There has been a murder in town and the locals are suspicious of each other as the authorities start an investigation.

Belenggu (Shackle), the latest movie by the talented writer-director Sartri Dania “Upi” Sulfiati, opens with a talk in the town about the murder.

At the center of the mystery is Elang (Abimana Aryasatya), a bartender who lives alone in a rickety apartment.

He struggles every night with nightmares that all involve a pretty woman, a neighboring housewife and her child covered in blood, knives and a mysterious person in rabbit costume holding an axe.

The nightmares never stop. Elang comes to believe that the dreams are related to the murder, with the mysterious individual in a rabbit costume playing a key role.

Elang only talks to a few people about the murder and his weird dreams. One of them is the neighboring housewife, Djenar (Laudya Cintya Bella). He feels the need to protect Djenar and her daughter, Senja (Avrilla), from an unfortunate ending that he sees in his nightmares.

Elang learns that Djenar may be fearful of her controlling husband (Verdi Solaiman), which makes him certain that the husband cannot be trusted.

At work, Elang sees the attractive woman in his dream several times, but he never gets the chance to communicate with her. Then one night, he sees the woman slapped in the face by a man.

Elang helps the woman by taking her to his apartment for further treatment. The woman’s name is Jingga (Imelda Therinne) and she is a prostitute. A crazy old lady (Bella Esperance) tries to warn Elang over the bad luck he may have attracted for saving her, but Elang remains committed to protecting Jingga.

It has been a long time coming, but Upi has finally realized her childhood dream to write and direct a psychological thriller.

Belenggu carries a strong plot and story idea and is seasoned with puzzling details that drive curiosity.

Inspired by Twin Peaks, a TV serial drama back in the 1990s that is in the same genre, Upi’s movie seems to be influenced by Hollywood movies.

Portrayals of living in apartment buildings, Elang’s breakfast habits in a coffee shop with a cup of hot coffee and an over easy egg with potatoes, the religious symbolism of crosses and nuns as well as a Western-style bar are all well constructed.

Upi even slips in her made-up “Jakarta Taksi” brand on a taxi to keep the originality of her set.

Abimana gives a laudable performance as Elang while Imelda shows off her acting qualities with her character. Meanwhile, young star Avrilla also steals some of the limelight.

However, Belenggu carries a stiff script, making characters talk in formal Indonesian language. Some actors, however, manage to ease the rigidity by throwing in casual language between their lines.

Belenggu was screened at the 2012 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea and is scheduled to shown at the 2013 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival in April.

Belenggu
(Falcon Pictures, 100 minutes)
Director: Upi
Cast: Abimana Aryasatya, Laudya Cintya Bella, Imelda Therinne, Avrilla, Verdi Solaiman, Bella Esperance, Jajang C. Noer
Screenwriter: Upi
Producers: H.B. Naveen, Frederica, Upi

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