In a town where pleasure equals being possessed by spiritual beings, Bayu aspires to be the shaman of a trance party so he can fundraise enough money to prevent an impending eviction.

Levitating is a visceral ride through the esoteric world of trance dance hypnosis, led by Bayu, a young, talented spirit channeler. His powerful flute can transport open-hearted dancers to inhabit creature energies from the land and usher them into a collective hallucination realm.

But modernizing forces surrounding Bayu and his instrument threaten with increasingly distracting elements, which he must learn how to balance and integrate into his focus so that his flute maintains the ability to care for those it possesses.

Director Wregas Bhanuteja expertly wields the languages of music, dance, joy, pain, banter, and narrative power in this outstanding coming-of-age film that is also a tale of how an Indigenous community comes together — and stays together — through its own traditions to withstand capitalist forces. — SF

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1).