ONE day in Yogyakarta. Garin Nugroho is in the middle of a group of male and female dancers. “Try buying a mask,” says the well-known filmmaker to a member of his staff.

Various masks are then brought from the market. There are masks of Spider-Man, Petruk, Gareng, a red skull, a cow, a lion, a cat, and a chicken.

“Hmm, now dance, improvising,” says the filmmaker born on June 6, 1961. “How should we dance?” asks one of dancers. “Lo