Film
An Israeli in Indonesia
Etgar Keret is one of Israel’s most acclaimed contemporary authors, with particular appeal to the younger generations. His books are bestsellers in Israel and around the world, and have been translated into 22 languages. His short stories have been published in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Paris Review and Zoetrope. Over 40 short films have been based on his stories, and Jellyfish, a feature film he co-directed with his wife, won the Camera d’Or at Cannes in 2007. Catriona Mitchell met him at the 2010 Ubud Writers Festival.
Jermal: A tale of a father, a son, and the isolation of a Malaccan fishing platform.
In the midst of the homogeneous stream of today’s Indonesian cinema, Jermal (released March 12) challenges the flow. A thoughtful portrayal of the relationship between a father and a son, it explores a classic theme given a unique twist by its setting: an isolated fishing platform, or jermal, in the middle of the Malacca Straits off North Sumatra.
The central character is Jaya, a 12-year-old schoolboy whose orderly life is dramatically disrupted when, after his mother’s death, he is sent to the jermal to be with his father Johar. Johar, a taciturn and solitary figure, is an escapee from the mainland with a past he is determined to reject. Snubbed by his father, Jaya is left to fend for himself in a tough new environment that transforms him from a naïve schoolboy into a hardened survivor.
Indonesian Surf Star Dazzles on the Silver Screen
Mengejar Ombak, the documentary about Dede Suryana, a young surfer from a West Java village who became an international star, has just won two awards at X-Dance Film Festival in Salt Lake City, a sports documentary festival that runs in conjunction with Sundance Film Festival.
Big congratulations to Jakarta-based director Dave Arnold – this has been a labour of love many years in the making, and all the hard work has resulted in an excellent and thoughtful film that explores the journey of a very special kampung kid thrust into the international surfing spotlight.
Click here to view the trailer and read the article about the film that Dave wrote for Kabar back in 2007. Premieres are planned soon for several locations in Indonesia – we’ll keep you posted!
Mengejar Ombak wins 2 Awards at X-Dance
Trailer for Mengejar Ombak, the documentary film about Indonesian surfing star Dede Suryana that recently had its international premiere at X-Dance Film Festival in Utah and won two awards, for Original Music Score and Emerging Filmmaker. In 2007, director Dave Arnold shared his aspirations for bouncy castle the film (and made a polite request for […]
Mengejar Ombak now in cinemas!
Mengejar Ombak, the award-winning documentary about Indonesian surfing sensation Dede Suryana, is on general release at Blitz Megaplex, Grand
Indonesia starting May 6, 2009, followed by Paris Van Java, Bandung, from May 13 onwards.
After the film’s success at the prestigious X-Dance Film Festival in
Utah, USA, winning awards for Best Emerging Filmmaker (for Dave Arnold and Tyrone Lebon) and Best Original Score, ‘Mengejar Ombak’ is finally hitting the big screen in Indonesia. The documentary feature offers a close and personal insight into the life of the young and talented Indonesian surfer, Dede Suryana (current Indonesian surf champion and 2-time Gold medallist at the Asian Beach Games). The film follows Dede as he embarks on his first serious season on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) – where he has been touted to become the first Asian to qualify for the World Championship Tour (WCT).
Wall Street Institute is giving away freebies with every ticket bought, and purchasers of 4 tickets or more are eligible for some great prizes from resort stays to Hurley gear. Spread the word!
