One more high quality Indonesian feature that will likely appear in April,
"The Mirror Never Lies" or
"Laut Bercermin". Helmed by a very young director
Kamila Andini, daughter of senior director
Garin Nugroho, this movie won't just put on a meaningful story, but also promoting the Indonesian tourism. Filmed and set in Wakatobi, "The Mirror Never Lies" will bring you numerous beautiful scenaries of this location, while introducing the in-depth real life of Bajo people, indigenous community in Wakatobi. Moreover, this movie is also made to raise people's awareness of environmental issues.
"The Mirror Never Lies" tells a story about Pakis (
Gita Novarita), a twelve-year-old girl whose father is missing while he's sailing. Her father used to tell her stories before he goes sailing, but after one night he actually never comes back. Overly frustrated by this, Pakis isn't able to sleep until now. With only a mirror which her father gave her, she keeps looking for his reflection that never be seen. She believes that through a traditional ritual that involves a mirror and water, the mirror never lies. Pakis' mother (
Atiqah Hasiholan), the nowly 32 years old single parent, tries to keep her daughter stays in reality but instead kills Pakis' hopes and dreams to find her father. Pakis' mother keeps on denying about the fact that her husband won't come back, and with desperation she finally covers her face with a thick powder.
There's a light of hope when a 28 years old researcher named Tudo (
Reza Rahadian) comes to their lives. Tudo comes to the Bajou village for a dolphin research. His fiancee left him one day before the wedding, and coming to Wakatobi is also his 'runaway plan' from reality. He finds that the sound of dolphin reflects his true self, someone who never understands what a woman wants, but still searching for the right woman for him. Tudo's presence enlighten Pakis and her mother's hope, but it also causes another problem: a love triangle. Pakis sees Tudo as her 'first love', while Pakis' mother feels she finally finds her lost love after all this time. Even so, Tudo is still looking for the answer of what love is. Three of them finally learn many of lessons beneath the beautiful sea.
Aren't you all excited for this movie?! I absolutely am! Wakatobi is one of the most beautiful places in the world, I'm telling you. Choosing Wakatobi and its culture as the setting of this movie is simply a brilliant idea. The audience will not just enjoy the drama of the story, but also cultural knowledge. Wakatobi is an archipelago located in South Eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia, and is also the home of Operation Wallacea, a UK non profit research group about sustainable development of fisheries and coral reef. Its indigenous tribe, Bajo, is often called as the 'sea gypsie', for they always living nomadically, and they build their houses above the sea, literally.
"The Mirror Never Lies" is a debut movie for Kamila Andini, the 23 years old director. She said she's been interested in oceanic themed features. She worked with WWF Indonesia (World Wildlife Fund) and local government of Wakatobi for this movie, for they are also supporting Andini's idea to promote natural and environmental issues. Her father, Garin Nugroho, also supported her as a producer, as well as
Nadine Chandrawinata, the coral reef ambassador from Indonesia.
Dirmawan Hatta, who previously nominated as Best Script Writer at Festival Film Indonesia (FFI - Indonesian Film Festival) 2008 and the writer of
"King", writes the screenplay. Last year's FFI Best Actor winner Reza Rahadian takes the leading part along with Atiqah Hasiholan, daughter of Indonesian artist and women activist
Ratna Sarumpaet.
Below is the teaser trailer of "The Mirror Never Lies":
The release date of this movie is still unknown. However, I asked Nadine Chandrawinata about it and she said it will be still released in April. Stay tune for more updates of this movie!
