Laval, Québec. Outside, the temperature sat at a biting –15°C. But inside the André-Matthieu performance hall on Sunday afternoon, the atmosphere turned unexpectedly warm. More than 500 people filled the venue for the screening of “Bali Île de Merveilles” (Bali, Island of Wonders), a documentary by Canadian creative writer and filmmaker Ugo Monticone.

The event drew a diverse audience—Québec locals, Southeast Asia enthusiasts, and members of the Indonesian diaspora dressed in traditional attire—creating a colorful scene far removed from the icy streets of Laval. Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Muhsin Syihab, who attended in person, said he was proud to witness such a strong turnout for a film celebrating Indonesian culture.

Before the program began, the hall resonated with the shimmering tones of Balinese gamelan performed by Giri Kedaton, an ensemble based at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Music. The group, honored in August with a Cultural Award from the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, has spent three decades introducing Balinese music to Canadian audiences.

In his opening remarks, Monticone described the documentary as a personal tribute to Bali—its landscapes, its people, and its spirit. “I went to Bali as a tourist, but I fell in love with the place and returned as a filmmaker,” he said. “I want the people of Québec, and French speakers in Europe—France, Belgium, Switzerland—to know this magic. After watching this documentary, I believe many will want to visit Indonesia and discover Bali for themselves. I’m proud to be a ‘diplomat’ for Indonesia.”

A Screening Unlike Most

When the lights dimmed and the film began, the audience experienced something different from a typical documentary screening. Instead of relying solely on prerecorded narration, Monticone sat at the corner of the stage and narrated the film live. He read from his prepared script but frequently added spontaneous remarks that sparked laughter and deepened the audience’s engagement.

The hall filled with an atmosphere of curiosity and appreciation as viewers followed Monticone’s artistic lens across Bali’s landscapes. His live storytelling made the experience feel intimate, almost like a journey guided by a friend with a deep fondness for the island.

Ambassador Muhsin Syihab praised Monticone’s ability to portray Bali in its full complexity. “He has succeeded in capturing Bali’s arts, culture, history, natural beauty—even its spirituality and religious ceremonies,” he said. “This work provides new energy for Canadians to learn more about Bali and hopefully inspires them to visit and experience its culture firsthand.”

Audience reactions echoed that sentiment. “Bali looks like an extraordinary place to explore and enjoy nature,” said Stéphanie, one of the attendees. “I hope I can visit next year.”

The documentary takes viewers through sweeping rice terraces, volcanic landscapes, and brilliant blue waves breaking over coral reefs. It highlights the harmony between tradition and modernity in Balinese life—how art is woven into daily routines and how the island continues to enchant travelers from around the world.

Monticone also captures the warmth and generosity of Balinese communities, along with their deeply rooted values of environmental respect and spiritual balance. The result is a cinematic portrait of a place where serenity, creativity, and adventure coexist.

Cultural Diplomacy in Motion

The screening underscored the expanding role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening Indonesia–Canada relations. Last year, around 87,000 Canadians visited Indonesia, and officials hope that number could reach 100,000 this year. Events like this, the ambassador noted, help build people-to-people connections that complement the political ties reaffirmed during President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Ottawa in September.

The Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa has stepped up collaborations with Canadian creative industries, supporting initiatives that foster cultural exchange. Monticone’s documentary screening stands out as one of the year’s most successful examples—illustrating how culture can transcend language, climate, and geography.

For a few hours in a frozen Québec afternoon, Bali’s warmth, spirit, and artistry lit up a theater thousands of miles away—reminding everyone in the room that culture remains a universal language capable of bringing people closer together.

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