Penyalin Cahaya Film Won 12 Citra FFI 2021 Awards, Dedication To Sexual Violence Defenders

JAKARTA - Film Penyalin Cahaya, a feature film by director Wregas Bhanuteja, won 12 Citra Awards at the 2021 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), including the categories of Best Feature Film and Best Director.

Film Penyalin Cahaya won the Citra Award for Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenwriter, Best Cinematography Director, Best Artistic Director, Best Image Editor, Best Sound Producer, Best Musical Arranger, Best Theme Songwriter, Best Dressmaker, Best Male Lead, and Best Supporting Actor.

This Penyalin Cahaya achievement with 12 trophies overtook the record for most Citra Awards previously held by Marlina the Killer in Four Acts with 10 awards at FFI 2018.

"Penyalin Cahaya was my first feature-length film, and during the pandemic, it became my opportunity to produce this film. I am very grateful to the people who have so much faith in me, the cast and crew who have been willing to process for months, offline and online," Wregas said in his victory speech at the FFI stage in Jakarta, Wednesday, November 10.

The man from Yogyakarta, born October 20, 1992, said that this film is expected to be able to convey a message about sexual violence more broadly.

"This film contains a strong statement to empower survivors of sexual violence, and to spread a message for us to fight together, considering that sexual violence does not only happen in Indonesia," said Wregas.

Producer Adi Ekatama added that film is a good medium of communication and message delivery. "Films are a medium of communication, triggering wider awareness, and that is the main thing for us," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

When asked about his feelings that the film he produced won a dozen Citra Cups this year, Adi said he didn't expect it.

"I am speechless. Penyalin Cahaya exists because of Wregas' stories and concerns about sexual violence. After this trophy, it is hoped that the message we want to convey can be heard and accepted by more people," said Adi.