Jogja Asia-Pacific Film Festival (JAFF) 2024 will run from November 30 to December 7 at Empire XXI, Yogyakarta. It will feature the best films from the Asia-Pacific region.
According to the festival’s program director, Alexander Matius, 180 movies from 25 countries will be screened at the festival, including those screened in top festivals such as Venice and Cannes Film Festivals.
“It is interesting if we talk about film industry in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. In my opinion, film makers from Southeast Asia nations always have time to gather and discuss, creating a room for collaboration. No wonder that the power is big and they can participate in international events,” Alexander added.
The JAFF 2024 does not only offer films, but also workshops, discussions, and music performance. Alexander added that this year’s festival will also hold JAFF Market, which features networking events, talent showcases, and seminars.
Here are the five most recommended movies at JAFF 2024 you cannot miss:
Viet and Nam (Viet Nam-Philippines)
This film was featured at several film festivals, such as the Toronto Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival, this year. This film is about Viet and Nam, two coal miners who shared their memories together before having a separate life as Nam will move abroad for a better future.
Source:@GhentFilmFest on Youtube
Director: Minh Quoy Trong
However, Nam has one mystery to solve; the remains of his father, a soldier who died and might not have been aware that he had a baby son at that time. Nam and Viet will go to the Cambodian border with Nam’s mother.
Stranger Eyes (Singapore, Taiwan, USA, France)
The thrilling story was about a family who was under surveillance after losing their baby daughter mysteriously. As the family calls for an investigation to nab the stalker, secrets emerge, complicating their marriage ties.
Source: @filmlinc at Youtube
The film pictures the complex situation when someone is under surveillance, triggering paranoia and ruining personal life.
Stranger Eyes was featured at the Venice Film Festival and won two awards at Golden Horse in Taiwan. It also won at the Valladolid Film Festival.
Director: Yeo Sieuw Hua
Tale of The Land (Indonesia)
Alexander stated that this movie was one of the films anticipated at the festival, given that tickets had already been sold out.
Tale of the Land is unique because it uses the Kutai language, an indigenous language from East Kalimantan. The film was screened at the Busan International Film Festival.
Source:@kawankawanmedia on Youtube
Tale of the Land is about a Dayak tribe girl named May who was traumatized by the tragic death of her parents due to land conflict. May decided to live with her grandfather in a floating house.
The footage reflects the challenges indigenous people face as industrialization and the pressures of the modern world have severely affected their habitats.
Director: Loeloe Hendra
Don’t Cry Butterfly (Indonesia, Viet Nam, Singapore, and the Philippines)
The comedy genre film was the only Asian movie that won Venice Critic’s Week at the Venice Film Festival. It has competed in numerous festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival.
Source: @momofilmco on Youtube
The story was about a middle-aged woman who works as a wedding planner. She is shocked when she finds out that her husband is cheating on her.
Instead of confronting him and his mistress, the woman voodoos her cheating husband back. But mysterious things happen, such as cracks in the ceiling and others.
Director: Duong Dieu Linh
Cinta Tak Seindah Drama Korea (Love Unlike in K-Dramas)(Indonesia)
The movie is about a girl named Dhea—a K-drama fan—who gets a surprise trip to South Korea from her boyfriend, Bimo. Dhea is not interested in luxury goods. She then goes to South Korea with her two best friends.
However, Dhea faces a dilemma as she meets again with Julian, her first love. Dhea’s best friends are divided: One supports Bimo, and the other is with Julian.
Source: @cinema21 on Youtube
The film will be screened at cinemas on December 5
Director: Ernest Prakarsa
