Among the many reasons Pintu Terlarang (Forbidden Door) is one of the most awaited films this year is that it is directed by Joko Anwar and is a star-studded, debut of Life Like Picture production house.

Another reason is the curiosity surrounding the performance of the actors starring in the film, which will be released Jan. 12.

Recently, The Jakarta Post received an exclusive invitation to meet and greet the film's director, cast and producer.

Joko has showcased his touch in Janji Joni (Joni's Promise) and the artistic film noir Kala (Death of Time). Pintu Terlarang is Joko's third film.

The film is an adaptation of a novel of the same title by Sekar Ayu Asmara. Besides directing, Joko is also responsible for transforming the book into a movie script.

"For over a year I tried to build the script and enact the scenes inside (my head). When every single cloud and puzzle got clearer, it took me approximately two weeks to type and finish the script," said Joko Anwar who also wrote the script for Quickie Express (Jiffest 2008 Award winner for category best film), Fiksi. (the winner of best picture, script and best director at Festival Film Indonesia 2008) and Nia Dinata's, Arisan.

Pintu Terlarang tells the story of Gambir (Fachri Albar), a famous sculptor who is married to the beautiful and successful Thalida (Marsha Timothy).

The newly weds lead a happy life and everything seems to be picture perfect, until Gambir meets a child who asks him a favor. Gambir's life changes as the request haunts him and when he follows the signs the child sends, Gambir comes across a door inside his beautiful house.

"The film is trying to portray one's desires and reactions when faced with the ultimate truth. Sometimes we are so obsessed with seeking the truth, but do we still want it when it costs us our lives and everything that is so dear to us?" Joko said.

He recalled the "difficult" moment when he was asked to adapt Sekar's novel. "I didn't want to disappoint her (Sekar)," he said.

"But if you want to film a book, then you should realize that books and films are two different things and they has their own specialties. You need to have different points of view regarding the matter."

Even though this was not his first experience in writing and directing, Joko admitted that he was very careful adapting Pintu Terlarang.

"The power of this film lies with the story. However, every variable in the film such as music, property, costume, make-up, location, lighting, sounds and every little detail has always been major support in the creation of a story," he said.

"Their existence in a film has become something that directors must not take for granted."

Producer Sheila Timothy shared a similar confession.

"Joko has always been keen and paid lot attention to detail. For instance the costume's of Thalida. One day the wardrobe had prepared the certain costume that fit Thalida's character and they've already measured it up to Marsha's size.

"But then Joko came and said it was not what he had in mind. The costume was too short for Thalida's character and he wanted every little thing to be precise. That's why every department in the movie are trying very hard to meet his standards, including for location, costume, color, material and even what kind of ashtray to be put in Gambir's office."

And the perfectionist's touch goes on and also heard through the soundtrack.

"For me the soundtrack plays important part in a movie. It highlights certain scenes and gets them stuck it in your head, like forever. And every time you hear that song, you will remember the movie. That's why I want the soundtrack to be special, and it has 50's touch on it," Joko said.

On the other side, Fachri Albar and Marsha Timothy, the main actors feel they were too liberated to interpret their acting role.

During the shooting process of Pintu Terlarang, they were never invited to a formal reading session, like other films they had starred in before.

"When we're doing Pintu Terlarang's reading session, it wasn't like any other reading session. Marsha and I were just handed the script and we chatted all night long with Joko without obligation to act on spot."

Fachri said it seemed the director gave them so much freedom and wanted each actor to interpret their own character.

Fachri spent some time learning how to make sculptures from a Yogyakarta artist.

Marsha, who plays Thalida, said her character was totally different to herself. She said she found it difficult to understand the ambitious yet introverted career woman, and the freedom she was given troubled her at first.

"All Joko did on the set was just whisper and after that, he would let me search for my own version of Thalida's," Marsha said.

But then, when the cameras were rolling and the process started to lead them to another road, they were getting more comfortable with the situation.

"When you already got the feel, everything ran smoothly and we were not lost in translation," Fachri said.

In his defense, Joko said he did not want to burden his casts with rules and his set of standards, that he felt would only limit their capacity as actors to interpret their roles.

"I never want to give certain direction to the cast because I believe they are intelligent individuals who are competent in their field. By giving them freedom, I'm sure that they will become more responsible," Joko said.

"I just want to expect the unexpected because sometimes when the camera rolls they can deliver more than what I had in mind and that satisfies me a lot."

Then what about any other expectations of the movie?

Since the beginning of producing the film, Sheila has always considered public demand.

"It's an industry and also a production always needs enormous investment I think is pretty normal if we want it to be viewed and enjoyed by other people as well," she said.

Sheila said she hoped Pintu Terlarang would be successful because "the film had good casts and great story".

Well, we'll see.

Popular

To my horror, it’s just a movie!

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Pentagon chief congratulates Prabowo on being elected President