The height of soccer fever in Indonesia has not stopped yet. Soccer enthusiasts might recall the 2010 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup where Irfan Bachdim, a naturalized player who used to live in the Netherlands, and now plays for Persema Malang, made an outstanding performance in the competition’s group matches.

With his good look and skills, the half-Indonesian and half-Dutch Irfan easily wove a spell and used his charms to attract fans, especially female fans, across the country.

He and other naturalized players like Christian Gonzalez and Kim Kurniawan have undeniably given different flavors to the national team’s performance.

From the pitch, Irfan has started to appear on the small screen by starring in some commercials and now, he enters the big time, playing in Hanung Bramantyo’s latest movie, Tendangan Dari Langit (Kick from the Sky).

Wait a minute. Is this a film about Irfan’s life? That it is not, people.

This film tells the story of a 16-year-old boy named Wahyu (played by newcomer Yosie Kristanto), who lives in Langitan village on the slopes of Mount Bromo, East Java, and has a passion for playing soccer.

With the help of his uncle Hasan (Agus Kuncoro), Wahyu is regularly hired to play in Hasan’s team, representing his regency.

Wahyu is a talented player who often gives great assistance, shoots brilliant goals and scores for his team.

He idolizes Persema Malang, takes Irfan Bachdim as his role model and dreams of playing in Indonesia’s national team.

But it’s a long and winding road for the boy to reach his dream, since his father, Darto (Sujiwo Tejo), who sells hot coffee and noodles in Bromo’s tourist area, strictly forbids him to play soccer.

Will Wahyu keep on chasing his dream or give up?

After filming religious themes, such as Ayat-ayat Cinta (Verses of Love); Perempuan Berkalung Surban (Woman with a Head Scarf); Sang Pencerah (The Enlightener) and ?, Hanung returns with a modest story, which reflects every boy’s dream of being a soccer player as well as portraying family conflicts and bonds, the power of friendship and the bittersweet taste of young love.

Tendangan Dari Langit blends drama, comedy, adventure and heartfelt emotion that touches the heart and tickles the funny bone, set against the backdrop of a small village, far from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Some romance is also inserted to add a dash of color to the story.

The film also highlights the current crisis in the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI), and the tensions between the PSSI and the Indonesian Premier League (LPI) -- a league that is not recognized by the PSSI and FIFA, leading to the exclusion of Irfan and Kim from the national team because they play for Persema Malang, which is part of the rival league.

The scriptwriters, Hanung and Fajar Nugros, allow the film to be critical of the way Indonesian soccer is managed, through a number of dialogues.

As for the ensemble cast, besides big names like Sujiwo Tejo, Yati Surachman, Agus Kuncoro and Toro Margens -- who are without doubt skilled actors and really delve into their characters – the young blood, Yosie Kristanto, also displays a range of emotions, convincingly taking moviegoers on the highs and lows of his journey toward reaching his dream.

Other young actors, Jordi Onsu and Natasha Khairani, who play Wahyu’s classmates, also give notable performances and provide a good dose of humor.

Meanwhile, Irfan and Kim appear in this movie as themselves; they don’t really act as they are on the screen to display their soccer skills alongside Persema’s coach, Timo Scheunemann, and physiotherapist, Matias Ibo.

Aside from the fact the film benefits from Irfan and Kim’s rising popularity, and offers some good publicity for the Persema team, Hanung certainly knows how to entertain moviegoers through Tendangan Dari Langit, which will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride.

Verdict: Laugh, cry and learn. Those are the three things that you’ll experience when you watch this heart-warming, inspiring yet entertaining movie.

Tendangan Dari Langit (Kick from the Sky, 113 minutes, Sinemart Pictures)
Starring: Yosie Kristanto, Agus Kuncoro, Sujiwo Tejo, Yati Surachman, Maudy Ayunda, Toro Margens, Joshua Suherman, Girogino Abraham, Irfan Bachdim, Kim Kurniawan, Timo Scheunemann
Directed: Hanung Bramantyo
Written: Hanung Bramantyo, Fajar Nugros
Produced: Leo Sutanto

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