A comeback After last year's absence, I tried to resume records of Indonesian films that were notable throughout the year. The strings are still made in alphabetical order, because indeed the motivation here is not looking for the best and which are more than the others, but rather appreciating the world of Indonesian film itself * very seriously *. The following are 10 Indonesian films that I think are appropriate for the title for each reason. Again, in alphabetical order.
27 Steps of May
sutradara Ravi Bharwani
Reflecting on two sides of life for a trauma of violence: the victim and the only closest person left. Many symbols, but not to the point of confusion, instead makes even more concerned. The performance of the actors is class champion.
Bebas
sutradara Riri Riza
Playing in two periods at once, centered on the value of friendship and nostalgia. The local version of the Korean film, Sunny (2011) is skillfully Indonesianized various aspects of the story, so that it still feels natural and has a taste. The soundtrack list is annoying.
Bumi Manusia
sutradara Hanung Bramantyo
Roman films set in a large-scale colonial period are a risk rarely taken in the world of Indonesian cinema. So, I'm thankful that films like Bumi Manusia have been produced properly and aired (and sold). Perfect? Certainly not. However, the best score of this film is that it can make the duration of 3 hours not hard to follow and the audience does not lack information. That's a big achievement.
Dua Garis Biru
sutradara Gina S. Noer
The film is marketed with cute visual skills, but is worked on with deep thought. An up-to-date version of the topic of Indonesian teen pregnancy is not just fueling discussions, but is also presented with moral and emotional sensitivity.
Imperfect
sutradara Ernest Prakasa
Ernest Prakasa continues the tradition of raising a simple but actual premise in his comedy. Departing from the social tendencies in evaluating the appearance of physical bias, especially women, the ultimate goal of this film is clearly visible, namely learning about self-acceptance and sensibility towards others. Fortunately, the dish is very light and the packaging is witty, it could even be Ernest's most humorous film.
Keluarga Cemara
sutradara Yandy Laurens
A reinterpretation of the story of a family who lost privilege (Twitter's term for 'rich people suddenly poor') who apparently managed to maintain the spirit of the stories he adapted (I myself was familiar with his TV series), with a touch that is relevant to the times now, and an extra spark on the emotional side. Conflict mapping and skillful character, selection and direction of the players are also careful. The message is the same, that the focus is not on how to become rich again like the stories of motivators, but how to preserve the most valuable treasure, namely ... * insert theme song *.
Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku
sutradara Garin Nugroho
I have repeatedly pointed out, a Garin Nugroho is a type of filmmaker who "it's up to mas Garin wrote". The premise is quite abstract: the history of violence that forms the identity of a lengger dancer, complete with the influence of cultural, social, economic, political, geographic, and belief aspects. Likewise how to speak is somewhat challenging (a.k.a. I don't seem to understand fully, hahaha). It's just that, Garin's skill and artistry in executing scenes is still and always captivating, which cannot yet be matched or even thought of by any filmmaker.
Perempuan Tanah Jahanam
sutradara Joko Anwar
Joko Anwar presents a new scene in this country's horror-thriller genre. How relieved I am that the appearance of a "haunted village" looks like an actual village, likewise the mythology to be built feels still in line with our local myths, so it is not difficult to enter the suspension of disbelief. Yes, if it is scary and exciting, it is necessary.
Terlalu Tampan
sutradara Sabrina Rochelle Kalangie
This film is the best example of the synergy between the absurd concept (this is a comic adaptation) and the same absurd cultivation. There is nothing to be realized from the idea "a young man must be hidden because his delinquency can cause unrest and mass chaos". Carried out in a friendship plot and a teenage romance, the most appropriate step for this film is to treat everything as wacky as possible, but with a visual arrangement and controlled rhythm of humor, making it fun to watch it.
Twivortiare
sutradara Benny Setiawan
With a presentation that is not too fancy, the main view of this film is the acting concerts of Reza Rahadian and Raihaanun as a young couple who are married, divorced, then close again and continue to remarry, but again have problems. Thanks to them, the audience can be sucked into looking and following the ups and downs of their characters' lives, trying to absorb their respective motivations and dilemmas, until finally realizing that one is not entirely wrong and the other is not completely right.