Saturday, September 26, 2026
Some weeks ago, there were consecutive weekends where I was watching Indonesian movies. I started with the first Agak Laen. I was actually at home when this movie was out and I did recall my cousin said why not watch that with your mom in the cinema. I didn't because I wasn't sure I was going to like it, what with its ghost comedic theme. I eventually got around to watch it because the second one was such a big blockbuster in Indonesia beating Avengers: Endgame, so I was curious and before I watch the second one, I thought go to the beginning. The two movies are not related actually, it's just the cast are the same. I wouldn't say both movies are super exceptional in its story, but I have to admit I laughed a lot. The first one has a better story I think. It's about a haunted house in a carnival that found success because it's haunted by a man who accidentally died there. I even like that it didn't give a happy ending, there's consequences - though we must admit in Indonesia true to reality, consequences happen more often and more severely (in relation to the crime) to the poor people. One scene that struck me in the first one was when it was kinda throwing shade to our then so-called minister of everything. The character didn't say anything bad, but you know how a shade can also come in the form of a compliment. I guess it hit more because I live in Singapore and over here I guess the government adopts a Will Smith mentality of keep my name out of your mouth kinda thing. Will I get in trouble just by writing that? No one reads this though right. Anyways, the second one, the funniest scene was perhaps when the non-muslim characters showed up overly dressed up in an Islamic prayer meeting because they thought it's formal and an "event". The people attending the prayer thought they're someone important and that led them to actually give an impromptu sermon. The fact that this second one is so so successful I guess indicate that the people see the funny in it above what some other people may think as a blasphemous act of a non-muslim pretending and preaching? I really hope so. Some may argue what's with religions being involved in all this or be brought up at all, but as Indonesians who are expected to believe in God, to have God guide your way, then I think why not, why not have it out in the open and talk about it, about how we could be different or the same, about what we don't understand in the other religion. What matters is in the end is that you are my friends and we're gonna ride 'till the end :D That's how the Agak Laen crew is all about truly in the end.
After those, I watched Ghost in the Cell. I was quite excited to watch it though I was worried about it being too gory. It tells the story of a spirit haunting a prison and killing people with negative aura violently and then making installation art with the victim's body part. The deaths are very gory, but I managed to sit through it without covering my eyes and I laughed way so much more. Over here the social commentary was even sharper. I watched it without subtitle and I'm curious what the English subtitle is like because I think actually some of the comments is applicable not only in Indonesia. When a newcomer came to the prison and got an orientation from an inmate, the newcomer asked where the thugs at. The inmate was like, the thugs are not here, the thugs join community organization, which I know my translation is not good but picture it, an example like in America see who join Proud Boys and stuff. That same inmate also said something along the line that when the majority is hostile to the minority, it's not a terror act, it's rights. This has echoes not in Indonesia only. Then there's also a dig about the majority religion which is also applicable to other countries. It might be Islam in Indonesia but in other countries, it could be the questionable megachurches. Then for everyone everywhere living in countries with corrupt officials, well you might not be moved much I suppose seeing what happen to the corrupt people in this movie. The last gory installation art that the spirit did felt rather apt. I don't know which film Indonesia will send as its representative to the Oscar, but I think this might be a good choice. Not that I think it will win because competition is hard, but because it's different and at least people who watch it will be entertained. It's very funny and as an Indonesian watching it, I wonder if I was picking up other shades being thrown as well. You know how bad Indonesia is, I'm kinda glad that movies that have some criticism of the government, officials, talk about social issues, they still get made and not banned.
The last thing I want to talk about is no na which I have been watching and listening recently. Being older, I'm clueless about what's the trend especially in music. I only found out about them because of a CNN article talking about the next big girl group and I was like Indonesia? Indonesia who? I was like one-year late :D In that article, there's a short clip of the Work music video and I'm sure anyone watching its opening would be like, what?!?! Girl!!! No Na is actually really good. Their standard is really different than what you normally see in Indonesia. As I was trying to catch up and get to know them, I also fell into the hole of reaction videos in YouTube - gosh the time I wasted, oh no!!! One comment I read in YouTube was like someone commenting how nice and refreshing it was to be able to understand what these girls are saying or singing when all this time when they're watching K-Pop videos, they have to rely on subtitle and may still not get everything. Yes that is so true, when you know the language you know so much more. Like listening to their first album, I was picking up Indonesian things here and there and some felt very subtle like the background in their outro song better on the island which I reminded me of the sound in the Kecak dance - I don't know if I'm the only one feeling that. No Na is an interesting one in Indonesia, because Indonesians know what Indonesia is like. I don't know if any of their videos can be shown fully in any of the local TVs; a lot of things will be blurred out. So I know it may not be that easy for them and there could be backlash and I guess that makes me support them even more. The younger generation seems to be supporting them though and it's good because eventually this younger generation will be holding the power and making changes, so as long as they can stay true to that, Indonesia as awhole might actually go forward. Ghost in the Cell said as long as there's 10% of good Indonesians, there's hope for the country. I hope there's more than that, more of us not that stupid, not that narrow minded. Come on Indonesia!
:) eKa @ 7:25:00 PM • 0 comments
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