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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Culture & Society

Director Bernardus Raka Debuts Film 'Nobody Loves Kay,' Exploring Friendship's Scars

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Bernardus Raka debuts his first feature film, "Nobody Loves Kay," on June 4, 2026.
  • The film explores themes of friendship conflict, drawing from Raka's personal experiences.
  • Raka hopes the film conveys a sincere message of apology and the value of friendship.

Filmmaker Bernardus Raka makes his feature film debut with "Nobody Loves Kay," set to release in cinemas on June 4, 2026. This marks a significant career step for Raka, who previously focused on music videos and short films.

The film delves into the complexities of friendship, a theme deeply rooted in Raka's personal past. He described the exploration of friendship conflicts as the most emotionally taxing part of the production. This narrative stems from his own reflections on relationships with old friends in Surabaya, whom he left behind to pursue a career in the capital city.

Raka admitted to making mistakes in his past friendships. He views "Nobody Loves Kay" as a form of apology to those he left behind. "I didn't get here by not leaving my friends in Surabaya. It doesn't mean I never wronged them, never betrayed them. I did that too, and perhaps this film is my apology to the friends I left behind," Raka stated during a press conference in Jakarta on May 28, 2026.

Directing "Nobody Loves Kay" represents an unexpected career leap for Raka. He initially intended to concentrate on music video projects but seized the opportunity after connecting with a strong team of producers, scriptwriters, and actors. The film's premiere is particularly emotional for Raka, coinciding with his recent marriage five days prior. His wife's presence at the premiere provided significant moral support as he navigated the release of his first major work. "Honestly, the last 1-2 weeks have been quite chaotic in my head. I was nervous, because first, I got married 5 days ago, and then today I'm releasing a film, and my wife is there," Raka shared.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.