East Cinema
East Cinema focuses on films from conflict areas in the world and Eastern Indonesia. This program is based on our commitment to provide references for the Indonesian people and build mutual understanding. The films presented emphasize the values of tolerance, difference, and the spirit of peace.
We believe that East Cinema is not only a film program but also a movement to introduce films from areas outside the mainstreams and address minority issues from minority areas. This year, East Cinema will present films from conflict areas in the world and Eastern Indonesia, and also launch the book Durian on My Head by Amir Masoud Soheil.
This year’s East Cinema presents films from Afghanistan, Syria, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Palu. Films from conflict areas will tell about the fate of people who must leave their country and survive in a new one, making peace with the pain of losing a family, the difficulty of obtaining basic necessities such as water, and various other problems experienced in areas still raging with war and so on. Meanwhile, the film from Eastern Indonesia tells the story of how Muslim youths, with young spirit alight, try to wrestle with the values taught by their parents.
The photo book Durian on My Head will be present for the first time in Indonesia at this festival. This book by Amir Masoud Soheili, an Iranian director and photographer, presents dozens of photos during his tour of Indonesia. It’s not just the captivating photos that make it interesting, but also the evocative stories accompanying the photos that are the real strength of this book. These honest stories about differences and peace open our eyes that humans actually love each other.
“Durian on My Head” (Aku Kejatuhan Durian Runtuh)
by Amir Masoud Soheili
Masoud Soheili’s love for Indonesia is expressed through his photo book, Durian on My Head. This book not only contains his beautiful photos during his stay in Indonesia. This book will invite us to explore one by one Masoud Soheili’s memories of the hospitality, friendly smiles, and warmth of the Indonesian people.
Masoud Soheili explored Java and all the way to Sulawesi. He is not the type of traveler who stays in hotel in a city, he actually often stays at people’s houses. His origin and religious background could sometimes spark hostility, but this was never the case at all. The Indonesians he met always offered friendship even when they knew that he was from Iran and not Sunni. Through his honest story about difference and peace, we are reminded again that humans are human, regardless of their background. Indonesia and Iran are actually two countries that have historical ties, including how Islam came into Indonesia, which was heavily influenced by Persia.
This discussion will bring together Amir Masoud Soheili as the author of Durian on My Head, Agustinus Wibowo, a writer who has traveled extensively including to countries in South Asia—one of which is Iran—and Henry Vienayoko, a traveler who has lived in Iran and often tackles social issues and entrepreneurship.
These three sources all have their memories and stories about Indonesia and Iran. The three will share their perspectives on seeing Iran and Indonesia.
Speakers
Amir Masoud Soheili (Film Director and Photographer)
Agustinus Wibowo (Author)
Henry Vienayoko (Gagas Inspirasi Nusantara)
Moderator
Sofia Setyorini (Founder of East Cinema)
Sunday, October 09, 2022 at 7 - 8.30 pm | Live on Madani IFF YouTube Channel
Scent of Life
Mohsen Hossaini | Drama | 2020 | 7 min | Afghanistan | Sub: English | 13+
Ahmad and Rasoul gathers in a certain location everyday. In one moment, Rasoul notices Ahmad’s problem so he doesn’t come to that location the next day to prepare a gift for Ahmad and his mother.
Night
Ahmad Saleh | Drama | 2021| 16 min | Palestine | Sub: English | 13+
The dust of war keeps the eyes sleepless. Night brings peace and sleep to all the people in the broken town. Only the eyes of the mother of the missing child stay resilient. Night has to trick her into sleeping to save her soul.
Awards:
Best International Short, Gimli Film Festival 2022, Canada
Best Animation, Emerging Lens Cultral Film Festival 2022, Canada
Special Mention, Malmö Arab Film Festival 2022, Sweden
Best Animation, AmDocs 2022, USA
Happy Land
Nour Khair Alanam | Drama | 2022 | 23:30 min | Syria | Sub: English | 13+
Summer 2022, Damascus city, the fates of three people (a father, a drunkard, and a transport worker) intersect in one day due to a small incident, in which their plans and fates change, and all of them try to survive their day with the least possible losses.
World Premiere at Madani International Film Festival 2022, Indonesia
Sheta
Karam Awni Awadat | Drama | 2022 | 15 min | Sweden | Sub: English | 13+
The film tells the story of a Syrian couple who get married without the consent on their families due to their different religions. They flee the war in Syria to Jordan and live in very difficult conditions in a neighborhood in Amman.
Last Ride of the Day
Sarah Adilah | Drama | 2020 | 15 min | Indonesia | Sub: English | 13+
Nadia (15) spends her last day riding a motorbike with her boyfriend amid a feeling of loss before leaving Palu and being sent to an Islamic boarding school by her dad (50) who always forbids her to go dating.
Awards:
Honorable Mention, Kuala International Film Festival in the Sky, 2022, Malaysia
High People
Feras M. Mouhammad | Drama | 2022 | 20 min | Syria | Sub: English |17+
It’s about the time between night and early morning in the underground of Damascus, which follows a group of people who work at night.
I Wish Our House Had Water
Mustafa Monji | Drama | 2022 | 16.22 min | Afghanistan | Sub: English | 13+
Hazara People still live in caves and face many problems. They face thousands of dangers in large families but the greatest danger is that of running out of water.
Stride
Mazin M. Sherabayani | Drama | 2022 | 14.45 min | Iraq | Sub: English | 13+
Single-mother Nasreen, who lives with her two kids in a shantytown, attempts to provide for her family through desperate times and measures. However, her struggle clashes with her dominant ex-husband and the patriarchal society surrounding her, ultimately forcing Nasreen to decide the fate of her family’s future.
Awards:
Best Short Film, Oniros Film Awards 2019, Italy
Oniros Film Awards, 12 Months International Film Festival 2019, Romania
Swimming Lesson
Vardit Goldner | Drama | 2021 | 5.21 min | Palestine | Sub: English | 13+
A mockumentary film in which I teach Bedouin girls to swim in a waterless “pool”. It aims to stimulate thought about the lack of swimming pools accessible to Bedouins in Israel, actually denying them swimming lessons and causing frequent cases of drowning.
Between The Barricades
Jude Elziq | Drama | 2022 | 9.30 min | Palestine | Sub: English | 13+
9-year-old Aya is too young to understand the politics of occupation but faces the restrictions of not being able to play outside anymore. One night soldiers raid her home, leaving her younger brother trembling behind their bedroom door. It is this night that Aya attempts to muster up the courage to face her monsters to liberate herself from the barricades that surround her.