Nostalgia for the 90s: Tabanan's Former Cinema Revived Through Outdoor Screenings

A different atmosphere was evident recently at the former Tabanan Theatre building in the Pasar Tabanan area of Bali. The building, usually quiet, dark, and even considered spooky, was bustling with dozens of residents who came to reminisce about the 1990s. The structure, which had been neglected for more than a decade, was revived thanks to an outdoor film screening event titled ‘Kembali 90 #2’. This activity was organised through a collaboration between the Tabanan art community, PALKA, and Asa Films. Without lavish decorations, a nostalgic ambience was successfully created using only a 2x3 metre screen and neatly arranged rows of red plastic chairs. Despite its simplicity, residents’ enthusiasm was high. Most of the audience were people who had experienced the Tabanan Theatre’s glory days. The film screened was the iconic 1990 production ‘Jaka Swara’, starring Rhoma Irama and Camelia Malik. One audience member deeply immersed in the nostalgia was Wati (58), a glasses trader who has been selling at Pasar Sari Harapan since 1990. Wati admitted to having a strong emotional connection with the building, as she started her business there right after getting married. ‘The screening of this old film brings back memories of my youth. Back then, this complex was the community’s darling,’ said the woman originally from Lumajang, East Java. She said the lively atmosphere was a remedy for her longing for the market’s golden era, which is now slowly quietening down. ‘Of course I miss it. I still remember how busy it used to be, especially during the Galungan and Kuningan holidays,’ said the woman who now lives in Sanggulan Village. Meanwhile, Wayan Dwitanaya from PALKA explained that the event was a collaboration with Asa Films to revitalise public spaces in Tabanan. The former Tabanan Theatre was chosen because the building holds significant historical value as an entertainment centre and a gathering place for young people in the 1990s. ‘This is actually the second film screening. The first was in February 2026, when we screened Lupus,’ Dwitanaya said. The presence of traders from Pasar Sari Harapan, located beneath the building, was a particular highlight for the organisers. They view the traders as living witnesses who experienced the building’s heyday decades ago before it fell into disrepair. The organisers plan to continue developing this activity, not just as entertainment, but also as a useful discussion space for the people of Tabanan.