Directed by: Riri Riza
Starring: Gudino Soares, Petrus Beyleto, Putri Moruk
Run time: 120 min
Starring: Gudino Soares, Petrus Beyleto, Putri Moruk
Run time: 120 min
In the spirit of neo realism just like The Kid with a Bike and so many Iranian films, the newest collaboration between Riri Riza and Mira Lesmana (they are very successfull with Laskar Pelangi and Sang Pemimpi) is very satisfying. Bear in mind, if you are the sort of moviegoer who likes only mindless mainstream movies, this is not for you, but for those who wanted to see something different this is the right one.
In 1999 the referendum which lead to the independence of Timor Leste is in chaos. Riots and murders happened as civil war broke. Those who supported for integration run to East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia and those who wanted independence stay in Timor Leste.
In 1999 the referendum which lead to the independence of Timor Leste is in chaos. Riots and murders happened as civil war broke. Those who supported for integration run to East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia and those who wanted independence stay in Timor Leste.
The story itself set 13 years after the riot as teenager Joao (Gudino Soares) and his father, Ronaldo (Petrus Beyleto) chose to stay at Atambua, Indonesia (border city between Indonesia and Timor Leste). Actually Ronaldo left his wife and daughter in Timor Leste. Joao himself missed his mother by listening to her voice on an old tape recorder. Joao who works as a motorcycle rider for hire suddenly fallen for Nikia (Putri Moruk), a new girl who came from Kupang and looks mysterious.
Life is hard in Atambua, and it looks so much different than Indonesia's major cities. It seems time stops in the 90s there. For many Indonesians, Atambua is a strange land, as if it is another country but yet it is still in Indonesia. The whole film is in Tetun, the regional language, but the strength is not in the dialogue but in the silence of the visual and the inner struggle of the characters.
Embracing neo realism, the cinematography is stunning without trying to gloss it out since it looks natural. Although the back story is about the event in 1999, the story didn't fall to become preachy and boring, in fact it is quite simple and solid. The casting of unknown actors and actress help to strengthened the neo realistic image of the film.
Limited release in Indonesia, I think the timing is not right since the cinemas here are still busy with Skyfall although the film itself is good and offer many viewers a whole new story form a part of Indonesia not so many people know of.
In the end, Riri gives us a question; why does politics and countries divide families? What is nationalism and the most important of all a statement that a blood relationship and family is stronger than anything.
The 39 Degrees Celsius (Americans, we use metric system here) means that in that body temperature, a human body considered to almost reach a critical point and combining it with the title, it could mean that these characters are living their life in the edge.
Life is hard in Atambua, and it looks so much different than Indonesia's major cities. It seems time stops in the 90s there. For many Indonesians, Atambua is a strange land, as if it is another country but yet it is still in Indonesia. The whole film is in Tetun, the regional language, but the strength is not in the dialogue but in the silence of the visual and the inner struggle of the characters.
Embracing neo realism, the cinematography is stunning without trying to gloss it out since it looks natural. Although the back story is about the event in 1999, the story didn't fall to become preachy and boring, in fact it is quite simple and solid. The casting of unknown actors and actress help to strengthened the neo realistic image of the film.
Limited release in Indonesia, I think the timing is not right since the cinemas here are still busy with Skyfall although the film itself is good and offer many viewers a whole new story form a part of Indonesia not so many people know of.
In the end, Riri gives us a question; why does politics and countries divide families? What is nationalism and the most important of all a statement that a blood relationship and family is stronger than anything.
The 39 Degrees Celsius (Americans, we use metric system here) means that in that body temperature, a human body considered to almost reach a critical point and combining it with the title, it could mean that these characters are living their life in the edge.
2 comments:
"Those who supported for Independence run to East Nusa Tenggara"-->
Independence or Indonesia?
Sorry, my mistake. I already fixed it :D
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