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Indonesia: Short Film 'Jalan Pulang' Celebrates Kebaya as Life's Storyteller

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Official statement New plan
  • A new short film, 'Jalan Pulang,' explores the meaning of the traditional Indonesian 'kebaya' through a personal story.
  • The film, released on July 24, 2026, aims to connect the past and present, viewing the kebaya as a symbol of home and family.
  • It follows a young creative director's journey to understand the kebaya's essence, challenging modern interpretations.

The traditional Indonesian garment, the kebaya, is more than just historical attire; it embodies cultural identity, history, and intergenerational emotional bonds. To celebrate National Kebaya Day on July 24, the Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation has released a new short film titled 'Jalan Pulang,' available on the Indonesia Kaya YouTube channel.

If previously we highlighted the kebaya as self-expression and living cultural identity, through Jalan Pulang we want to invite the public to understand that every kebaya holds a story worth continuing.

— Renitasari AdrianProgram Director at Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, explaining the film's purpose.

This cinematic work differs from previous foundation projects by offering a more personal and relatable narrative for young people. The film encourages viewers to see the kebaya not merely as formal wear but as a thread connecting the past to the present. It serves as a warm symbol of home, family embrace, and ancestral lineage, often overlooked in modern life.

Renitasari Adrian, Program Director at Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, explained that the foundation has explored the kebaya from various perspectives over the past three years. "If previously we highlighted the kebaya as self-expression and living cultural identity, through 'Jalan Pulang' we want to invite the public to understand that every kebaya holds a story worth continuing," she stated. Adrian emphasized that wearing a kebaya involves more than just clothing; it carries family history, memories, values, and life journeys that shape individuals.

Kebaya is not just something worn, but also carries family history, memories, values, and life journeys that shape who we are today. Therefore, caring for a kebaya also means caring for the memories and cultural identity inherited across generations.

— Renitasari AdrianFurther elaborating on the significance of the kebaya as a cultural artifact.

'Jalan Pulang' centers on Dara, a young, ambitious creative director tasked with rebranding a legendary kebaya fashion house. Her career hits a critical point when her modern ideas are rejected, prompting her to question her own understanding of the kebaya's true meaning. This existential search leads her back to her mother's home, where she discovers old kebayas destined for donation, prompting a deeper reflection on their significance.

Because every kebaya has a story, and every story is worth continuing.

— Renitasari AdrianConcluding her remarks on the film's message.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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