'Telegram' fails to get message across<\/p>\n
Joko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Some filmmakers would blame the audiences if their art-house
\nmovies failed to get enough attention. They would say that public
\nwas not ready to appreciate their movies which require more
\nbrains to digest than pop films.<\/p>\n
Others would say they were aware that their films would not
\nperform well at the box office since the genre only attracted
\nsmall audiences.<\/p>\n
Sometimes they are right to say either way. That is when the
\nfilms they produce really reach the quality of a good movie,
\nregardless of genre.<\/p>\n
Local filmmakers have only managed to produce a few excellent
\nart-house style movies. They include the haunting Revolusi
\nHarapan (Revolution of Hope) which was directed by Nanang
\nIstiabudi, who has not been heard from since.<\/p>\n
Despite high praise for all of his films, art-film director
\nGarin Nugroho, arguably, has only made one film which is really
\nsatisfying. The movie is the hypnotic Surat Untuk Bidadari (A
\nLetter to an Angel) which will take you to a place never before
\nimagined.<\/p>\n
Watching these films is really a rewarding experience despite
\nthe fact that you have to make your brain do extra work to digest
\nwhat the movies try to say.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the latest release
\nby prominent director Slamet Rahardjo Djarot.<\/p>\n
Telegram is one of those movies which you will hate for having
\nbeen funded by some generous international art organization but
\nended up only satisfying the filmmakers themselves.<\/p>\n
It is only the kind of movies which will win some award in
\nsome less prestigious film festival for having pictures which now
\nhave been recognized by film audiences abroad as trademarks for
\nIndonesian films: slums or sands.<\/p>\n
The film is bleak and completely unrewarding.<\/p>\n
Reporter\/singer Sujiwo Tejo stars as a journalist named Daku
\nwho, like many of us, thinks that life stinks.<\/p>\n
His only sanctuary is a woman named Rosa (Ayu Azhari) whom he
\nmade love to about 3,000 times(!), and his 11 year-old adopted
\ndaughter named Sinta.<\/p>\n
Oh, he is also a regular customer of a prostitute named Norma
\nwho works at a red-light district near his office.<\/p>\n
Once in a while, the Daku character will receive a telegram
\nfrom his family in Bali informing him that his mother is sick.<\/p>\n
The film is fatally slow-paced which does not only lull but
\nalso makes the audience lose their interest for the movie.<\/p>\n
You will have to try hard not to laugh out loud when actors
\nsay supposedly poetic, deeply meaningful words which only come
\nacross as corny dialog.<\/p>\n
The film supposedly tells the story about the clash between
\ntraditional cultures and modern practical beliefs.<\/p>\n
Daku is worried that the next telegram will contain the news
\nof his mother's death. This would mean he must to return to Bali
\nto arrange a traditional Hindu ritual which is very expensive.<\/p>\n
However, this information is only given in the film's press
\nkit but nowhere in the film!<\/p>\n
What we got in the movie is only co-star Sujiwo mumbling words
\nabout his disappointment of traditional culture, in his
\nunderwear. Sujiwo revealed the film initially contained a scene
\nwhere he masturbated but it did not make the final cut. Thank
\nGod.<\/p>\n
Unlike Slamet's Marsinah which is suspended from release due
\nto its content which does not seem to please the authorities, the
\nacting department does not help Telegram.<\/p>\n
The actors give broad performances. You will even try to
\nfigure out why actress Ayu Azhari won Best Actress at the Asia
\nPasific Film Festival this year.<\/p>\n
The story from prominent author Putu Wijaya who co-scripted
\nthe film is hopelessly dated as it asks the audience to try hard
\nto suspend their disbelief that Daku's family would not use the
\ntelephone instead of telegram.<\/p>\n
However, it is only a small portion of the film's many flaws.
\nThe biggest one would be its failure to deliver its message due
\nmostly to the film's poor structure.<\/p>\n
The filmmakers and co-star Sujiwo Tejo seem wanting to
\nchallenge the pretentiousness of the society and tear it to
\npieces. Let's hope that they will be aware that they are about to
\nbe backed up by their own nemesis.<\/p>\n
Telegram, ** out of four stars;
\nStarring Sujiwo Tejo, Ayu Azhari;
\nDirected by Slamet Rahardjo Djarot;
\nAn Ekpraya Tata Cipta Film\/
\nArtcam International Production<\/p>",
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