Matt Dunning, 2014, 60 minutes

The Stirring of a Thousand Bells is a pair of experimental art documentaries that explore the fascinating Indonesian gamelan, one of the ancient music traditions of the world. In Central Java, it's still a part of everyday life, and an important cultural custom. A complex wonder of human invention, it comes from a timeless world of aural tradition, contemplation, and relaxed living. Experience Java's most cosmic music festival, Sekaten, where the old world and the new are colliding, creating captivating images and sound, then be enchanted with melodies and meditative dance from Mangkunegaran Palace, with arresting images from throughout Java. The film is being presented by director and Buffalo native Matt Dunning, who spent two years living in Java playing gamelan music. With intro to the films followed by a Q&A.

The Stirring of a Thousand Bells now available as a DVD from Sublime Frequencies.