After Locarno, the Wiji Thukul Biopic Heads to Film Fest in Russia
Jakarta. After premiering at the Locarno Film Festival earlier this month, the Wiji Thukul biopic by Yosep Anggi Neon, is heading to the Pacific Meredien International Film Festival in Vladivostok, Russia in September.
“It’s a practice, as we prepare this film to show to Indonesian audiences. Every film festival has its own unique quality and artistic choice," Anggi said.The Vladivostok film festival, which will kick off on Sept. 10-16, is now familiar with Indonesian films, having screened "Impian Kemarau" by Ravi Bharwani, "Postcard from the Zoo" by Edwin, "Bermula dari A" by BW Purbanegara and "Shelter" by Ismail Basbeth. Director Riri Riza has also served as one of the judges in festival's competition.
"Istirahatlah Kata-Kata" ("Solo, Solitude") stars Gunawan Maryanto as Wiji Thukul, along Marissa Anita, Melanie Subono, Eduwart Manalu and Arswendy Nasution. The movie follows Wiji during his escape to Pontianak in the year 1996. This may not be the most heroic of stories, but the filmmakers felt like this was the fundamental period in Wiji Thukul’s life when he continued to speak up, until he was declared missing along with 13 activists in 1998.
"The only thing we can do is try to make a film with honesty, as Wiji Thukul did with his prose. He has written the century and I believe that films can play the same role. Indonesia’s journey, with all the good and the bad, has to continue to be written down so that we continue to learn,” Anggi said.
“Being able to talk about a broader topic from watching a film is something that make me fall in love further with the motion picture. 'Istirahatlah Kata-Kata' is a simple movie about simple people, but it has such a remarkable impact to the democracy we have today. Their stories are what we have to share to the younger generation," she said.
According to Yulia, her team is really eager to encourage its audience to sit together in a conversation, to give way to a culture of discussion even if it’s just after seeing a movie.
“Or, we can then reflect back to our country’s history and our journey as a nation. I feel that the film has a good chance to offer diplomacy for Indonesian culture among other nations in the world, without the exception of Vladivostok as well.” Yulia continued.
At Vladivostok, "Solo, Solitude" will find company with the short film "The Travelling Period" by Arie Surastio that entered the short film competition. "Interchange," a movie co-produced by Indonesia and Malaysia will also screen at the After Midnight session.
"Solo, Solitude" is a collaboration with the Muara Foundation, KawanKawan Film, Lima Enam Films and Partisipasi Indonesia. The novelist Okky Madasari and social activist Tunggal Pawestri are both executive producers on the film.
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