‘Desember Jani’ Screens in Tokyo, Personal Yet Universal

‘Desember Jani’ is Ariani Darmawan’s first film after a 15-year hiatus.

Tokyo (ANTARA) – The story of women from three generations of a family in Bandung in ‘Desember Jani’ (‘Jani Be Good’) piqued the curiosity of Japanese audiences who watched it at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2026 on Thursday (29 October).

After the second screening, several audience members asked questions during a brief discussion with director Ariani Darmawan and producer Meiske Taurisia.

“I wanted to show that there is no right or wrong; what matters is bringing the family together,” Ariani told the audience.

‘Desember Jani’ tells the story of Jani (Chempa Puteri), a 13-year-old girl who hears an argument between her older sister, Julia (Hyori Mika), and their mother, Winnie (Sigi Wimala). The following day, Julia leaves without telling anyone.

Winnie is a single mother and the family’s breadwinner, but she is increasingly losing her temper at home. Jani suppresses her anger and finds comfort with her grandmother, Oma (Tutie Kirana), who is saving money for her own funeral.

Jani secretly messages Julia and eventually confronts Winnie. Set over four days in December in the run-up to Christmas, the film follows a young girl’s emotional journey and the relationships between three generations of women.

Differences in national and cultural contexts prompted questions from the audience.

In Japan, Christmas is strongly associated with festive celebrations, dazzling city lights and, of course, snow, as December falls in winter.

One audience member asked about the understated Christmas atmosphere in the film. Indonesia’s tropical character is also reflected in the summer-style clothing worn in December.

“It is actually set in Bandung, which is cooler than Jakarta,” Ariani explained. She said she wanted to show what Christmas celebrations in Indonesia are like.

For Indonesian audiences, Bandung – the director’s hometown – is strongly present in the film, which is part of the Asian Future Competition programme at the Tokyo International Film Festival 2026. The cast’s Sundanese accents, street food and residential streets in Bandung all feature in the film.