Student activism highlighted in 'Laut Bercerita' film with popular approach

Director Yosep Anggi Noen is adapting Leila S. Chudori's novel "Laut Bercerita" for the screen, opting for a popular approach to bridge the story's 1998 setting with today's viewers.

Anggi explained that the film, which tackles student activism, is intentionally not a rigid historical film. Instead, it leverages popular culture to foster emotional connection. "We made this film with a popular approach. So it's not a very stiff historical film approach, but this is a popular film," Anggi said.

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We made this film with a popular approach. So it's not a very stiff historical film approach, but this is a popular film.

He believes incorporating pop culture elements makes the narrative relatable across generations. The film blends political themes with love and family stories, enhanced by well-known music, including tracks by Efek Rumah Kaca and Iwan Fals. Even contemporary popular songs are featured within the 1990s setting to strengthen the atmosphere.

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I think what an artist can do is be a window for something. How it is perceived later is up to the owner or filmmaker.

Anggi, who was a junior high student during the 1998 events, noted that his understanding of pop culture broadened with age through books and films. He sees film as a medium that can open a window for audiences to understand events. Regarding potential controversy over the film's themes of student activism and political events, Anggi stated that art is interpretive. "I think what an artist can do is be a window for something. How it is perceived later is up to the owner or filmmaker," he remarked.

Acknowledging the film as a commercial product, Anggi emphasized that its core strength lies in the novel itself, which has been reprinted multiple times and read by various generations. "The strength of this film is in its book. The proof is that it has been reprinted several times, read by generations. My nephew even read the book," he said. He views the novel's enduring appeal as a key reason for the film to act as a bridge between literature and a wider audience. The biggest production challenge for Anggi was convincingly recreating the details of the 1990s, a period piece requiring significant preparation and effort due to the meticulous attention needed for every visual detail.

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The strength of this film is in its book. The proof is that it has been reprinted several times, read by generations. My nephew even read the book.