Indonesia’s KawanKawan Media has unveiled the trailer for “Tale of the Land,” marking the directorial debut of Loeloe Hendra. The film has been selected for the New Currents competition at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival.
Set against the backdrop of Borneo, “Tale of the Land” is a coming-of-age story inspired by indigenous communities facing land conflicts, woven with elements of fantasy. The narrative follows May, a Dayak girl traumatized by her parents’ deaths in a land dispute, who struggles to connect with the land. Living with her grandfather in a floating house on a lake, May’s story unfolds predominantly on water.
Hendra shared his vision, stating, “‘Tale of the Land’ presents a tale of the land. It combines my childhood imagination with the current social realities of Kalimantan, highlighting the shifts and changes in our environment.”
The film features rising stars Shenina Cinnamon and Arswendy Bening Swara, both recognized for their recent work. Cinnamon appeared in the 2023 Busan title “24 Hours with Gaspar,” while Swara earned the Best Actor award at the 2022 Marrakech International Film Festival for “Autobiography.” The duo previously starred together in Garin Nugroho’s “Badrun & Loundri,” and they are joined by fellow Indonesian actors Angga Yunanda and Yusuf Mahardika.
Producers Yulia Evina Bhara and Amerta Kusuma, known for acclaimed films like the Venice winner “Autobiography” and Cannes-winning “Tiger Stripes,” encountered unique challenges during production. Bhara explained, “Tale of the Land was filmed on an inland river delta that transforms dramatically during the rainy season. Our main task was to capture the right moment when the water flow was at its peak.”
The film is a co-production with the Philippines’ Popple Pictures, featuring Armi Cacanindin as co-producer, alongside Taiwan’s Aview Images, with Shee Heng Kuek and Alice You also contributing as co-producers.
