9808: An Anthology of 10th Year Indonesian Reform

In May 1998 something happened in Indonesia that no one had thought possible. After persistent demonstrations, primarily by students, the repressive era of President Suharto came to an end. Many film makers from the present generation were closely involved in this revolution at the time. In this omnibus film, ten film makers look back on events. Behind a beautiful initiative one occasionally finds important people who remain invisible. In this case that is Prima Rusdi, an experienced scriptwriter, who encouraged ten young film makers to stand still and look back on the important month of May in 1998, when Indonesia acquired a new and open face. In Where Was I, Anggun Priambodo returns to the memorable month of May using ten photographs. Ariani Darmawan makes fun of her name in Sugihart halim, but that has a political significance. Trip to the Wound by Edwin was screened in Rotterdam last year and again now in order to complete the ten. In Meet Jen, Hafiz made a portrait of a certain Jen, the man who didn't change. In Happiness Morning Light Ifa Isfansyah followed his subject as far as Beijing in order to look back on a trauma in Jakarta. Lucky Kuswandi experienced the Festival of the Chinese New Year that once had to be celebrated underground in A Letter of Unprotected Memories. Otty Widasari provides an autobiographical review of the past decade with Yesterday. Steve Pillar Setiabudi presents several secondary school pupils who tackle corruption at their school in Our School, Our Lives. The title of Wisnu Suryapratama's The Cat 9808 Chronicles of a Former Demonstrator says it all.