Brilio.net - "Tale of the Land" is a film inspired by the lives of indigenous people in Kalimantan, combining elements of reality and fantasy. Welcoming the world premiere of the film at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival, KawanKawan Media released the official trailer for the film "Tale of the Land" which is set in nature and open waters.
In the festival, "Tale of the Land" will compete in the New Currents category. This film is Loeloe Hendra's first work as a director and writer. Produced by Yulia Evina Bhara and Amerta Kusuma from KawanKawan Media, known for their award-winning films, the production of "Tale of the Land" was carried out with an intimate and innovative approach.
They managed to overcome the challenges of the uncertain environment of Borneo with an effective production strategy. With 90% of the filming taking place on water, the film creates an immersive experience for the audience.
The story focuses on May, a Dayak girl played by Shenina Cinnamon. The trauma of losing her parents in a land conflict makes May unable to step on the ground. She lives with her grandfather, Tuha (played by Arswendy Bening Swara), in a floating house on a lake. For director Loeloe Hendra, May's character is a symbol of the challenges faced by indigenous people in the modern era.
doc. KawanKawan Media
Loeloe Hendra explains that the film combines her childhood imagination with the current social reality of Kalimantan society. She raises reflective questions about the relationship between humans and their ancestral land.
"From here I want to show that something has changed and shifted. The condition that occurs to May's character is a form of my question about the situation. What if humans cannot live on the land? What if we have a large land, but we can no longer set foot on it? What about someone who was born in the land of his ancestors, but was then forced to leave until death came and could not return to his homeland." said Loeloe Hendra as quoted by brilio.net from the press release, Wednesday (2/10).
KawanKawan Media is very happy to combine the talents of Shenina Cinnamon and Arswendy Bening Swara in this film. Both have shown extraordinary acting skills in previous works. Angga Yunanda and Yusuf Mahardika also join the cast.
Producers Yulia Evina Bhara and Amerta Kusuma revealed the challenges in the film production process, including finding the right time to shoot during the rainy season in the inland river delta. They had to find a safe way to shoot amidst unpredictable weather. They expressed their joy at the film's premiere at the Busan International Film Festival.