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Jakarta Post

Into a murderer’s mind

Writer and filmmaker Joko Anwar reunites with producer Sheila Timothy in an English-language thriller, Modus Anomali

Triwik Kurniasari (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sun, April 29, 2012

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Into a murderer’s mind

W

riter and filmmaker Joko Anwar reunites with producer Sheila Timothy in an English-language thriller, Modus Anomali.

Indonesian moviegoers finally have their chance to watch Joko Anwar’s latest feature flick after helming critically acclaimed psychological thriller Pintu Terlarang (The Forbidden Door) in 2009.

Joko has enjoyed commercial and critical success through a number of his films since his directorial feature film debut in Janji Joni (Joni’s Promise) in 2005, followed by Kala in 2007, his first film noir that he wrote and directed.

He has also written several screenplays, including comedy Quickie Express and drama Fiksi.

Long before its release, Modus Anomali has become one of the much-anticipated Indonesian movies at home, catching movie buffs’ attention as the screenplay itself won the Bucheon Award at the Network of Asian Fantastic Film in South Korea in 2011, defeating 23 other nominees of 100 projects from around the world.

Modus Anomali, which roughly means “weird routine”, was premiered in the section of South By Southwest Film Festival (SXSW), the second-biggest film festival in the US, termed “Midnighters” for films that fell in the “fantastic” genre in March.

Modus Anomali revolves around a man, later known as John Evans, who finds himself awake in the woods without knowing his background, whereabouts or the reason why he is in the out-of-nowhere.

Later on, he learns that he has a family and has been separated from them. He feels that there is someone tailing and trying to kill him, and, possibly, his family. He has to race with time if he wants to see his family alive.

It turns out that Evans has a bizarre habit of killing beneath his devotion to his family. It was not really clear, however, on how he grew the habit.

Rising star Rio Dewanto of Hanung Bramantyo’s ?, Nia Dinata’s Arisan!2 and Rudi Soedjarwo’s Garuda Di Dadaku 2 (Garuda On My Chest) plays the leading character and is supported by a bunch of newcomers such as Hannah Al Rashid, Sadha Triyudha, Jose Gamo, Izzi Isman and Aridh Tritama, as well as old faces like Marsha Timothy and Surya Saputra.

Watching Modus Anomali really requires your full attention, from start to finish. The film hits some desolate moments before the clues begin to come up on the scenes.

The first 15 minutes would be a real test as moviegoers will see the leading character confusedly wanders around the woods in search of something that may lead him to his identity.

There is chance some of the viewers might not really get the points until they discuss and re-evaluate the whole movie with friends or colleagues after the film ends.

Some also think that Surya of the Arisan! series and children’s flicks King and Serdadu Kumbang (Beetle Troop) deserves a more challenging role in the flick due to his versatility as an actor.

In spite of the loophole, Modus Anomali offers some twist and turns in a blunt yet dark murder mystery.

Joko once again brings in a fresh idea, something that is not just about slashing and blood spurting. He is able to take the audience into an intense yet puzzling silence, keeping the audience guessing what really happens with the man’s life.

The thriller is backed up with fine scores, interestingly created from a mix of unusual sounds like a coffee machine, air conditioner and toilet, which develops the mounting tension and sinister atmosphere during the running time.

While the crew only spent 10 days in a pine jungle for the filming, it took them six months to do the pre-production process, which included camera choreography and location setting.

Modus Anomali will be taken to other international film festivals, including the 2012 Busan Film Festival in South Korea.

It is also said that Lifelike Pictures, collaborated with sales agent XYZ Films, is currently under a negotiation to distribute the flick to North America.

Verdict: A slow-burn thriller, the film keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

Modus Anomali
(88 minutes, Lifelike Pictures)

Starring: Rio Dewanto, Hannah Al Rashid, Surya Saputra, Marsha Timothy, Sadha Triyudha, Jose Gamo, Izzi Isman, Aridh Tritama
Director: Joko Anwar
Writer: Joko Anwar
Producer: Sheila Timothy

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