Rooted in Indonesian mysticism, this universal narrative explores the insatiable hunger to become something one is not and the boundaries one is willing to cross to achieve it.

Samsara

2024

Requiem from Java poster
5.9

This is the story about Setyo, Siti and Ludiro, who were the performer of Javanese Ramayana's Wayang Wong. Setyo and Siti are spouse who live in a village by selling earthenware products. In the village, live as well Ludiro, the head of the stockyard, who is very wealthy and secretly in love with Siti. Conflicts arrived as Setyo's earthenware company is going bankrupt and Siti started to took notice in Ludiro's desire to win her love. These triangle love transform into a civil war in the village that brings not only extremity and injustice, but also the death of the loved ones.

Requiem from Java

2006

Requiem from Java poster
5.9

This is the story about Setyo, Siti and Ludiro, who were the performer of Javanese Ramayana's Wayang Wong. Setyo and Siti are spouse who live in a village by selling earthenware products. In the village, live as well Ludiro, the head of the stockyard, who is very wealthy and secretly in love with Siti. Conflicts arrived as Setyo's earthenware company is going bankrupt and Siti started to took notice in Ludiro's desire to win her love. These triangle love transform into a civil war in the village that brings not only extremity and injustice, but also the death of the loved ones.

Requiem from Java

2006

Dilanjutkan Salah Disudahi Perih poster
7.0

To reconcile after a final divorce, a former couple must navigate a legally required interim marriage, leading to unexpected jealousy and drama when the ex-husband repeatedly interferes in her new relationship.

Dilanjutkan Salah Disudahi Perih

2025

Deadly Love Poem poster
6.7

Words of poetry spell certain death when a young woman grows increasingly distraught after a string of unusual murders take place.

Deadly Love Poem

2023

Deadly Love Poem poster
6.7

Words of poetry spell certain death when a young woman grows increasingly distraught after a string of unusual murders take place.

Deadly Love Poem

2023

A Perfect Fit poster
7.3

Sparks fly when a fashion blogger in Bali meets a gifted shoemaker, leading her to question her commitment to her fiancé.

A Perfect Fit

2021

Kejarlah Janji poster
6.0

Pertiwi, a strong and independent woman who took care of her three children: Adam, Sekar, and Isham until they became adults and left their hometown. Her husband died after losing the village head election against his rival, Janji Upaya. The children of Pertiwi, who blamed Janji Upaya for their father's death, harbored deep feelings of resentment towards Janji Upaya.

Kejarlah Janji

2023

Nyai: A Woman from Java poster
6.5

In 1927 colonial Indonesia, a young woman trapped as a Dutch man's concubine fights for dignity in a world that sees her as nothing more than property.

Nyai: A Woman from Java

2016

Nyai: A Woman from Java poster
6.5

In 1927 colonial Indonesia, a young woman trapped as a Dutch man's concubine fights for dignity in a world that sees her as nothing more than property.

Nyai: A Woman from Java

2016

Nyai: A Woman from Java poster
6.5

In 1927 colonial Indonesia, a young woman trapped as a Dutch man's concubine fights for dignity in a world that sees her as nothing more than property.

Nyai: A Woman from Java

2016

Under the Tree poster
10.0

The story follows three women in Bali, each facing their own life challenges. Maharani is a woman searching for her biological mother. Nian is a celebrity trying to escape her family troubles. Meanwhile, Dewi is a radio announcer who must confront the harsh realities of her life. These three women embark on a journey in Bali to find the meaning of life and peace within themselves.

Under the Tree

2008

Under the Tree poster
10.0

The story follows three women in Bali, each facing their own life challenges. Maharani is a woman searching for her biological mother. Nian is a celebrity trying to escape her family troubles. Meanwhile, Dewi is a radio announcer who must confront the harsh realities of her life. These three women embark on a journey in Bali to find the meaning of life and peace within themselves.

Under the Tree

2008

Under the Tree poster
10.0

The story follows three women in Bali, each facing their own life challenges. Maharani is a woman searching for her biological mother. Nian is a celebrity trying to escape her family troubles. Meanwhile, Dewi is a radio announcer who must confront the harsh realities of her life. These three women embark on a journey in Bali to find the meaning of life and peace within themselves.

Under the Tree

2008

99 Names of Love poster
7.0

As an infotainment producer deals with a work crisis, a childhood friend, who's now a cleric, arrives to honor a religious request from her late father.

99 Names of Love

2019

Leaf on a Pillow poster
6.4

The Indonesian society is seen through a middle-aged lady's eyes in her daily encounters with the street children who work and live off the harsh and sleazy world of adults.

Leaf on a Pillow

1998

Leaf on a Pillow poster
6.4

The Indonesian society is seen through a middle-aged lady's eyes in her daily encounters with the street children who work and live off the harsh and sleazy world of adults.

Leaf on a Pillow

1998

Of Love and Eggs poster
10.0

Set in and around a mosque in sprawling Jakarta, Indonesia, during the Muslim holiday of Lebaran, the interwoven stories of family, faith and romantic love in this humorous yet poignant film are revealed through the eyes of kids.

Of Love and Eggs

2004

Of Love and Eggs poster
10.0

Set in and around a mosque in sprawling Jakarta, Indonesia, during the Muslim holiday of Lebaran, the interwoven stories of family, faith and romantic love in this humorous yet poignant film are revealed through the eyes of kids.

Of Love and Eggs

2004

Of Love and Eggs poster
10.0

Set in and around a mosque in sprawling Jakarta, Indonesia, during the Muslim holiday of Lebaran, the interwoven stories of family, faith and romantic love in this humorous yet poignant film are revealed through the eyes of kids.

Of Love and Eggs

2004

The Hijra poster
8.0

In 1912, Javanese activist Omar Said Tjokroaminoto co-founds the Sarekat Islam party to fight injustices of the Dutch East Indies' colonial regime.

The Hijra

2015

No artwork available
NR

Slank is a legendary rock band on the Indonesian scene, known for their politicized lyrics and activism, and for its fanatical fan base - known as "Slankers" - who see the band as something to coalesce around to promote peace and unity in their country. 'The Blue Generation' uniquely combines dance sequences, footage of live performances, interviews, and animations about Indonesia's political history in a gloriously energetic and inspiring manner.

The Blue Generation

2009

No artwork available
NR

Slank is a legendary rock band on the Indonesian scene, known for their politicized lyrics and activism, and for its fanatical fan base - known as "Slankers" - who see the band as something to coalesce around to promote peace and unity in their country. 'The Blue Generation' uniquely combines dance sequences, footage of live performances, interviews, and animations about Indonesia's political history in a gloriously energetic and inspiring manner.

The Blue Generation

2009

I Wanna Kiss You Once poster
6.5

A Papuan teenager becomes fixated on his first kiss after meeting a woman at the port, unaware that his father's fight for justice has put their family in grave danger.

I Wanna Kiss You Once

2004

I Wanna Kiss You Once poster
6.5

A Papuan teenager becomes fixated on his first kiss after meeting a woman at the port, unaware that his father's fight for justice has put their family in grave danger.

I Wanna Kiss You Once

2004

Chaotic Love Poems poster
6.0

A cheerful yet serious Indonesian Romeo and Juliet. A boy and a girl from the same district, but with difficult childhoods and other reasons not to acknowledge their love. Through the colourful and musical retro style - the 1970s came late to Indonesia - shines a chaotic political and social era.

Chaotic Love Poems

2016

Chaotic Love Poems poster
6.0

A cheerful yet serious Indonesian Romeo and Juliet. A boy and a girl from the same district, but with difficult childhoods and other reasons not to acknowledge their love. Through the colourful and musical retro style - the 1970s came late to Indonesia - shines a chaotic political and social era.

Chaotic Love Poems

2016

Love in a Slice of Bread poster
8.0

Mayang, Harris, and Topan were best friends since childhood. Mayang, a columnist in a female magazine, had been married to Harris, a professional, while Topan was still single and became a photographer. Mayang and Harris went for a vacation to solve their problem. Topan was invited to join them because eventually he intended to go to the same direction. On the trip, the problems of the three unraveled. Harris had sexual difficulty because of his past trauma. Mayang, who tried to understand and help, was almost unsuccessful. Turns out Topan still harboured his childhood love for Mayang. As for the climax, Harris was suspicious towards Mayang and Topan. A film that portrays sexual problem not in a vulgar way.

Love in a Slice of Bread

1991

Love in a Slice of Bread poster
8.0

Mayang, Harris, and Topan were best friends since childhood. Mayang, a columnist in a female magazine, had been married to Harris, a professional, while Topan was still single and became a photographer. Mayang and Harris went for a vacation to solve their problem. Topan was invited to join them because eventually he intended to go to the same direction. On the trip, the problems of the three unraveled. Harris had sexual difficulty because of his past trauma. Mayang, who tried to understand and help, was almost unsuccessful. Turns out Topan still harboured his childhood love for Mayang. As for the climax, Harris was suspicious towards Mayang and Topan. A film that portrays sexual problem not in a vulgar way.

Love in a Slice of Bread

1991

Soegija poster
7.2

This movie follows the story of Dutch East Indies' (now Indonesia) first indigenous bishop, Albertus Soegijapranata SJ, from his inauguration until the end of Indonesia's independence war (1940-1949).

Soegija

2012

Soegija poster
7.2

This movie follows the story of Dutch East Indies' (now Indonesia) first indigenous bishop, Albertus Soegijapranata SJ, from his inauguration until the end of Indonesia's independence war (1940-1949).

Soegija

2012

No artwork available
NR

Set in the remote highlands of Toraja, the story follows a noblewoman who keeps the preserved body of her adult son.

The Mortician

—

The Mirror Never Lies poster
NR

A small island is inhabited by members of the Bajo tribe, a nomadic fishing community of the Wakatobi Islands. After her father is lost at sea, twelve-year-old Pakis keeps treasuring the mirror he gave her, hoping that (according to Bajo belief) he will return and appear reflected in it. Then a young man comes into her life, threatening conflict between Pakis and her mother.

The Mirror Never Lies

2011

Memories of My Body poster
6.5

Juno was just a child when his father abandoned him from their village in Central Java. Abandoned and alone, he joins a Lengger dance centre where men shape their feminine appearance and movement. The sensuality and sexuality that came from the dance, mixed with the violent sociopolitical Indonesian environment, forces Juno to move from village to village.

Memories of My Body

2019

Memories of My Body poster
6.5

Juno was just a child when his father abandoned him from their village in Central Java. Abandoned and alone, he joins a Lengger dance centre where men shape their feminine appearance and movement. The sensuality and sexuality that came from the dance, mixed with the violent sociopolitical Indonesian environment, forces Juno to move from village to village.

Memories of My Body

2019