From Laughter to Tears at the 2023 Layar Indonesiana Screening
As Jakarta Film Week 2024 entered its third day, selected films from the 2023 Layar Indonesiana were screened. Layar Indonesiana is a program by the Ministry of Culture, through the Directorate of Film, Music, and Media, providing young Indonesian filmmakers a platform for creating short films. The 2023 edition of Layar Indonesiana centered on the theme of “Cultural Dynamics,” with participants submitting story ideas for consideration.
Since its inception in 2021, the program has seen annual growth in applications, with 675 entries submitted from across Indonesia in 2023 alone. To date, 30 short films have received funding through this program, with ten selected each year. Several funded films have achieved recognition at film festivals, both locally and internationally.
This year, four out of the ten funded films were selected to premiere at Jakarta Film Week 2024, held at CGV Grand Indonesia on Friday, October 25, 2024. The films included Kelompok Penerbang Roh, Kudapan Rindu Rasa, Malam Terasa Main-Main, and Pau Lipu.
Audiences attending Jakarta Film Week 2024 not only had the chance to watch these four films but also had the opportunity to interact directly with the program organizers and filmmakers. Among them were Bilbo Luansa, director of Kudapan Rindu Rasa, and Fanni Mardhotilah, director of Malam Terasa Main-Main.
Malam Terasa Main-Main follows two orphans, Aldi and Eka, who mischievously compete for charitable donations, including those from political parties campaigning at the time. According to Fanni, the film’s storyline reflects real-life situations observed by the crew. The playful banter between Aldi and Eka brought laughter to the audience, and subtle, humorous details—such as a mother and child presenting their election numbers to document their aid distribution—added to the film’s charm.
In contrast to the lighthearted approach of Malam Terasa Main-Main, Kudapan Rindu Rasa delivers a more poignant story. It centers on the relationship between Gian, a young man who has left his hometown of Singkawang, and his father, Han. Gian returns home, believing his father is ill, only to discover that Han fabricated the story to see him after four years apart. Tension builds as Han asks Gian to take over the family’s Choipan shop. When Gian ultimately chooses to continue his life away, he begins to understand the true meaning of “home.”
Bilbo shared that the inspiration for Kudapan Rindu Rasa came to him one late night while sitting outside a convenience store in Yogyakarta. He was struck by a feeling of longing—not for people, but for the sense of identity found in familiar traditions and food. At that moment, he wrote the premise of the film.
Choipan, a central element in the film, was chosen intentionally; it is typically ordered in quantities of ten, symbolizing a gathering meal best enjoyed with others. This makes Choipan a powerful metaphor for reunions and connection. The film raises the question, “What are we really searching for in life?” To Bilbo, this represents the notion that in our pursuit of certain goals, we often distance ourselves from the very things that should be closest to us.
In closing, Bilbo shared a heartfelt message for those living away from home: “Remember, going home isn’t about a place but about people. Ultimately, we return to those who support everything we do. Don’t distance yourself from them; they are the ones who truly stand by you.”
In addition to the films from Layar Indonesiana 2023, Jakarta Film Week 2024 features an array of other screenings. For more information, visit www.jakartafilmweek.com and follow @jakartafilmweek on social media. Don’t miss this chance to be part of Jakarta’s international cinema celebration!
Nabila Dwiputri | Nanda Hadiyanti