If the French have “Paris Je T’Aime” and Americans have “New York, I Love You,” Jakarta may soon have its own cinema-inspired motto exclaiming its love and celebrating its lovers.
“Sanubari Jakarta” (“Jakarta Deep Down”), a new movie featuring 10 short films by 10 different directors, opens today. The film portrays lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender relationships throughout Jakarta.
Produced by Fira Sofiana and actress Lola Amaria, “Sanubari Jakarta” is a collaboration between the Kresna Duta Foundation (a film organization), the Ardhanary Institute (supporters of diverse sexualities) and the Ford Foundation (social change advocates). Dimas Hary, from Kresna Duta, said “Sanubari Jakarta” championed the cause of the underrepresented and persecuted LGBT community in Jakarta.
For the past two years, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) has protested at the Q! Film Festival, which focuses on LGBT issues. The most notable protest was at Goethe-Haus in Menteng in 2010. As a result, the film festival took a low profile last year, with minimal publicity and details on the times and venues kept partly secret.
The format of “Sanubari Jakarta” — an omnibus collection of works — has long been used by local filmmakers.
“The omnibus is not something new to Indonesia,” Lola said. “We were actually inspired by ‘Kuldesak,’ ‘Dilema’ and ‘Belkibolang.’ ”
Fourteen years ago, “Kuldesak” marked a rise to prominence for Indonesian cinema. The film was pioneered by directors Mira Lesmana, Riri Riza, Nan Achnas and Rizal Mantovani. “Dilema,” “Belkibolang” and “Hi5teria” are more recent omnibus projects, with the latter currently playing in local cinemas.
Although all 10 short films in “Sanubari” revolve around LGBT topics, all of the directors chose their own plots and funded their own productions — the budget for each film was anywhere between Rp 4.5 million and Rp 50 million ($500 and $5,500). After the self-funded production, Lola and Fira helped to cover the cost of post-production with help from the foundations.
To create a common thread through the 10 films, Lola and Fira entrusted 21-year-old scriptwriter Lele Laila to write each of the movies’ stories after the director sketched out the plot.
“Every story is inspired by true events, but I put in fictional details,” said Lele, who first met Lola several years ago when she asked the actress to read her unpublished novel. Lele spoke to a number of people from the LGBT community for insight. It was an onerous process involving extensive research and several rewrites.
In the comedy “Kentang” (“Potato”), actor Gia Partawinata said the first script was too rigid. In the film, a gay couple try to steal a few moments of intimacy, but are constantly interrupted. And they must take special care every time a wayward friend knocks on their door, as one member of the couple (played by Haffes Ali) is still in the closet — every interruption, while comical, risks exposure for the closeted man.
“It often happens to me because I am openly gay but, my ex-boyfriends were usually closeted,” said Gia, who collaborated with Lele, and even suggested some dialogue. Aline Jusria, the director of “Kentang,” said it was challenging to direct Haffes; it was his first time acting (he is an art director for a production house), and he’s straight.
“Haffes is not gay, so I kept telling him to kiss Gia like he kissed a girl,” Aline said, adding that after several takes, Haffes delivered a strong performance.
In fact, many of the actors in “Sanubari Jakarta” are amateurs and worked without pay. Still, the characters in each of the vignettes are compelling and relatable, experiencing the problems, frustrations, joys and desires that many Jakartans experience.
Dimas, from the Kresna Duta Foundation, played the transgender prostitute in “Malam Ini Aku Cantik” (“Tonight I’m Beautiful”).
“It’s easy because I am a banci anyway,” he said, using the colloquial term for a transvestite. “It was a good experience because now I know how painful it is to be an actress, with the waxing and all.”
Another stand-out film is “Menunggu Warna” (“Waiting for the Color”), directed by Adriyanto “Adri” Waskito Dewo. This is Adri’s third project following his short films in “Minggu Pagi di Victoria Park” (“Sunday Morning at Victoria Park”) and “Hi5teria.”
In “Menunggu Warna,” Adri chose to make a silent black-and-white film. Adri said he was not trying to copy the hugely successful “The Artist,” adding that he had the idea for “Menunggu” a decade ago. He chose black and white as a symbol for a colorless world.
“It symbolizes the hope for change in the LGBT community,” he said.
Albert Halim and Rangga Djoned, who play a gay couple in “Menunggu,” said they wanted to be involved because they love acting.
Lola Amaria also displayed her skill as a film director in “Lumba-Lumba” (“Dolphins”), the third film in “Sanubari.” In “Lumba,” a kindergarten teacher falls in love with her student’s father, who is secretly gay and has a lover.
Lola said the inspiration came from her friends who encountered the same scenario. “I had to use dolphins as a symbol because they are a bisexual animal,” she said. “When a male dolphin cannot find a female partner to mate with, it [seeks out] another male dolphin.”
The last film is “Kotak Cokelat” (“A Chocolate Box”), directed by Sim F., a music video director. “Kotak” stars Reuben Elisahama Hadju, a recognized actor and lead singer of the band Channel.
In “Kotak,” a chocolate box becomes a reminder and symbol of a bitter past for two boys. Sim F. gives the film a powerful visual quality that concludes “Sanubari Jakarta” on a strong cinematic note.
There is no plan to take “Sanubari” on the film festival tour — yet. But Lola has announced plans to take the cast and crew on a tour to 11 cities across Indonesia, including Banda Aceh, Medan, Padang, Bandar Lampung, Bandung, Denpasar, Surabaya and Makassar.
“Sanubari Jakarta” opens today at Blitzmegaplex and Cinema 21.
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