Had it been a decade and a half ago, anything detailing the darker part of Indonesia’s political years would come with hefty risks. Nowadays, not only can “Sang Penari” be shown on every cinema, but people can freely flock to a film focused on the events surrounding the Suharto’s New Order era. Ifa Isfansyah’s directorial effort is a tribute to how far the country has come in terms of democracy.
Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of David Seidler’s screenplay, “The King’s Speech”, is an artwork rich in dialogue and impressive scenes. Simple, moving, and incredibly funny, it is a gem performed by some of the top echelons of today’s film industry.
“Never Let Me Go” is a story about clones. It is also about what it is to have a soul in the midst of being told otherwise. This adaptation is a soft yet precise approach to Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, reminding those who wept while reading the book to prepare for the same bitter-sweetness in the film.
“August Rush” is a pleasant story about the endurance of faith, the courage to pursue one’s dreams, and the universal power of music — on paper, that is. Unfortunately, there is much to be desired in terms of its translation into film.
“Little Ashes” is a film that attempts to provide answers for the ambiguous but tragic relationship between two prominent creatives, Federico García Lorca and Salvador Dalí. The result is short of glorified tributes, and merely concentrates on being a story about forbidden love. If anything, it’s nice to see Robert Pattinson take on a role that doesn’t look like he just accepted it for the money.