The Dreamer
Synopsis
This film is a cinematic adaptation of Andrea Hirata’s hit novel, SANG PEMIMPI (The Dreamer), the second part of the LASKAR PELANGI (The Rainbow Troops) quartet, following the life of IKAL, son of a low-wage State Tin Company laborer on what was once one of the richest islands in Indonesia: Belitung.
THE DREAMER takes the audience through the adolescent years of Ikal, as well as his cousin ARAI and his friend JIMBRON. In order to continue their education, the boys must leave their village for the port city of Manggar—dozens of kilometers away from their families.
Under the supervision of a young and spirited teacher named Julian Balia, Ikal, Arai and Jimbron become inspired by his fresh ideas to pursue big dreams. They make a promise to stick together to reach their ambitious dream: studying in Paris and traveling the world.
THE DREAMER follows them through their teenage crises as they enter that golden, yet turbulent, high school phase of their lives. Arai comes down with an unbearable love for Zakiah Nurmala, a beautiful girl who is higher in social status, and Jimbron falls for a young, sullen girl working at a grass jelly factory who never, ever smiles. As for Ikal, the humiliation of being poor leads him to anger, and he begins to feel that their ambition is nothing but a big lie. His state of hopelessness not only strains his friendship with Arai and Jimbron, but it also breaks his father’s heart, who has always been nothing but proud of him.
Full of tales of marginalization and the heartbreaking struggle to reach dreams, this film shows the beauty of friendship and the genuine love between a father and child.
Festival & Awards
- Hong Kong International Film Festival 2010 / Global Vision
- Singapore International Film Festival 2010
Awards: NETPAC Award – Critic’s Prize
- Udine Far East Film, Italy 2010
Awards: Audience Award
- Barcelona Asian Film Festival 2010
- Indonesian Film Festival, Vancouver 2010
- Cinemasia 2010, Netherland
- Zlin Film Festival 2010, Czech Republic / Opening Film
- Taipei Film Festival 2010
- Melbourne Internatioal Film Festival 2010
- Zimbabwe International Film Festival 2010 / Opening Film
- Oz Asia Festival 2010, Adelaide, Australia
- Focus On Asia – Fukuoka International Film Festival 2010, Japan
- Vancouver International Film Festival 2010, Canada
- Vietnam International Film Festival 2010
- Bratislava International Film Festival 2010
- Brussels International Independent Film Festival 2010
- Castellinaria – Bellinzona International Film Festival 2010, Switzerland
Awards: CASTELLO D’ORO (Three Castles Award)
- Festival Internacional de Cine para la Infancia y la Juventud (FICI), Madrid – Spain
Awards: Best Film Award – Young Adults Category
- 25th International Children Film Festival at Isfahan- Iran, 2011
Awards: The Golden Butterfly – Best Script Award & CIFEJ Award for Director Riri Riza
Cast
Lukman Sardi,
Mathias Muchus, Nugie,
Landung Simatupang,
Nazril Irham
Release Date
17 Desember 2009
Production Year
2009
Duration
122 Menit
Director
Riri Riza