“The selected films represent the diversity of our cultures,” Nia Dinata, head of the organizing committee’s selection and judging division, said at an online conference with all the curators.

The films were selected from 65 entries released between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020.

Due to the closing of movie theaters since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Indonesia in March, the festival organizer bent the rule to accommodate films not yet released in theaters and to include films premiered at limited screenings or film festivals as well as new releases on digital video platforms accessible to the public.

“There are supposed to be 68 titles, but three of them have yet to meet the registration requirements,” Nia said.

The shortlist is said to be more diverse in terms of genres and story plots than in previous years, and all make the grade for production quality.

Horrific: A still from Joko Anwar's 'Perempuan Tanah Jahanam' (impetigore) (Courtesy/BASE Entertainment)

Two luminous horror flicks released back to back last year – Perempuan Tanah Jahanam (Impetigore) by Joko Anwar and Ratu Ilmu Hitam (The Queen of Black Magic) by Kimo Stamboel -- also made the cut.

The original Ratu Ilmu Hitam (Imam Tantowi, 1981) was nominated for best actress, supporting actor, editing, artistic directing, and director of photography at the 1982 FFI.

The curators also picked drama comedies Abracadabra, directed by revered director Faozan Rizal, Guru-guru Gokil (Crazy Awesome Teachers) by Sammaria Simanjuntak -- released on Netflix, Mekah I’m Coming (Mecca, I’m Coming) by Jeihan Angga and Imperfect: Karier, Cinta & Timbangan (Imperfect: Career, Love & Scales) by Ernest Prakasa. 

Actor Reza Rahadian starred in both Abracadabra and Imperfect.

Films on the list that have made it to national and international festivals include Humba Dreams by Riri Riza, Mountain Songs by Yusuf Radjamuda, Hiruk-pikuk si Al-Kisah (The Science of Fictions) by Yosep Anggi Noen, and Istri Orang (Someone’s Wife) by Dirmawan Hatta.

Road movie Mudik (Homecoming), which was released on Aug. 28 on the Mola TV streaming service, and biopic Susi Susanti Love All by Sim F. also made the shortlist.

Besides those 12 films, the curatorial team recommended a list of 10 films with remarkable accomplishments in certain aspects, including special effects, costume design and supporting actress.

The team consists of performance artist Nungki Kusumastuti, screenwriter Prima Rusdi, gender equality activist and writer Hera Diani, film director Makbul Mubarak, filmmaker and educator Tam Notosusanto, independent film award Piala Maya program director Rangga Wisesa and film journalist Leila S. Chudori.

The team reviewed the entries in three-and-a-half months, recognizing new talents and progress that would further raise the bar of the industry.

“Of all the films we have reviewed, only one is a children’s movie, which is a musical, and two films revolve around child characters. I hope filmmakers will consider making more family or children-themed films,” said Tam, adding that more attention should also be given to research and scriptwriting.

Hera Diani highlighted the lacking gender perspective in most of the film entries, as they still applied certain stereotypes in depicting female characters.

“In some of the films, sexual violence or harassment such as stalking is normalized as romantic behavior, while simplifying sexual abuse. I hope there will be more female directors to enrich gender perspectives in Indonesian films.”

The judges will comprise members of professional film associations, and the FFI nominees are to be announced on Nov. 7.

The list of the 12 curated films for the FFI (in alphabetical order):

1. Abracadabra by Faozan Rizal (fourcolours film)

2. Guru-guru Gokil by Sammaria Simanjuntak (Base Entertainment)

3. Humba Dreams by Riri Riza (Miles Films)

4. Imperfect: Karier, Cinta & Timbangan by Ernest Prakasa (Starvision Plus)

5. Istri Orang by Dirmawan Hatta (Tumbuh Sinema Rakyat)

6. Mekah, I’m Coming by Jeihan Angga (Dapur Film, MD Pictures)

7. Mountain Song by Yusuf Radjamuda (fourcolours films, ReelOne Project, Halaman Belakang Films)

8. Mudik by Adriyanto Dewo (Relate Films, Lifelike Pictures)

9. Perempuan Tanah Jahanam by Joko Anwar (Base Entertainment, CJ Entertainment, Rapi Films, Ivanhoe Pictures)

10. Ratu Ilmu Hitam by Kimo Stamboel (Rapi Films)

11. Susi Susanti Love All by Sim F. (Damn! I Love Indonesian Movies,Oreima Films, East West Synergy)

12. The Science of Fictions by Yosep Anggi Noen (KawanKawan Media, Angka Fortuna Sinema, Limaenam Films)

 

Recommended films by category:

1. Artistic director

• Ananta Harshawardhana in Lampor: Keranda Terbang (Lampor: The Flying Casket)
• Roni Mun’im in Si Manis Jembatan Ancol (Bloodlust Beauty)

2. Visual effects director

• X. Jo in Habibie & Ainun 3
• Kotak Ide in Mangkujiwo 
• Satriyo P Utomo of Rabbit Studio, Lucas Adhityo of Fire Post Pro and Kholish Abdulhaq of Blessink Studio in Sebelum Iblis Menjemput Ayat 2 (May the Devil Take You: Chapter Two)

3. Sound director

• Sutrisno, Mohamad Ikhsan in Mangkujiwo 
• Arief Budi Santoso in Sebelum Iblis Menjemput Ayat 2

4. Editor

• Maulana Ali Ridho in Darah Daging (Flesh and Blood)

5. Music director

• Ofel Obaja in Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (One Day We’ll Talk About Today)

6. Theme song composer

• “Fine Today” by Ardhito Pramono in Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini
• “Teman Sampai Surga” (Soul mate) by Jessilardus Mates and lyrics by Ditto & Ayudia in Teman Tapi Menikah 2 (Friend but Married 2)
• “Dari Kata Turun ke Hati” (Down to the Heart) by Andi Rianto and lyrics by Titien Wattimena in Toko Barang Mantan (Ex’ Stuff Store)

7. Costume designer

• Aldie Harra in Si Manis Jembatan Ancol

8. Make-up designer

• Aktris Handradjasa, Teguh Widodo in Habibie & Ainun 3

9. Supporting Actress

• Ratna Riantiarno in Love For Sale 2