Hey, readers. Second Obstruction is here! It’s almost the end of July, and I’m glad I can finally post this second blogathon held by Nostra, as part of The Five Obstruction. Here is his challenge for Obstruction #2 :
To know more about this blogathon, click this link and to read my previous entry, click this page.
I figured to do a challenge is to go all the way, at least best I can. One way I can interview a person related to a movie, is by picking a movie by my own country. A while ago, I watched What They Don’t Talk About Love When They Talk About Love (2013) who made it all the way to Sundance Film Festival. The movie was directed by Mouly Surya. I was curious about Mouly Surya’s previous film who is a major success, Fiksi. (2008). Fiksi won lots of big local awards when it was released, and was praised by local and international critics. Furthermore you can read my review first :
“Everything happens for a reason, Alisha.”
Alisha (Ladya Cheryl) is a lonely daughter by a very wealthy man. She fell in love to a pool boy, Bari (Donny Alamsyah). She follow the guy where he lives, even managed to rent a flat beside his and his girlfriend, Renta (Kinaryosih). Though Bari worked here and there, he actually is a serious writer and writing his novel about the people who live in his flat building. Each floor has their own stereotypes and class, and each has interesting stories. As Alisha gets closer to Bari and Renta’s lives, she become more involved also with the people in the building and therefore making her own twist to Bari’s plot novel.
Written by Joko Anwar who is known for his love of thriller and horror movies (director of Dead Time : Kala and Forbidden Door), Fiksi is a mix of romance and thriller. I love how Alisha as a character was really explored and introduced, from her lonely life in her own big rich house, his father whom she hates, and her mother’s ghost who constantly show herself in her dreams. We know that Alisha saw her mother killed herself when she was a child, carrying her brother in her belly. Alisha’s life was pretty caged and set up by her own father.
She begin to found a little spark of her boring life when she saw Bari worked in her house temporary, and when he stopped working, she waited him hours in his neighborhood. She sees her opportunity to be close to him by renting a flat beside his own. Knowing he’s in a serious relationship with Renta doesn’t discourage Alisha, but instead she get along with them, and they welcomed her warmly.
I actually didn’t know much of the story before watching it, but I can say that the plot twists weren’t predictable. It’s been said that Fiksi‘s inspiration was Alice in Wonderland in reverse. And, as the result, it’s an interesting character study of Alisha. But also about how far love can change us and how everything have its cause and effect. And perhaps, in every masterpiece have its own sacrifices and sometimes we need a little push to get our work done. In the big picture, it seems Alisha’s life is a puzzle piece in Bari’s novel. Furthermore I can’t tell without revealing all the story.
Ladya Cheryl can deliver Alisha’s innocence and dark side. Donny Alamsyah and Kinaryosih is a good support for the movie. And the people in the building with their own stories (gay couples, lonely woman and protesting old man) enrich the movie, revealing life bitterness in its own way. Not unforgettable thriller, recommended for you thriller seeker and perhaps seeing a different Indonesian movie.
Movie Score :
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Doni Agustan (32) who now currently busy working as Research Associate for an up-coming animated feature,worked as Art and Production design crew for Fiksi. Doni also have his own blog, Cinema-Que and one of the person who have a big knowledge for movies. Here’s my interview with Doni :
What is your role in the movie Fiksi?
I worked with production designer/art director Eros Eflin and Vida Sylvia as art manager.
Seeing her preppy look, her dolls and cello, exactly what character does Alisha have?
Alisha is an introvert, self-contained, smart, she know what she capable of, psycho-stalker and loner.
I really like the look of the movie, mellow and dark. But I noticed her room in her flat was pretty neat, clean and preppy. Her room is also fancier than other flat. Is there any particular reason?
I think Mouly try to show the audience that the loner like Alisha, always keep everything clean and arranged around her. Somehow i think Alisha having OCD.
Is it true that in reality the people who live in flats (rumah susun) in Jakarta is like what the movie described?
The screenwriter, Joko Anwar was live there before he wrote script. So what the movie described based on his observations and experiences.
What did you enjoy most about working in this movie? Is there any favorite item/scene? Any interesting fact or event behind the scene?
Fiksi was shot in end of 2007, I can’t recall the best moment. But as long as i can remember, i’m having great time with Mouly and team. I spent day and night in that benhil’s flat almost 3 weeks during the shooting, and saw the real life of the characters in Fiksi.
Seeing what the movie accomplished, did you and the crew expected it before?
We watched FFI (Indonesian Film Festival) 2007 on television during the shooting of Fiksi. One year later Fiksi won for best film, director, screenplay and music in FFI 2008. Mouly and the entire crew never imagine that will happened. We are all happy.
Which do you like better, Fiksi or What They Don’t Talk About When They Talk About Love?
I think, i like Fiksi more than WTDTAWTTAL. More thrilled, charming and twisted. And also Ladya is one of my fave actress.
What do you think about Mouly Surya?
Mouly Surya is one of the best female film director we have here. She travel all around the world because of Fiksi and What They Dont Talk About When They Talk About Love is noticed by many film festival. I’m proud of her. Looking forward to work with her in the future.
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Thank you so much, Doni for the interview and Nostra for encouraging me doing this post. As usual, thoughts are welcome!