Cocote Tonggo, When Gunjingan Neighbors Become A Mirror Of Social Life

JAKARTA - The latest film by Bayu Skak, Cocote Tonggo, is ready to be shown in theaters starting May 15. Raising a story close to the lives of Indonesians, especially in the rural environment of Java, this film flicks the habits of people who like to comment on other people's lives, both openly and secretly behind the door of the house.

Set in Solo, the film Cocote Tonggo tells the story of a married couple, Luki and Murni, who have been married for a long time but have not been blessed with children. Ironically, they actually run a family herbal shop business that is famous for its fertility ingredients. Social pressure from the surrounding environment forced them to pretend to be pregnant in order to maintain the reputation and sustainability of family heritage stores.

"Filming the film Cocote Tonggo for 23 days, we maximize filming there. It's good to have one house to another. When we leave Solo, we have a traveling scene. The challenge is trying to get out of our comfort zone. Especially the previous work in East Java. This is Mataraman," said the director, Bayu Skak, when met at Epicentrum XXI, Jakarta on Friday, May 9.

This film not only marks Bayu Skak's exploration within the Javanese cultural area of Mataraman, but is also a reflection of social pressure that often haunts married couples, especially those who do not have children. Even in real life, Bayu admits that he experienced the same thing.

"Just like in films, I personally always get bacotin, when do I get married? This is the next level when to have children. Hopefully in the future there will be essence, we will always have a shock life, but don't let it go down," he said.

This film scenario was written by Miss Ica, who digs up inspiration from the personal experiences and stories of people around her. He underlined that social pressure in an environment that is said to be 'affordable' can actually be a psychological burden, especially for women.

"From experience or not, there must be from the surrounding environment. Actually, everyone has received negative comments from neighbors or the near environment. The village does have mutual cooperation, close close closeness, but it becomes negative, especially women, there is more social pressure and this is felt by many people," said Miss Ica.

He added that social comments such as the question "when do you get married?" or "when do you have kids?" seem to be an endless circle that burdens mentally.

"If it's our age when we get married, there will be more when we get pregnant. The question is not finished if we participate. But it could have a bad impact, Mrs. Pur becomes an angry person, doesn't listen to her child. This film makes us aware of each other," he explained.

One of the characters that stole the show was Mrs. Pur, played by Asri Welas. The figure of Julid's mother, who often made painful comments about the life of this main character, turned out to be a means of reflection for the actress.

"Whether it's not good or not, our lives will always be commented on. Whether it's good or not good news, there must be someone who doesn't like it and likes it. I learned that this film accepts the conditions when commenting," said Asri Welas.

According to him, social criticism raised in the Cocote Tonggo is not only relevant for life in the village, but also in today's digital world.

"This film is in accordance with any neighbor in the digital world. Whether it's a celebrity or not, it's normal according to other people and we think it's very different. So any comment, they don't live on our path," he explained.

Interestingly, Bu Pur's fierce and prejudiceful character has a dark past background. This is one of the important messages this film wants to convey that everyone carries their own wounds.

"My character is this difficult because of his past, there must be a bad past. So we want to be in our position where it depends on us. Whatever our problems are, it's someone else's learning," said Asri.

Even though she is used to appearing cheerful, Asri admits that she has experienced her own challenges in playing Bu Pur, especially because of the use of the Mataraman Javanese language which is very distinctive and has many layers of meaning.

"I've never talked about anything, I'm afraid, I've never been a champion, actually. The difficulty is acting, Javanese. But we have coaches in Solo. Sometimes I still like to be wrong, Java is very different, there are east, west, middle and others," he said.

"Why is he like that, because there is a history behind his life that we don't know. I watch this film, the more I don't want other people to live." he added.

The film Cocote Tonggo is produced by Bayu Skak together with Tobali Film, and collaborates with five producers, namely Henny Myranda, Ricky R Setiyawan, Andi Pravinda Saliman, Raden Deny Yulianrto, and Ferry Fernandez.

This film is Bayu Skak's sixth work as a director, and also stars Denis Adishwara, Ayushita, Sundari Soekotjo, Brilliana Arfira, Ika Diharjo, and many others.

With the strong Java Mataraman cultural background and meaningful dialogue in Javanese, the film ocote Tonggo not only presents entertainment, but also flicks the social awareness of its audience. This film seems to be a reminder that the slightest comment can have a major impact on a person's life and empathy is the key to living side by side more wisely.