The Ancient Mountain Warden

"In “Guriang Gunung,” I attempt to interpret the spiritual essence of Mount Tangkuban Parahu, tracing the delicate relationship between humans and nature through the ancient myth of “Sangkuriang” and the contemporary indigenous ritual “Ngertakeun Bumi Lamba.” These cultural archives convey that the mountain is a living cosmic axis that demands respect. However, modern humanity has drifted into a dangerous anthropocentric perspective. By utilizing metaphorical costumes, masks, and movements adapted from natural elements, I present nature not merely as a passive landscape, but as the main character—a living entity that speaks, moves, and possesses its own agency to live or die. This work directly responds to the theme “Future Memories” by excavating ancestral wisdom to reshape our ecological future. The myth and ritual featured in the film are not static relics of the past; they are active, evolving documentations of our relationship with the changing environment. By portraying the natural elements as the dwelling place of the 'Guriang' (guardian spirits), the film challenges the modern exploitation of the earth. “Guriang Gunung” dares to remember the sacred interconnectedness we have lost, using these cultural memories as a blueprint to dream of a more balanced, sustainable world. In an era facing severe ecological crises, this film serves as an immersive artistic bridge, demonstrating that the only way to envision a viable future is by deeply honoring and preserving the spiritual roots of our past."