Ten Indonesian films will compete in the biennial Asean Film Festival and Awards 2017, or AIFFA, on May 4 to 6 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
The ten films will be a part of around 100 films produced by Southeast Asian filmmakers. The number showsa sign of improvement considering there were only threeIndonesian films participated in 2015 "Soekarno", "Sakola Rimba" and "Cahaya dari Timur: Beta Maluku".
Here are the ten films competing for this year's festival and award:
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1. Salawaku
via YouTube
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The film narrates the story of Saras, starred by Karina Salim, who was drifted in an island in Maluku before she met Salawaku (Elko Kastanya), a boy who sailed to search his missing brother.
The film received eight nominations and won three categories, including best cinematography, best supporting actress, best child supporting actor in Indonesian Film Festival (FFI). Thisfilm also won an award at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival.
2. Ziarah
via Twitter
This movieuses Javanese language on its dialogues and narratesa story of Mbah Sri, old woman in search of her husband's grave as she wants to be buried beside him when she dies.
The film is nominated for Citra Award in 2016 FFI and has been screened in some international festivals, including the Salamindanaw Asian Film in the Philippines.
3. Turah
via Wikipedia
Another film practicing Javanese language on itsdialoges.
The film is based on true event ofa small village near a port in Tegal, uncovering the life of locals who are willing to become laborers without being paid as they are given permission to stay on their land by the landlord.
4. Surat Dari Praha
via Visinema Pictures
The film featuring Julie Estelle, Tio Pakusadewo, Widyawati and Rio Dewanto wasinspired by the story of Indonesian students living in Prague. They can't return to their country due to the political situation after the September 30 movement in 1966.
The film earned six nominations in 2016 FFI despite failing to win Citra Award. "Surat Dari Praha" was awarded the best picture, best director, best actor and best actress in 2016 Usmar Ismail Award.
5. Athirah
via Twitter
This filmof Athirah Kalla's story (Jusuf Kalla's mother) was nominated for best film in 2016 FFI. Cut Mini won the best lead actress and the film achieved six awards from Citra Awards.
6. Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2
via Wikipedia
The sequel of Rangga and Cinta's love story in "Ada Apa Dengan Cinta" (2002) is one of most anticipated Indonesian movies last year. Screened both in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, the film won two Citra awards for Best Theme Song and Best Original Score.
7. Jingga
via Twitter
Lola Amaria was appointed to direct the movie telling about four blind teen, Jingga, Marun, Nila and Magenta who form a band in the school for children with special needs where they study. The story revolves around Jingga's struggle evokes after heturned blind.
8. Sunya
via Twitter
This drama film raises Javanese culture as its main theme to tell the life of Bejo, a man with tons of mystical experience from befriending Rohman, his unseen companion, until meeting a fairy and giant. The situation turns more complicated when Bejo tried to save his dying grandmother.
The film is adapted from Eka Kurniawan's short story, "Jimat Sero".
9. Istirahatlah Kata-kata
via YouTube
This film tells the story ofhuman rights activist Wiji Thukul who was a vocal critic of Indonesian government until he went missing in 1998, along with a number of other youth activists.
The movie starred Gunawan Maryanto, Marissa Anitta, Melanie Subono, Eduwart Boang, Davy Yunan and Arswendy Nasution.
10. Super Didi
via Twitter
The film stars Vino G Bastian, Karina Nadila, Ira Maya Sopha, Mathias Muchus and two newcomers Anjanique Reney and Aviela Reyna. The drama comedy is telling the struggle of Arka (Vino G Bastian), a father who is forced to take care of his two children after his wife left him.
Have you watched all of those movies? If yes, which ones are your favorite?