We present the winners of the 11th Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival that took place from November 28th – December 3rd in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Golden Hanoman Award
Solo, Solitude (Istirahatlah Kata-kata) by Yosep Anggi Noen – Indonesia | 2016 – 97 min.
The Suharto regime has held power in Indonesia for over 30 years, shutting down democracy time and time again. Highly critical of the regime and unafraid to speak his mind, Wiji Thukul is a poet whose words are often yelled proudly by the crowd during political protests. When riots broke out in Jakarta in 1996, he and a few other activists were accused to be responsible. Forced to flee, Wiji escaped to Pontianak in Borneo where he hid for eight months, sometimes living with complete strangers. There, he had to change his identity several times, but continued to write poetry and short stories under a pen name. In the meantime, in Solo, Central Java, his wife, Sipon, lived with their two children under constant surveillance. In May 1998, when Suharto was deposed by his own people, Wiji Thukul was declared missing.
Silver Hanoman Award
The Island Funeral by Pimpaka Towira – Thailand | 2015 – 105 min.
Laila sets out on a road trip to Pattani, one of the three southernmost Thai provinces, to visit her long-lost aunt. Her brother and his friend are tagging along. The three take off from Bangkok during a time when the capital is going through a radical conflict. Being the city’s citizens has prevented them from realizing much about the violent outbreaks that have been occurring around Pattani for many years. Meeting a suspicious soldier sent to fight the insurgents, the four head together to find Laila’s aunt, where the route is leading them to discover a land stranger than that they are familiar with.
NETPAC Award
Turah by Wicaksono Winsu Legowo – Indonesia | 2016 – 79 min.
Harsh life makes people become losers in Kampung Tirang. They are infected with pessimistic and fear. Especially towards Darso, a rich boss who gave them ‘lives’. Pakel, a toady graduate in Darso’s circle, cunningly makes the villagers become low-minded. That situation helps him to easily take advantages. A slight optimism and hope to escape this unempowered life appear in Turah and Jadag. The indicents happened push Turah and Jadag to fight against their fear and get out of this cunning narration. This is a powerful effort from them, the people of Kampung Tirang, so that they will no longer be losers and remnants.
Geber Award
Turah by Wicaksono Winsu Legowo – Indonesia | 2016 – 79 min.
Blencong Award
Memoria by Kamila Andini – Indonesian | 2016 – 35 min.
A mother tries to leave her memory of being a victim during the war in Timor Leste. A daughter tries to secure herself under a marriage. They are trying to find the real meaning of freedom. Maria is one of the female victims of sexual violence in Timor Leste in their dark years of independence. She sees that such possibility can happen as well to Flora just because of a bride price.
Jogja Film Student Award
Memoria by Kamila Andini – Indonesian | 2016 – 35 min.
To know more about this festival please visit the FESTIVAL PROFILE or go to the official webpage of the festival HERE.
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Asian Film Festivals 