Synopsis of ‘Laut Bercerita’ and its release date
Jakarta (ANTARA) – “Laut Bercerita” is among the Indonesian films anticipated in October 2026. Adapted from Leila S. Chudori’s novel, the drama tells of student activism, freedom of expression and the long wait endured by families who have lost loved ones.
The 2-hour-and-15-minute film is directed by Yosep Anggi Noen, who also wrote the screenplay with Chudori. It takes viewers to Yogyakarta in the late 1990s, when a tense political climate made it risky for students to voice their opinions.
Synopsis of ‘Laut Bercerita’
The film centres on Biru Laut, played by Reza Rahadian, a student in Yogyakarta who loves reading and writing. His interest in books and discussion leads him to join a study group called Winatra.
Alongside Daniel (Kevin Julio), Alex (Ben Nugroho), Sunu (Dewa Dayana) and their fellow members, Laut takes part in activities to fight for justice and freedom of expression. For them, reading, discussion and expressing their views are part of the effort to resist injustice.
But tensions on campus rise after three students are arrested for distributing banned books. The situation makes Winatra’s activities increasingly risky. Even so, Laut and his friends continue trying to make their views heard.
The conflict reaches a turning point when Laut and several of his fellow activists disappear one night without a trace. Their disappearance leaves many questions, particularly for their families and those closest to them, who do not know what really happened.
Laut’s father (Arswendy Bening Swara), mother (Christine Hakim) and younger sister, Asmara Jati (Yunita Siregar), must confront the painful reality. They endure a long wait as they seek information about Laut’s whereabouts and fate.
Years after Laut’s disappearance, Asmara and people who knew her brother try to follow the traces he left behind. Their search is not only about finding someone who has gone missing, but also about securing certainty over the fate of the people they love.
Through its characters’ journeys, “Laut Bercerita” portrays friendship, love, betrayal, violence and a family’s resilience in the face of loss. The film also highlights how uncertainty can continue to haunt the lives of those left behind.
Reza Rahadian plays the lead role of Biru Laut. He stars alongside a number of Indonesian actors and actresses in key roles.
The cast includes:
Reza Rahadian as Biru Laut
Yunita Siregar as Asmara Jati
Christine Hakim as Mother
Arswendy Bening Swara as Father
Dian Sastrowardoyo
Eva Celia as Ratih Anjani
Kevin Julio as Daniel
Ben Nugroho as Alex
Dewa Dayana as Sunu
Yoga Pratama
Nagra Kautsar
Natalius Chendana
Afrian Arisandy
Dian Sastrowardoyo and Eva Celia also add to the cast of the film, which tells of student activism in the late 1990s.
“Laut Bercerita” is adapted from Chudori’s novel of the same name, published in 2017. The adaptation brings a story familiar to readers into film, using visual storytelling and the performances of its cast.
Not every scene from the novel could be included because of the film’s limited running time. Chudori said some parts of the story had to be adjusted, although there were scenes she had wanted to retain.
Rahadian, meanwhile, used the novel and screenplay as references to develop the character of Biru Laut. He said there were no significant changes to the character from the earlier version to the feature film.
Noen also worked with Chudori on the screenplay, adapting the novel to the needs of a 135-minute film.
‘Laut Bercerita’ release date
“Laut Bercerita” is scheduled to open in Indonesian cinemas on 29 October 2026.
The release date is close to Youth Pledge Day, commemorated each year on 28 October. Production company Pal8 Pictures hopes the film will serve as a reminder of young people’s courage in pursuing their ideals and speaking out.