Promising Indonesian Film "Our Son" Makes Waves in Industry

Emerging Filmmaker Luhki Herwanayogi, recognized for his stirring short film "On Friday Noon" and a recipient of the 2021 Locarno Open Doors Award, has another intriguing project on the horizon. His debut feature film, "Our Son" is part of the exciting lineup for the JAFF Future Project this year, a program that supports and broadcasts projects still in progress. This gripping film unfurls a fascinating tale of two couples sans children, who navigate the complexities of raising a son conceived from a clandestine love affair.

This promising Indonesian project, helmed by Herwanayogi and producer Iqbal Mohammad Hamdan through Catchlight Pictures and Qun Films, stands valiantly among the carefully curated Asia-Pacific titles selected for the JAFF Future Project. Exhibitors will find it at the JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The project has already roused attention, winning the Purin Award for the best project from Southeast Asia at the Busan Asian Film School Pitching Project back in 2019.

" Our Son" introduces us to Lita, an ambitious young bank employee who sparks a romance with Sandi, a thriving furniture businessman, after years apart. Their worlds collide when Lita enlists Sandi's expertise to deck out her new home. Amidst regular visits, Sandi crosses paths with Lita's husband Bob, a hard-working miner, and introduces his wife Eli to the circle. Under the societal pressure of having children, they form an unexpected bond, notably between Lita and Eli.

As the story unfolds, Lita gives birth to a son, Aryo, who becomes the central figure in their lives. Although Lita and Bob are kept busy with their demanding jobs, Sandi and Eli embrace the role of part-time caregivers. A sudden twist in the tale emerges when Aryo falls critically ill and needs a blood transfusion, only to find Sandi is the matching donor - unveiling the lingering secret that Aryo is the product of Lita and Sandi's affair.

Going beyond a mere storyline, Herwanayogi reflects on societal challenges present in many Indonesian families - the social pressure that creates an unseen tsunami of problems. "These issues are often swept under the rug, becoming a towering heap of intergenerational issues", Herwanayogi notes. For him, unearthing these issues and giving them life through film is a mission in itself.

The film seeks to ignite conversations about judgment and individual autonomy. Luhki emphasizes, "Each person has their own dilemmas and walks their own path in life, and it's not our place to pass judgment".

Hamdan echoes the shared commitment to the project, applauding both Luhki's directorial prowess and the film's market potential. "Luhki and I share a professional canvas of over 15 years," Hamdan reveals. "His directorial vision is compelling, matched by his professional work ethic, the perfect recipe for industry success."

Believing in the universal appeal of "Our Son", Hamdan declares, "The mix of a universally resonating theme and local relevance strikes a chord with audiences, making it a promising contender in both local and international markets." With eyes set on post-production support and distribution partnerships at the JAFF Market, the team is preparing paths for global visibility.

The JAFF Future Project, functioning as a development platform and co-production hub, is designed to propel independent works toward completion and distribution. Happening between Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 at the Jogja Expo Center, Yogyakarta, it is a significant part of the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival.