Watching movies is a fun activity. Watching movies can not only relieve fatigue, but can also increase knowledge, you know.
You certainly can't miss watching the following recommendations for the best Indonesian films. International quality films.
What's the title of the film? Come on, see the following reviews!
20 Best Indonesian Film Recommendations
1. 27 Steps of May - 2019
The next best Indonesian film is 27 Steps of May, which was released in 2019. The film that brought Raihaanun to win the award for the Best Main Female Actor at the 2019 Indonesian Film Festival, you can still watch it on the video on demand application.
27 Steps of May tells the story of a woman named May who is so cheerful. Until he was 14 years old, after riding a kora-kora ride at the night market, his life changed. May was gang-raped by a group of unknown people. After that incident, May changed and didn't want to talk to anyone anymore, including her father (Lukman Sardi).
Eight years May kept this trauma. In fact, not infrequently he screamed hysterically and slashed his arm when his father spoke to him. However, May slowly got up and transferred her trauma to the boxing ring.
2. Laskar Pelangi - 2008
In 2008, the film Laskar Pelangi stole the attention of Indonesian film lovers. Because, at that time, the director and producer, Riri Riza and Mira Lesmana, chose to collaborate with native Belitung children as the main actors, thus making this film feel very real.
Combined with beautiful soundtrack music, this film adaptation of the novel by Andrea Hirata was also screened at various international film festivals. Some of them are the 2009 Hong Kong International Film Festival, 2009 Asian Film Awards and the 2009 International Festival of Film for Children and Young Adults, Iran.
Laskar Pelangi tells the story of the struggle of the children of Gantong, Belitung to get a proper education. Together, they became the last students and the hope for SD Muhammadiyah Gantong which would be closed if it could not have ten students. Finally, the ten students of Muhammadiyah Gantong Elementary School met and learned from one another in order to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
3. Marlina, Si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak - 2017
Another recommendation for the best Indonesian film that you should watch is Marlina, Si Pembunuh Dalam Empat Babak which was released in 2017. This film directed by Mouly Surya managed to steal the world's attention after appearing at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival Directors Fortnight. This film also features Marsha Timothy won an award as the Best Main Female Actor at the 2017 Indonesian Film Festival.
Marlina, Si Pembunuh Dalam Empat Babak tells the story of Marlina (Marsha Timothy) who has to experience many harsh realities in one night. A group of thugs visited her house, took all her livestock, and the leader slept with Marlina in front of her husband's body.
Not wanting to remain silent, Marlina then killed and beheaded the leader. He also took the severed head to seek justice. Unfortunately, the help that is available is not even as expected.
4. Perempuan Tanah Jahanam (2019)
Still made by Joko Anwar, Perempuan Tanah Jahanam has received extraordinary acclaim at various international film festivals. This horror-thriller genre film earned a lot of praise when it was shown at the Sundance Film Festival and International Film Festival Rotterdam in January 2020.
Perempuan Tanah Jahanam tells the story of Maya (Tara Basro) who decides to visit her parents' hometown. Accompanied by Dini (Marissa Anita), Maya sees the huge house left by her parents.
While in the village, Maya and Dini actually received terror from local residents. According to information, Maya is a curse that has returned to the house and must be removed immediately.
5. Habibie & Ainun - 2012
Another best Indonesian film is Habibie & Ainun which was released in 2012. This one film tells the love story of the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia, B. J. Habibie and his wife, Ainun. Through this film, Reza Rahadian won an award as the Best Main Male Actor at the 2013 Indonesian Film Festival and Bunga Citra Lestari won an award as the Most Commendable Female Main Actor at the 2013 Bandung Film Festival.
Habibie & Ainun tells the story of the love journey of Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie (Reza Rahadian) and Ainun Habibie (Bunga Citra Lestari). Habibie, who was still studying in Germany at that time, brought Ainun along to live with him in Germany after marriage.
Habibie's genius in the field of aircraft technology was finally heard in Indonesia. The Indonesian president at that time, Suharto, called him home to create his own aircraft industry in the country.
6. Penyalin Cahaya - 2021
Penyalin Cahaya, the film directed by Wregas Bhanuteja is one of the best films of 2021. The film, which was first released at the Busan International Film Festival, October 8, 2021, won various awards and became the best film version of the 2021 Indonesian Film Festival.
Penyalin Cahaya tells the story of Suryani (Shenina Cinnamon). One day, he goes to a party to celebrate the victory of Mata Hari, the theater troupe Suryani has joined as a web designer. However, something went wrong with the event. Suryani comes home drunk and she uploads her picture on social media. As a result, he lost his scholarship on the grounds that he did not behave well.
Suryani realizes that other people are tricking her. He also tries to find out the truth, even though his good name and education are at stake.
7. KKN di Desa Penari - 2022
KKN Di Desa Penari is the most phenomenal film in 2022. Released to coincide with the Idul Fitri moment, KKN in the Dancer Village has succeeded in gaining a total audience of up to 9 million more. This number is expected to continue to grow because the film directed by Awi Suryadi is still showing in Malaysia.
KKN Di Desa Penari tells the story of a group of students who are doing a real work class (KKN) activity in a remote village. Since the beginning of their presence in the village, strange events have haunted them. Starting from the appearance of a dark figure in the bathroom, to the sound of the gamelan coming from nowhere.
8. Ayat-Ayat Cinta - 2008
In 2008, Ayat-Ayat Cinta became a film that was so hotly discussed. The film, directed by Hanung Bramantyo, is based on the best-selling novel of the same name written by Habiburrahman El Shirazy.
Raising a love story from an Islamic perspective, the plot of Ayat-Ayat Cinta begins with an Indonesian student who is studying in Cairo, Egypt named Fahri (fedi Nuril). He is known as a polite and kind person.
Unknowingly, the woman who was near him fell in love with him. They are Maria (Carissa Putri), Nurul (Melanie Putria), to Noura (Zaskia Adya Mecca). However, one day Fahri agreed to his teacher's offer to meet the girl his teacher chose, namely Aisha (Rianti Catwright).
9. Aruna dan Lidahnya - 2018
Departing from the novel of the same name by Laksmi Pamuntjak, Aruna Dan Lidahnya is one of the best Indonesian films. This is because the film produced by Palari Films won several categories at the 2017 Indonesian Film Festival.
Aruna Dan Lidahnya presents a theme about Indonesian cuisine wrapped in a story of friendship. Aruna (Dian Sastrowardoyo) takes a long time to say "delicious" to a food.
In fact, Bono (Nicholas Saputra), who is a chef, cannot conquer his best friend's tongue. Feeling that something was wrong with his best friend's tongue, Bono then invited Aruna to explore culinary delights while looking for new recipes.
10. Keluarga Cemara - 2019
The last recommendations for the best Indonesian films come from the family drama genre. This film brings back the story of Keluarga Cemara TV series in the 90s with a more contemporary setting. When watching this film, you will be presented with dialogues full of emotion and important messages about the meaning of family.
Keluarga Cemara tells the story of the family of Abah (Ringgo Agus Rahman) and Mother (Nirina Zubir) who are facing family problems. Those who were originally rich then had to fall into poverty because of fraud.
Their two children, Euis (Adhisty Zara) and Ara (Widuri Puteri) also have to face the situation and adapt to new friends. In this simple life, they find that the most valuable treasure is family.
11. Mencuri Raden Saleh - 2022
Different from most Indonesian film genres, Mencuri Raden Saleh manages to present a slick heist genre film. Visinema Pictures' latest work dispels negative arguments about genres that are considered undeveloped in Indonesia.
Stealing Raden Saleh tells of an art student named Piko (Iqbaal Ramadhan) and Ucup (Angga Yunanda) who receive an offer to steal Raden Saleh's phenomenal painting, the Painting of the Arrest of Prince Diponegoro.
They then gather his friends, starting from Piko's girlfriend, Sarah (Aghniny Haque), Tuktuk (Ari Irham), Gofar (Umay Shahab), and Fella (Rachel Amanda). The adventure to steal historic paintings at the State Palace, which is super tight, begins with an action that doesn't always go smoothly.
12. Srimulat: Hil yang Mustahal - 2022
Srimulat: Hil Yang Mustahal is the recommendation for the best Indonesian film that presents a unique comedy story. Just premiered in 2022, this film has now been nominated for the Indonesian Film Festival.
Raising the story of the most phenomenal comedy group in Indonesia, Srimulat summarizes their journey starting from a corner of the city of Solo. Almost every night, the comedy group performs to entertain the city of Solo.
Aris (Bio One), one of the Srimulat musicians, has the ambition to become a comedian who performs on stage. Teguh, the owner of Srimulat, realized this until finally Aris, who later became known as Gepeng, came to Jakarta to fulfill the president's invitation.
13. Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap - 2022
The next recommendation for Indonesian films is the film Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap, which will be released in mid-2022. This film directed by Bene Dion really stole the attention because it dared to tell the story of Medan's culture, which is rarely brought to the big screen.
Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap tells the story of a married couple Pak Domu (Arswendy Beningswara Nasution) and Bu Domu (Tika Panggabean) who miss their children. Sarma E. Purba (Gita Bhebhita Butar-butar) lives with Mrs. Domu and Pak Domu, while three other children, Domu (Boris Bokir), Gabe (Lolox) and Sahat (Indra Jegel) migrate outside the city.
Because of unbearable longing, Mr. Domu and Mrs. Domu decided to pretend they were divorced so that their children would come home and meet them.
14. Yuni - 2021
Just like the film Penyalin Cahaya, Yuni is also one of the brightest films in 2021. In fact, Yuni won the Platform Prize from the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and the main character, Arawinda Kirana, won the title of Best Female Lead at the 2021 Indonesian Film Festival.
Yuni tells the story of a woman named Yuni (Arawinda Kirana) who lives in a small town. Even though she is still in high school, Yuni has received proposals twice from two different men. Because she has high aspirations, Yuni refuses the proposal and makes her neighbors in the village talk about her.
Yuni has a desire for high school. However, the circumstances and culture of the people forced Yuni to rethink this wish.
15. Cek Toko Sebelah - 2016
The film Cek Toko Sebelah deserves to be on the list of the best Indonesian films thanks to the direction, writing and story that are so well done. This film is said to be the pinnacle of Ernest Prakasa's success as a director after directing the film Ngenest in 2015.
The idea for this film's story is based on the reality of ethnic Chinese in Indonesia, when children grow up. That one's expectations and benchmarks are based on high schools and colleges, as well as getting a high position. Sadly, in the end he works in his parents' own shop.
The film, which was written by Ernest Prakasa and Jenny Jusuf with story development from Meira Anastasia, successfully won the Best Original Screenplay award from the Indonesian Film Festival and a series of other awards.
16. Ada Apa Dengan Cinta - 2002
The next best Indonesian film recommendation is Ada Apa Dengan Cinta, which was released in 2002. Even though the story and cinematography of the film directed by Rudi Soedjarwo still seem simple, this film became the starting point for the rise of the Indonesian film industry which had been in suspended animation for a long time.
Not only succeeded in catapulting the names of Dian Sastrowardoyo and Nicholas Saputra, Ada Apa Dengan Cinta has a series of soundtracks that are still fun to listen to today. Not surprisingly, this work by Melly Goeslaw and Anto Hoed won many awards in its time. Starting from the Best Song at the 2002 Indonesian Music Award, the Best Musical Arrangement at the 2002 Indonesian Film Festival, to the 2002 Bandung Film Festival's Commendable Music.
The film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta tells about the almost perfect life of Cinta (Dian Sastrowardoyo). Achievement in school, have good and compact friends, to boyfriends who are handsome and good at basketball. However, Cinta's life changes when her position as the best poetry writer is replaced by Rangga (Nicholas Saputra). He did not accept and promised to take the position back.
17. Pengabdi Setan - 2017
Witnessed by more than 4.2 million viewers, the film Pengabdi Setan became the best-selling film in 2017. Because of its best-selling, Satan's Slave is also eyed in other countries and aired in several countries, such as Malaysia, Japan, to the United States.
In Indonesia alone, this film won many awards. Starting from the Best Cinematography Arrangement at the 2017 Indonesian Film Festival, Selected Director for the 2017 Maya Cup, to the Best Indonesian Box Office Movie Awards 2018.
Pengabdi Setan tells the story of Rini (Tara Basro) who lives with her mother, father, grandmother and three younger brothers. Rini's mother was sick and could only lie in the room. The terror started when Rini's mother died. Rini and her family don't know that her mother has a pact with the devil who sometimes asks for human lives to be sacrificed.
18. Ave Maryam - 2018
First broadcast at the 2018 Hanoi International Film Festival, Ave Maryam caused controversy when it was broadcast in Indonesia. The film, directed by Joko Anwar, raises the theme of religion which is quite sensitive, namely the love affair between nuns and priests.
Maryam (Maudy Koesnaedi) is a nun who has just moved to a nursing home in Girisonta, Ambarawa, Semarang, Central Java. Maryam's daily activities there are cleaning the orphanage and taking care of the old nun. However, Maryam's life changed when a young priest named Yosef (Chicco Jerikho) moved to the orphanage.
Maryam, who initially admired Yosef, became involved in forbidden love. Together, they often go secretly out of the orphanage. In fact, their relationship is too far. Maryam and Yosef had sexual intercourse which made them both neglect their duties at the orphanage.
19. The Raid - 2011
Talking about the best Indonesian films, we must not forget The Raid. This film directed by Gareth Evans is a stepping stone for Indonesian films on the world stage. Winning many awards, through this film too, world-renowned producers and directors have begun to look to Indonesian actors. For example, Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, who immediately expanded into the Hollywood film industry after being involved in The Raid.
The Raid tells the story of Rama (Iko Uwais) and Jaka (Joe Taslim), members of an elite police group who are assigned to raid a 30-floor apartment which is the headquarters of the biggest criminal, Tama Riyadi (Ray Sahetapi). It's not easy to subdue Tama because he has set up minions on every floor.
That's not enough, Tama also promises to waive rent fees for apartment residents who want to join in against Rama, Jaka and their group. Now, Rama and Jaka's opponents are not only Tama, but also all the apartment residents who are willing to do anything for profit.
20. Dua Garis Biru - 2019
Dua Garis Biru became one of the recommendations for Indonesian films which were so phenomenal at the time of their release. This film is considered brave enough to raise a topic that has been considered taboo by Indonesian society, namely pregnancy out of wedlock.
Behind the story, there are many moral messages for teenagers so they can better understand the impact of what they have dared to do. For this story, Dua Garis Biru was rewarded with many awards. For example, Best Original Screenplay at the 2019 Indonesian Film Festival, Praised Cinema Film at the 2019 Bandung Film Festival and Favorite Film at the 2020 Indonesian Movie Actors Awards.
Dua Garis Biru tells the story of a pair of high school students named Dara (Adhisty Zara) and Bima (Angga Yunanda). The two of them were so in love that Dara finally got pregnant. Even though Bima is ultimately responsible, the relationship between the two is not as close as it used to be. Adult problems that they shouldn't have felt, now they inevitably have to bear the consequences that they have to live with.
Those were the recommendations for the best Indonesian films. Watch it soon, it's a shame to miss it. After watching, tell which film was memorable for you in the comments column.