Bitter Honey 2014

Bali is famously regarded as a tourist paradise, yet the reality for many Balinese women tells a more complex and troubling tale. Approximately 10% of Balinese families engage in polygamous relationships, with men often adding multiple brides without obtaining consent from their current spouses.

Documented over seven years, Bitter Honey serves as a groundbreaking examination of the lives within these families. Women from various polygamous unions candidly share their experiences of coercion, betrayal, and domestic violence, as well as their courageous quests for empowerment and equal rights.

In a society that heavily favors male authority, these women frequently find themselves with a limited voice to influence or challenge the circumstances of their domestic lives. Despite Bali’s reputation as a vibrant tropical getaway, local, national, and international observers often choose to ignore these pressing issues.

Bitter Honey not only brings to light the struggles faced by Balinese co-wives but also highlights the efforts of those working diligently to protect and empower them. The film aspires to ignite a broader dialogue regarding contemporary polygamy and women’s rights in Indonesia. Through these stories, it hopes to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of a society that many view through a romanticized lens.