Laskar Pelangi

Laskar Pelangi tells a story of a group of friends and their adventures. It's a wonderful story of childhood innocence. Set before my time, the story really drew me into their world.

Socioeconomic issues were addressed from the view point of children. Poverty, access to education, and racial issues were met with positive attitudes. The bond of childhood friendship and innocent first crushes brings back fond memories. Riri Riza brought back some Sherina vibes, a nod to his debut movie.

There was some really cinematic view of the beautiful Belitung, too. Sets and costume was quite on point to bring us back into the time period.

Laskar Pelangi is worth your time. It makes a really good movie night edition for your family.

Have just seen the European Premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. This was the first Indonesian film I had ever seen and did not know what to expect. I was not disappointed. It was colourful, beautifully photographed and well acted by the young cast. The plot was somewhat simplistic and the 'preachy' pro Islamic Education sentiments which were repeated ad-nauseum throughout became rather tiresome. Other systems work as well you know! Despite this I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and only the extremely hard of heart would not have to wipe tears from their eyes at the moving finale. Highly recommended. It deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

This is one of few Indonesian movie that makes me cry, laughs, and inspired at the same time. It show how beautiful Bangka island is. I watch it with my best friend who was originally from Bangka and she said: "This movie capture the beauty of Bangka so perfectly, she felt so touched and want to go home to Bangka." The simple stories of 10 little poor kids studying together in a run down Muslim school. The school has 1 principle, 2 teacher and 10 students.

The story show poverty from a different angle, it doesn't blame poverty instead it reveal the "secret" that the best thing in live can't be bought with money. The pure happiness from extremely poor little children that can barely afford shoes, make us wonder "Why can't we be more satisfied with our lives and start to give more to those who need it?" Friendship, puppy love, willingness to give, faith is the beauty of life, isn't it? The acting of Cut Mini Theo is natural and touching. But the best part of this movies is seeing those innocent children laughs and play in the wilderness, it just pure happiness and you can just felt that it's not fake, it's genuine, the chemistry between this young actors felt so real. Riri Riza is a very talented director and I hope he can bring more of his movies to an international movie platform, he has so much potential.

I'm looking forward for the see the sequel of Laskar Pelangi, because it's adapted from a wonderful book, which I believe has more to the story. This book has make a phenomenon in Indonesia, a big hit in the book community, and a even bigger hit in ALL community in Indonesia. There is even a new book called "Laskar Pelangi, the Phenomenon" because of this is the biggest thing going on right now. The female teacher that inspired the story got a reward because of her dedication to teach poor student from remote area. Indonesia government even reconsider the education policy and make effort to understand the education system in other more untouched village outside the more develop Java.

The author of the book, Andrea Hirata is a brilliant young man. As a back packer, his dream is to live in the highest village in the world, Gompa in the Himalayas. He receive scholarship to study master degree in French and UK and graduated cum laude from both University. This is his first book, and he instantly become the a widely author in Indonesia, from teenager to intellectual professional.

This is definitely a breakthrough in Indonesia movie and literature world

I recommend people to read the book. It's a good movie but the book is stunning.

I came to watch this movie without much expectation and did not know anything about the hype that has been surrounding it. I sat down and ate my popcorn. Then the film started. I watch and watch and watch without noticing that 2 hours has passed and I woke up and now see world and a whole different angle.

This is a story of our lives. We may notice or not, but millions of children were left out there without enough food, shelter, clothes let alone education. Watching this movie and saw how 10 brave rainbow warriors (title of the film) went through harsh life with tears and joy but without remorse, it really moved me how we always look above us with envy but not noticing (or worse, ignore) all the blessing that many other people may not have.

two thumbs up for Andrea Hirata for sharing his life and be motivator for us to understand life better and thankful for the bless God gives us. And a standing applause for Riri Reza and the team for adopting the movie from a different angle. Thank you for showing and moving me to understand and act how a live should be.

I have watched this movie and I will not hesitate to watch it the second time and enjoy how Ikal, Lintang, Mahar and friends share their happiness despite the cruelty of world.