Tokyo film fest to focus on Indonesia

Indonesia will be the country of focus at the Tokyo International Film Festival, which begins on October 25. Part of Crosscut Asia, an important segment of the festival, Indonesian movies will highlight some leading directors from the country.

Three films by Teddy Soeriaatmadja will be a study in intimacy -- daring and provocative. Along with these will be the works of emerging female talents like Nia Dinata (a pioneer in LGBT movies) and Kamila Andini with her evocative work, Following Diana.

Soeriaatmadja started his career with an independent movie titled Culik. His latest films to be screened at Tokyo are a trilogy: Lovely Man, Something in the Way and About a Woman. His attention to detail, stunning cinematography and compelling style of storytelling have made Teddy one of the most acclaimed directors in Indonesia.

While Lovely Man traces the relationship between a Muslim father and his daughter after she discovers him to be a transvestite working on the streets of Djakarta, Something in the Way talks about a man addicted to paid sex and how his life takes an about turn after he falls in love with a pretty neighbourhood prostitute. The third in the trilogy, About a Woman, grapples with the life of an elderly Muslim lady as she is forced out of her comfort zone.

About a Woman grapples with the life of an elderly Muslim lady as she is forced out of her comfort zone.

Dinata’s hilarious musical, Three Sassy Sisters, focuses on the dilemma of an old woman who just cannot seem to find suitable grooms for her three granddaughters -- running a beachside boutique in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Three Sassy Sisters focuses on the dilemma of an old woman who just cannot seem to find suitable grooms for her three granddaughters.

Andini’s Following Diana describes how a 30-year-old woman living with her little son and husband finds life shattering beyond belief when he wants to share his family with another woman.

Following Diana describes how a 30-year-old woman living with her son and husband finds life shattering beyond belief when he wants to share his family with another woman.

(Gautaman Bhaskaran will be covering the Tokyo International Film Festival.)