T

he Mirror Never Lies, a drama about a young girl trying to find her father who is missing at sea, received the best picture award at the 2012 Bandung Film Festival at Gasibu Square in Bandung on Saturday evening.

The movie set in a Bajo community in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, outclassed four other nominees: Sang Penari (The Dancer), Pengejar Angin (Wind Hunter), Di Bawah Lindungan Ka’bah (Under the Sanctuary of the Kaaba) and Hafalan Shalat Delisa (Delisa’s Prayer Recitation).

The Mirror Never Lies depicts the richness of life among the Bajo and the beauty of the sea near Wakatobi, and earned nominations in 10 out of the 13 award categories at the festival, including best director for Kamila Andini, camera director for Ipung Rahmat Syaiful, art director for Tonny Tri Marsanto and Tomy D. Setyanto, and best movie poster. The number of nominations matched those of Sang Penari, inspired by the book of the same name by
Ahmad Tohari.

“This year, we chose films about Indonesians and their cultures. We selected movies that feature local Indonesian values,” Bandung Film Forum head Eddy D. Iskandar said.

The film was produced by SET Film, WWF Indonesia and the Wakatobi government.

Atiqah Hasiholan, recognized for her role in Jamila Sang President (Jamila the President), stars in the drama alongside two-time Citra award winner Reza Rahadian. Besides hiring the two established actors for her directorial debut, Andini also hired local Bajonese kids. The three young actors she found — Gita Novalista, Eko and Zainal — had remarkable performances in their debuts on the big screen.

Andini said her love of marine life inspired her to bring the story to the screen.

“I saw that there were only a few people who brought the story of sea wanderers to the big screen. Through this film, I hope Indonesians get to know more about the marine world in Wakatobi and about the Bajo people. I want to show people that the Bajo really exist in our waters,” said Andini, who co-wrote the story with Dirmawan Hatta. It took more than two years for her to make the film.

Best actress and actor at the Bandung Film Festival went to Prisia Nasution in Sang Penari and Qausar Hy in Pengejar Angin, respectively. Best supporting actress awards went to Ratna Riantiarno in Get Married and Ira Maya Sopha in Mother Keder and best supporting actor went to Surya Saputra in Malaikat Tanpa Sayap (Angel Without Wings).

The 25th Bandung Film Festival also awarded lifetime achievement awards to Slamet Rahardjo and Aminah Cendrakasih.

In the sinetron category, best actor went to Agus Kuncoro of Tim Bui and Agnes Monica received best actress for her role in Mimo Ketemu Pasha together with Donna Harun for Kampung Hawa.