Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash

I didn't watch "Jiaoma hall meeting", but only said a few I've seen. I feel that Locarno is weak as a whole this year. Among these films, this one is undoubtedly the most prominent in typology and author style. Although the story doesn't impress me very much, it's gratifying to see that there are directors in Indonesia who are willing to tell the story according to the shooting method of Hong Kong films in the last century. There is almost no such inheritance in Hong Kong. On the contrary, it is an interesting cultural phenomenon that young creators in other countries have gained the shade.

All the awards acquired by this movie is very much well deserved!!! Great performance by all the cast and well-crafted action scenes. It's one of the best movies I've ever watched.

This movie is very wild and pleasant to watch. The choice to shoot with film in this digital era made the movie even more romantic. Grainy textures, rough cuts during action scenes and the use of formal Indonesian language throws a nostalgic feel to this movie. A subtle nudge to toxic masculinity, which highlights Ajo Kawir's struggle to be a man for his wife, in a patriarchal society.

Ajo Kawir, a young man from Bojongsoang who is not afraid of anyone and has a desire to fight. Once upon a time, he met a formidable female fighter named Iteung. Since his meeting with Iteung, Ajo Kawir's life changes and falls in love with Iteung. However, he has the problem that he is impotent. The lives of the two of them also include various obstacles.

Like Dendam, Rindu Harus Bayar Tuntas is an Indonesian drama novel by Eka Kurniawan. To be honest, I haven't read the novel. However, looking at this film, it seems that I don't need to distinguish the content of the story in the film from the novel. This movie I think looks good. This film shows the story and condition of Indonesia in the past which is so real according to the 90s. The setting, timing and even the appearance of the characters in this film really feel classic. Likewise, the dialogue feels like a 90s-era movie that has a rigid speaking style and standard language. Not spared also with a lot of swearing remarks that are quite frequent. In addition, this film does not escape the action of a very cool fight. The choreo of the fight between Ajo and Iteung or Iteung with Budi Baik is fairly like a 90s action movie that still looks good.

The film presents a dense conflict and is built on the point. This film brings us to see the problems that occur between Ajo Kawir and Iteung.

The film presents an adult conflict that looks ambiguous for now, namely the issue of sexuality, specifically the problem of impotence. No wonder this film presents a conflict from the character Ajo Kawir who has problems with his impotent. Likewise with Iteung who apparently also has her sexuality trauma in her past. Both characters are capable of being developed with carefully constructed and dense dialogue and conflict. The film is full of messages and meanings in life. The film also gives a message to the audience that trauma in sexuality is a special concern that needs to be addressed.

... while the effort is admirable, the film didn't particularly effective in conveying its message. After starting on the right footing, the film struggled to find its fair share of the approach on its narrative choice. The homage to Indonesian 80's B-movies was not entirely convincing either.