EDWIN 

Edwin, a filmmaker who has directed indie films such as Babi Buta Ingin Terbang (Blind Pigs Want to Fly) and Kebun Binatang (Zoo) as well as award-winning hit Posesif (Possessive):

“The most significant and fun moments of this year? Those are definitely related to [my film] Posesif. Posesif is significant mainly because of the process, during which I worked with a crew that
I was mostly unfamiliar with. And from there we collaborated to find new methods of shooting that focused on exploring the different styles of acting by each actor in the film. That’s the most fun part of the whole process.

My upcoming project is an adaptation of Eka Kurniawan’s book, Seperti Dendam Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntasi (Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash). Right now it is in the scriptwriting and location scouting phase. I haven’t decided on casting yet.”

TEX SAVERIO

Tex Saverio, an Indonesian renowned designer who had dressed up pop icons from Jennifer Lawrence and Kim Kardashian to Lady Gaga:

“Professionally, we have had many successful deliveries to our clients, not only in Indonesia but across the globe. We consider this step as part of getting ready for the global market. We believe that getting recognized by working with international public figures is the first step, and getting actual business from that international market is another step, that’s the next challenge for us. Therefore, we are happy now that in 2017 we can see progress.

Yes, there are always good and bad times in a year. However I’d rather see the ‘bad’ as a lesson to learn from and improve. We wish we could do another White Collection in 2017 but unfortunately our schedules are so full now that we have to put that on hold.

Next year, [we are planning] the second Couture collection, as well as some new exciting projects that are now being discussed. Hopefully it goes as planned.”

EKA KURNIAWAN

Eka Kurniawan, an award-winning author whose books have been translated into more than 30 languages:

“The most important thing this year for me was having the English translation of my third novel published. Considering that my first and second novels were published around the same time, the third served as a test for me: Will publishers and readers still be willing to read my next book? [...]

I always see each year as a happy one, and this year, while I have been busy with various trips, which is of course very tiring, and although I have not published new work [in Indonesian], at least I have had time to reflect, to think of different ideas for new works, and this process often makes me feel as happy as seeing the final result.

This year I planned to republish two of my short story compilations from 2005, but because of my own fussiness, the plan did not happen. One will be published early next year, as long as nothing gets in the way. There is no specific plan for when the other one will be published. My experiences in 2017 have made me a bit more relaxed about setting such a target.

The funny thing is, my only plan for next year is not to have any plan, I just want to hang around. There are several trips that I am going to take [including to attend a literary festival in Lyon, France], but I want to spend most of my time relaxing. I have no plan to publish a new book, apart from republishing my short story collection. I think that taking a break and giving yourself space are as important for a writer as getting a new book out.

I’m happy I managed to exercise again this year, despite my busy schedule. I find it hard to be disciplined about this, but in the last few weeks of the year, I bought a bicycle and went cycling with my neighbors. Hopefully, next year I can be much more disciplined, not just about cycling but also jogging and swimming, to stay healthy.”

ANANDA SUKARLAN

Ananda Sukarlan, a renowned musician and composer:

“John Lennon said ‘life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.’ [This year] I was commissioned by several institutions. I rejected some due to time constraints and/or my disinterest with the subject, and accepted others. I was quite happy with the work I wrote for those commissions. I feel I have contributed my grain of sand to the repertoire of classical music […] Personally? My daughter started university, studying her long-time passion: mathematics. So she’s happy, and I’m happy.

And of course there was that notorious event in November when I walked out during the Jakarta governor’s speech, and then my own speech afterwards. That wasn’t the worst moment; it was the days following it, when it was politicized and twisted. I spent the next four days trying to protect my alma mater from being
attacked […] I still wish now that things had calmed down, so I could give a ‘tell all’ interview of what really happened. Having said that, I would like to reiterate that I don’t feel sorry, nor regret what I did. I did what I thought, and still think, is correct. I regret what happened afterwards and what some people did to satisfy their needs. The good I can take from this is that, thanks to this incident, I discovered who my real friends are, and who stabbed me in the back. It was painful, but necessary.

I have long wished to write an opera that would describe the way an Aspie [someone with Asperger’s Syndrome] thinks and feels.
It doesn’t have to be about an Aspie, but I would like it to have multilayered, juxtaposed emotions. It’s difficult to describe it in words, of course. For now, I am looking for materials or stories […]. Basically the idea is to reveal to the listeners that we have hidden emotions we never experience, if not triggered by music. And I think only an Aspie can produce that kind of music. I am giving myself until the end of next year, because without the [self-imposed] deadline, I wouldn’t finish it.

As for my own 2018 goal, I want to accomplish the goals of 2017 that I should’ve done in 2016 because I promised in 2015 to fulfil my resolution of 2014!”

— Dylan Amirio and Stanley Widianto contributed to the story