Discoveries from Indonesia World Cinema

Natasha finds difficulty in collecting her property, the legacy of her father, since it involves a corrupt international syndicate. For this purpose, she seeks help from Jack. (courtesy: Film Indonesia)

This rare Indonesian film (last to be produced by Runme Shaw) about a poor fisherman family with one young son Jarot and also expecting another. One day the husband Marto (Koesno Soedjarwadi) had to go on a long fishing trip with Jarot. Their fishing boat then got hit by a storm and sunk, separating them both.

Abdul Rohman is a student and one of the caretakers in the Kaliopak Cultural Islamic Boarding School. He has spent these last two years there. Process of finding true self, peace, and knowledge, he found in this place. Kaliopak Cultural Islamic Boarding School has become a ‘savannah’ of knowledge and art for him. This space has helped him in the process of channeling his idealism in his ideology of thought and views on life.

Rudi tries to avoid the terrifying prediction of being dead in a black coffin. He is frightened and tries to get rid of the coffin. Will the prediction come true?

Suharjo wanted to visit his wife tomb in Yogyakarta so he requested his son, Aldy to go with him.

Nia, an 18-year-old girl who became the breadwinner of her family after her parents divorced. Her life took a tragic turn when she was attacked, murdered, and raped by Andri on her way home from selling fried food. After her body was found, Nia's family and her heart-ill boyfriend faced deep grief, while Andri fled, haunted by guilt.

Tells the story of two teenagers Candice and Liam who have complicated personal problems in their lives, which are connected by Voices that are accidentally brought together by Time. They try to solve their problems together.

Yet another Indonesian fantasy tale of good vs. evil and the struggle to gain control of an heirloom sword, this time featuring a shape-shifting, brain-eating vampire in the bad corner.

When Death talks about the meaning of life.

Jenny Rose (Felicya Angelista), a cafe singer That exist in the city of Bandung. Jenny Rose almost every Night together with his band group on a gig Live for events at the cafe

The story of Bara (Arbani Yasiz) and Melati (Maizura) continues in Ada Dewa di Sisiku the Movie. Bara and Melati have now been in a relationship for three years, but Melati feels that their relationship is not progressing. Melati wants to take their relationship to a more serious level.

Donny and Selly return from their wedding reception, to make love at their fancy house. Soon, Selly is pregnant and sets up a nursery room. The work tires her and makes her lose the baby. Selly is in for more shocks when Donny brings Eva, her best friend, to stay at their house.

History repeats itself when a criminal with evil intention is reincarnated as a wealthy businessman after 600 years. Will there be a hero to stop him?

When Gagah had an accident near North Maluku he was saved by religious scholar, Kyai Ghufron. While recovering he learn a lot about Islam.

Intending to steal his diploma at night, Toni is faced with the choice of saving himself, his friendship with Doni, or the truth about the disappearance of a female student at his school.

Ahmad, a closeted gay Muslim man, is having his 25th birthday party with his mother and friends when he finds out that his boyfriend had just passed away.

The story takes place in a mental hospital. Many things are going on. There is Pesta (Bucek Depp), a junky who was moved from a prison to the hospital. He meets Beth (Ine Febriyanti), the daughter of a high-ranking government official, who asked that her daughter gets a special treatment, but this must remain a secret. There are a poet, a politician and a nurse who was an ex-patient, and Beth’s helper, also Rehan (Nurul Arifin) who has her own set of problems. The doctors at the hospital seem no different from the patients. There is also an artist who makes installation art works. His artistic doctrin is: the more complicated it is for a work of art to be understood, the better. It is unclear if the artist is the hospital 's patient, because he is never inside of the hospital but is always in the courtyard.

The Sequel of Gundala (2019)

A sad story meant to reduce the audience to tears. The cordial relationship between Irawan (Robert Syarief), the father of Yohana (Nike Ardilla), and Rini (Ade Irawan), the mother of Johan (Rano Karno), is disrupted due to Pak Irawan’s disapproval of the relationship between Yohana and Johan. In the meantime, Johan, who plays music with the older brother of Yohana (Sigit Subangun), attempts to prove that he is worthy of her. He enlists in the Indonesian Armed Forces along with Yohana’s brother. They are sent to East Timor. Just before he leaves, Johan is shocked to find out that Yohana is pregnant from rapes occurring during her recent abduction. Yohana later dies in an accident, but her child survives. Johan requests that his mother, Rini, take care of the infant Yosiana (Fitria Cintania).

When Rengganis’ love for a fellow student at her martial arts school is spurned, she steals his magical power and turns into a Siluman Laba-Laba (Spider Demon). She then attacks and murders innocent people until her teacher sends his prized pupil Senjoyo after her armed with magic.

Students Ario, Joshua and Dudi investigate the legend of Nyi Roro Kidul ("The South Seas Queen") in South Lauta. They dive underwater, find the body of a dead woman, bring it ashore and it comes back to life as the beautiful Neneng (Suzzanna). Trouble and death follow.

Bara wants to get assurance about his relationship with Demi (25), but Demi can’t provide it because she is afraid of commitment. The ups and downs of this relationship are getting more complex as Demi comes and goes as she pleases while Bara continues to keep his high expectations. As a writer, Bara reflects on his chaotic relationship in a book called Eminus Dolore. Rendezvous, togetherness, and farewell, all framed in fragments of memory. It is a story about a person trying to get the whole picture of his past and seeking closure. And it’s about someone who has fallen many times and tried to rise above all the trauma.

Irawani and Hidayat get engaged to each other. Irawani relates the story of her parents, Irawan and Sunarti. When the couple goes through a hard time, Irawan moves to Batavia to look for work and leaves his wife and daughter behind. But when he succeeds in the city, he gets carried away though it is his father-law, Sunarno, who employs him. After she grows up, Irawani becomes a singer and dancer, and Irawan is crazy about her. Knowing this, his new wife expels him from the house. So once again, Irawan becomes a beggar, just like the first time when he arrived in Jakarta.

Aqilla dreamed of becoming an astronaut and tried to win a vlog contest about space figures with prizes invited to the Outer Space Research Center in England. Disappointment because her uncle who is an astronomer must work in the UK and cannot help making a vlog to finally meet Aqilla with an Indonesian female astronaut who is conducting research on plants to live in space.

Karina never knows that Larasati is Danu’s lawful wife. Under economic pressure, Karina is willing to get married to Danu. Several days after their wedding, Larasati comes to confront Danu and Karina at their newly bought house. Larasati goes berserk but Danu is stronger. Larasati is tossed, falling upon her child, and both die tragically. Danu buries her and her child in his yard at night. As the consequence of the inappropriate burial, Larasati and her child awaken and seek revenge from Karina.

Diana and Gugun is a married couple who just bought a new house. They are busy looking for various kind of furniture to fill up their new home. One of the most important furniture is the bed. After the bed was placed in their new home, strange and unusual events started to occur.

Didi, loves to play marbles, and has a lucky marble that he calls Si Jimat (Lucky Charm). When his father sends him to buy a box of matches, he is tempted to play a game with his friends. Then a “sunatan” procession (children’s circumcision ceremony) passes by. His friends leave the game to follow the procession. Didi also forgets to take Si Jimat and the box of matches. Another boy finds the matches and accidentally starts a big fire. When Si Jimat is found nearby the burnt matches, Didi’s father is furious so Didi runs away from home and goes to the top of a chalk hill. Didi’s parents are frantic and when they can’t get him down from the hill, an Air Force helicopter finally rescues Didi.

Dewa’s only wish was a lifetime with Mia, regardless of the consequences. Mia, however, looked at the bigger picture; she couldn't bear the thought of him giving up everything for her. Her perspective shifted entirely after the plane crash, changing how she felt about their future.

Sebastian, a cold and highly disciplined courier, lives a quiet life defined by routine. Outside of work, he spends his time wandering through parks, eating ice cream, and riding public transportation with no particular destination. Simple rituals that fill the emptiness of his days. One day, he receives what appears to be a straightforward assignment, retrieve a teddy bear from a locker and deliver it to a designated location. The client’s instructions are clear, follow the orders and ask no questions. After taking the item, Sebastian begins to notice that something is off. Someone seems to be watching him. Soon after, a group of men with malicious intent begins following him through both the quiet and busy streets of Yogyakarta.

Beni, who has been dating Ida for a long time, is now interested in Ratmi, who becomes a queen of a competition by bribing the judges. The director of the biscuits factory where Ratmi works, uses her image as an advertisement for the biscuits. When Ratmi’s pet goat disturbs her neighbour, Ida’s widowed sister, Beni sells the goat and he uses sale’s commission to date Ida. Other comedic incidents are strung together in this generic comedy.

Set at the end of the Majapahit era, Bre Wirabhumi, son of Hayamwuruk, but born from a concubine, demands his right to be king of Majapahit. The kingdom is then ruled by Wikramawardhana, son-in-law of Hayamwuruk. To rival Majapahit, Bre Wirabhumi creates the Pamotan kingdom and looks for allies amongst other kingdoms. This creates confusion among the kingdoms friendly with Majapahit. Brama Kumbara (Fendy Pradana) from the Madangkara kingdom tries to settle the dispute. What happens instead is a misunderstanding that leads to the death of Brama’s envoy. Even worst, the lover of the murderer, Lasmini (Murti Sari Dewi), takes revenge by kidnapping Brama’s wife. The conflict then escalates into the Paregreg war between Majapahit and Pamotan.

Lovers Club is a club that aims to help people who have trouble in romance. As a member and chairman, Jamal is assisted by the club when desiring Samara even though he knows Samara has a boyfriend named Ruben. On the other hand Samara's parents want her daughter to be paired with a dangdut singer, Hercules. Hercules asks his father, Zeus, to apply for Samara. But, Samara still choose Ruben. Ruben's wish to marry Samara, is heard by Don Carlo, the mob boss, Cokro's business enemy, Ruben’s dad. So Don Carlo kidnapps Ruben and Samara and makes them a ransom guarantee of Rp 10 billion .

Three generations of one family weather the challenges of living in modern-day Indonesia, the largest Muslim community on the globe.

About a group of teenagers, one of whom forgot his attributes for his final ceremony, his other friends accompanied him shopping at the school cooperative, but one of them remembered his school days because of the collection of polaroids on display.

Abimanyu (16) struggles to understand the importance of health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. While his father, a dedicated healthcare worker, is on the front lines battling the virus, the boy often neglects basic safety measures like wearing a mask. But a sudden, life-changing moment forces him to reconsider his actions and the true cost of the pandemic.

Legend about Loro Jonggrang's love story with Bandung Bondowoso. When he was newly appointed as Senopati Baka, he was assigned to attack the Pengging Kingdom. However, while he was there, he was recognized as the crown prince of Pengging, who had apparently been kidnapped by the Baka people when he was still a child. The angry King Baka personally led an attack on Pengging and was killed by Bandung Bondowoso. The son of the Baka king, Loro Jonggrang saw his father die and held a grudge against Bandung Bondowoso. When Bandung Bondowoso was about to propose, Loro Jonggrang also put forward a condition to build a thousand temples. When there was one less temple, Loro Jonggrang made the cock crow as if it was morning. Bandung, knowing that Loro Jonggrang was cheating, cursed it, making it the thousandth and largest temple.

Mr. Parto gambles away his house and then dies, but his spirit continues to "help" his doctor son by causing him as much misfortune as possible.

Dreaming of becoming a singer since childhood, Nike Ardilla began to show her singing talent and interest in the world of art. Nike Ardilla has to face all kinds of obstacles.

A lovers are on their way to fulfill their vacation list. But 4 years of relationship is not a guarantee of a pair of fateful love for each other. Who would have thought that this trip would be their last trip together?

Gela, the son of a widow, lives an unruly life with his friend, Tomi. When he meets Astrid on the street, a fight breaks out and someone is killed. Gela goes to jail, since Astrid is not allowed to give testimony by her father, though she knows exactly what happened. After his release, their relationship is continued and they fall in love with each other.

After graduating from high school, Lupus was not accepted at a public university and forbade his mother to sell inherited jewelery so that Lupus could enter a private school and cover his debts. Lupus asks for a down payment from the magazine where he often writes with the promise of writing about teenage girls who like to come home early. He then interviewed and approached Pia {Paramitha Rusady} who went to the disco every night because the house was crowded. His widowed father only scolded him but was rarely at home. Disco is a place of entertainment. She's not like other disco girls, who are also sex-free etc. Writing about Pia had invited misunderstandings, so Lupus preached. And it is said that his father then wanted to change his attitude. Pia's story is intertwined with: catching frogs, applying for jobs that turn out to be unsuccessful.

A desperate young woman whose mother is terminally ill is forced to go to work in a beauty salon cum brothel until her angry friend loses it and goes on a rampage.

Nadia does not want her widowed father Bramasto to marry Astria as she's sure that her new stepmother is not a good woman. Her suspicions are correct. After the marriage, Astria has an affair with Lukito, Bramasto’s black-magic-practicing brother. Astria then becomes involved in Satanic rituals and serves as Lukito’s servant. Her duty is to seduce men and then sacrifice them to Satan for Lukito’s benefit. Can Nadia stop them?

Gina and Mutia are two best friends, searching for the whereabouts of Celuluk, a demon commonly known for residing in a papaya tree or Gedang Renteng. Gina, who was initially unenthusiastic, guided the Celuluk summoning procession half-jokingly and was instead faced with an unexpected situation.

Because of his wife’s encouragement, Prabowo enters a dangerous business and is eventually imprisoned. While waiting for his trial, his business partner, Wahyuni the divorcee, whom he also loves, bails him out. Their children Ani and Reni, who have to downgrade from their mansion to a flat, suffer from the shock of change. They resort to drugs and prostitution to escape reality. While the mother is sick, Wahyuni becomes intimate with Prabowo. Once found out, they slowly try to solve each problem. Wahyuni is willing to reconcile the entire family. So Rini attempts to become a photographer, by following her boyfriend, a tour guide in Bali. There is another character, a journalist, who comes in and out of the film, and functions as a commentator and witness of their lives. The dialogue veers on philosophical messages as director, Slamet Rahardjo, tries to represent both the lower and upper classes, mixing his narrative style with realism.

Udin is a high school student with high self-confidence. He also has a special ability where his wink can make all female students like him. Until he meets Bella, a transfer student who is captivated by Udin's charm without the influence of his power.

A tale of unrequited love between best friends, told through the daydreams of the boy who carries the torch.

Highlights about the first female Indonesian novelist, Sariamin Ismail, also known as Selasih.

A new round for another Epic Rap Battles of Presidency where this time around, three of Indonesian's president candidates for the 2024-2029 presidency run sought it out in the most EPIC RAP BATTLES.

As a result of a fight with a classmate, Dere was moved by Mar, her mother, to Yogyakarta. Mar, who raised Dere as a single parent, only wanted the best for her daughter. Dere never questioned Mar's decision, until she met her new friends. Dere began to doubt whether everything Mar did was really the best for her.

A group of middle schoolers meet and differ from each other. A form of singing unites them, as they get to know themselves, their environment, and Indonesia's heritage.

Nanang’s father leaves to study abroad thus Nanang and his mother live with his grandfather. Nanang is often teased by children of his age, so he prefers to play with his aunt, Lilis, who wants to be a singer. Grandfather does not approve of this, and gets angry when he finds out that Lilis will have a recording on national radio. Lilis is forbidden to sing again. But when grandfather listens to Lilis’ song on the radio, he is touched. When Nanang’s father returns, his friends stop teasing him.

Dirandra is a young man raised as a girl by his mother. This led to isolation and gossip, even from his father. He faced the choice of conforming to societal norms or embracing his mother's teachings. After his mother's death, he quietly held onto the desire to be like her while living with his father.

Tania, a blind girl, never gives up on her dream to see the world with her violin.

Ratna is the daughter of Mr. Barkah Bin Sadeli, a cosmetics scientist who uses plant extracts in his products. When Ratna accompanies her father and his assistant, Tiga, to find the "monkey palm" leaf for preventing wrinkles; she is kidnapped by Arde, and his henchmen, Kutil and Tumpal, who also wants the "monkey palm" leaf. But Ratna manages to hide in a cave. Then she finds a long haired man sleeping with a leopard. Unexpectedly, the unkempt man is kind but he does not understand human language. Suddenly the man hits his chest four times and then says "Tarzan". Tarzan then takes Ratna back home to the city on a horse. Arde, who has changed his name to Mamahi (shortened from Master Mata Hitam or Master with Dark Eye), discovers Tarzan’s arrival in the city.

Sanwani’s mother is too ambitious. She even dominates her children. In three months, Sanwani, the director of a company, has to get married. And her daughter Pratiwi is betrothed to Paijo, Sanwani’s friend. But Sanwani’s wedding has to be postponed for a year because of venereal disease. Together with Slamet, Sanwani has to receive daily injections by Poltak the head nurse.

Una is the little girl who is sulking, then her older sister sincerely seduces her by reading a story, then they read it together and they find magic, knowledge and a moral message in the story.