Watch Legong: Dance of the Virgins

Legong: Dance of the Virgins is a silent Indonesian film that premiered in 1935. Shot in Bali by Dutch filmmakers, it is renowned for its beautiful, authentic depiction of traditional Balinese culture and its stunning visual aesthetic. The story of Legong centers around two sisters, Saplak and Saplak's younger sister, who are both trained in the traditional Balinese dance form known as the Legong. An important event in their village is coming up: the king is to be entertained by a group of young virgins who will perform the Legong dance in his honor. The sisters are both selected to perform, but a tragic love triangle threatens to disrupt their chance to perform.

Poetoe Aloes Goesti and Bagus Mara Goesti play the male leads in the film. Poetoe Aloes Goesti is a handsome prince who travels to the village to oversee the dance rehearsals. He becomes infatuated with Saplak's younger sister, and the two fall in love. However, Saplak is also in love with the prince and is devastated when she realizes her younger sister has stolen his heart.

The film's central themes revolve around the complexities of love and betrayal. Saplak struggles with her feelings of jealousy towards her sister and begins to unravel emotionally. The tension builds between the two sisters culminating in a dramatic confrontation that sets the stage for the final Legong dance performance.

One of the most notable aspects of Legong is its striking visual style. The filmmakers used pioneering techniques to capture the vibrant colors and intricate patterns of traditional Balinese costumes and settings. This film helped put Balinese culture on the map in the west and inspired many other filmmakers to explore exotic locales and cultures.

Another standout element of Legong is the use of traditional Balinese music and dance. The Legong dance form is a classical Balinese style that is rarely seen outside of Bali. The film beautifully showcases the intricate hand movements, gesturing, and facial expressions that are required to tell a story through dance.

Overall, Legong: Dance of the Virgins is a stunning visual masterpiece that tells a timeless story of love, jealousy, and tragedy. It is a vital piece of cinematic history and remains as relevant today as it was when it first premiered over 85 years ago.