BINTAN ISLAND, Indonesia – A clutch of leading Hollywood figures including legendary film producer Edward R. Pressman and Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel will gather at The Sanchaya early this month as featured guests of an innovative new events series called Pala.
Organised by the luxurious new boutique property and high-profile Singapore-based events organiser Olga Iserlis, Pala aims to create a “modern Asian salon fostering intellectual and cultural exchange amongst Asia’s top players”.
Pala launches with an intimate overnight retreat at The Sanchaya on December 6 featuring Pressman of Wall Street, Thank You for Smoking, American Psycho, The Crow and Badlands fame and Patel, who has also starred in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Chappie and The Man Who Knew Infinity.
The guest list also includes veteran film producer Joseph N. Cohen, Academy Award winner, inventor and naturalist Dr Jim Frazier and leading Bollywood producer Aditya Shastri, who plan to share perspectives on the film industry during the event’s dining and fireside chats.
With social societies and clubhouses primarily for networking re-emerging in recent years, Pala will focus on bringing internationally-renowned thought leaders, artists, and bespoke experiences to the region.
“It’s no secret The Sanchaya’s design and hospitality draw deeply on the 18th and 19th century European salons that brought eminent people together to share their interests and experiences; and through Pala, we’re cementing this inspiration,” Iserlis said.
The name Pala is taken from Aldous Huxley's final novel, Island – the author's utopian response to his dystopian opus, Brave New World. Pala is the fictitious island-setting where Eastern and Western ideals fuse to create an enlightened community.
Pala will host future talks, events and other experiences at The Sanchaya and at various venues around the region.
