Under the Tree

Directed by Garin Nugroho (Opera Jawa). Starring Marcella Zalianty, Dwi Sasono, Ayu Laksmi, Ikranagara and Nadia Saphira.

Consists of three stories, all centered around motherhood. The first story was about a woman who went to Bali to find out what her real mother was like and whether she had ever actually loved her. The second was about a woman having a troubled pregnancy, and is in doubt with her abortion decision. The third was about a young local celebrity who has lost her mother, her father was arrested, leaving her alone and aimless, seeking for a guidance, a figure. All these stories were set in Bali.

I loved that the stories took place in Bali. Like millions of people across the globe who fell in love with the island, I did too. I spent up to six months living there and was in love with it, and am still in love with it. First of all, I agree that not every film should have a beginning and an end. Some films just don't have one or any of them, including Under the Tree. It took a look at the lives of these three women, who didn't know one another, their struggles during certain periods in their lives. One of them had an apparent plot, but the other two were just floating. It felt less artistic than Opera Jawa, had less singing and dancing, and shot in a way that made the film feel indie-ish. Some performances were great, especially Ayu Laksmi as a mother unwilling to give up her unborn child and also Dwi Sasono (who starred in Mengejar Mas-Mas, a wonderful film shamefully degraded by its own filmmakers by the way they marketed it), who played a young man with a possible oedipus complex, seeing his mother's figure in Marcella Zalianty. I think the theme about motherhood was touching and some subplots were comical and lovable, all round up in a nice package. However, I find it less charming than Opera Jawa, less soulful. Some performances and dialogues felt forced and unnatural, thus stripping some charm off of the film. Sometimes it also felt half-baked, like it was torn between trying to be realistic and artistic at the same time. I personally prefer Opera Jawa, although this one deserves checking out too. Nevertheless, all that being said, I can proudly say that it is an honor and a treat for us moviegoers to have Garin Nugroho as a part of Indonesian cinema.

7 / 10.