Jalanan

This beautifully shot film by Director and Producer Daniel Ziv gives the viewer a rarely seen inside look at life for three struggling street musicians in Jakarta. I felt like I was right there with Boni, Titi and Ho - crying with them through their struggles and applauding their triumphs. The sound of the busker's music in the streets, and the visually stunning images of the city and countryside of Indonesia make this a truly remarkable film. Amazingly, the filmmaker was able to get inside a Jakarta prison for a night. I will never forget those scenes and the conversations of the so-called prisoners that he caught on film. Bravo!

Welcome to the streets of Jakarta! The city of big social differences between rich and poor. The city where good musicians don't get a chance to be noticed, if their social status is bad. However, they became a part of a city image, by singing on the streets and public buses.

Jakarta is known as a "big durrian" among many people. It's difficult to like the city, because of many problems. Constant traffic jams, big floods, pollution, heat and unemployment. I've been living here for couple of months, and I've been using public transport almost every day. Each day, there is a different performer playing different songs (or just telling their sad story). I have a feeling there are more of them every day. And with so many street performers, unfortunately, really good singers don't get noticed.

This is where our story begins. Three really good singers and songwriters from Jakarta streets are coping with the city mercy in order to get a living. They don't have a place to live, they don't get social help, their lives are full of problems... but they still have lots of energy and positive attitude. "I love Indonesia. But does Indonesia loves me back?" - thoughts of one of the musicians. Jakarta doesn't have a space for all of its people, but our three singers are shown as a big part of the city. The director also criticizes society for being unable to help their own people, but still indicates that there is a chance for everybody to change themselves, and make a better life (which we see in the second part of the movie).

As a conclusion, I hope that more people will see this film, and have better understanding of the issue. I am surprised that I am the one writing the first comment, but I am looking forward to read some opinions of the locals on this web page.

A documentary on a dark subject of the underclass but ultimately leaves one with the feeling that even it their circumstances, the protagonists can find humour,laughter and hope. It's entertaining (although I think the translation sometimes doesn't capture the wit.) and engaging and is probably one of the best documentaries of it's kind. Excellent pacing and the editing is superb.

Filmed over 5 years (as explained by the director) it is somehow a compelling story and it is hard to believe that it was not somehow scripted. It tackles the hopes and fears and captures the essence of what Jakarta is really like beneath.