Film Recommendations To Accompany 'Ngabuburit'

Kolase poster film "A Separation" (2011), "Mudik" (2019), "The Breadwinner" (2017). (IMDB/Antara)

JAKARTA - The holy month of Ramadan has arrived, it is not complete if you do not prepare yourself with a variety of interesting spectacles about the fasting month, as well as various interesting stories that revolve around culture and background in a country with a majority Muslim population.

Between summarizing a number of films that can be your friend accompanying the fasting month, either while waiting for the time to break the fast (ngabuburit) or fill your free time. Here are some recommendations, sorted by release time.

A Separation (2011)

A Separation is an Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, focusing on a separated Iranian couple, the disappointment and despair their daughter suffered due to selfish strife and the separation of her parents, and the conflict that arose when the husband hired a lower-class nanny for his elderly father, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

A Separation won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, receiving the Golden Bear for Best Film and the Silver Bear for Best Actress and Best Actor at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Iranian film to win those awards.

The film also won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and the Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Feature Film.

A Separation was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, making it the first non-British film in five years to achieve this. The film can be seen on Catchplay.

Layla M. (2016)

Layla M. is a Dutch drama film directed by Mijke de Jong. The film stars Nora El Koussour as Layla, a young Dutch woman of Moroccan background who rebels against her family and school to become an Islamic fundamentalist.

As in other films by de Jong, the focus is on a strong-willed young woman who grows up.

In Layla M., de Jong and his collaborator Jan Eilander wanted to examine the radicalization of young Europeans. The writers are inspired by real-life stories; they wrote scripts during the Arab Spring and the trial of Geert Wilders.

The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in 2016. The media reviews were excellent and internationally the film was well received through various awards, including representing the Netherlands in the Best Foreign Language Film entry for the 90th Academy Awards.

Layla M. can be watched on Netflix.

The Breadwinner (2017)

In addition to feature films wrapped in Islamic nuances and references, there are also animated films that elevate life in Muslim-majority countries. The Breadwinner from Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon is directed by Nora Twomey and executive produced by Mimi Polk Gitlin and Angelina Jolie.

Based on the best-selling novel by Deborah Ellis, it is an international co-production between Canada, the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg.

Focusing on Parvana, an 11-year-old girl living in Kabul under the Islamic State of Afghanistan. His father, Nurullah, was a schoolteacher who was physically impaired during the Soviet–Afghan War; Because of the war, he lost his left leg and now works as a hawker.

One day, over dinner, he was unfairly arrested after a young taliban member, Idrees, thought he was insulting him when the two were selling goods at a market. From there the conflict began and the story began.

The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. "The Breadwinner" received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 90th Academy Awards. The film can be watched on Netflix.

What's My Name: Muhammad Ali (2019)

If you want to watch a documentary about a Muslim figure, What's My Name: Muhammad Ali can be an interesting choice. The documentary, directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Steven Leckart, is based on the life of iconic boxer Muhammad Ali.

One of the most iconic figures in the history of the sport, Muhammad Ali's extraordinary stories from world champion boxers to inspiring social activists are explored through his own voice and never-before-seen archival material.

What's My Name: Muhammad Ali can be seen on HBO GO.

Homecoming (2019)

It is not complete to talk about Ramadan without mentioning about returning home during Eid al-Fitr, or more familiarly called homecoming.

Indonesia has a film called Mudik, a drama film written and directed by Adriyanto Dewo. The film was produced by Lifelike Pictures and Relate Films. The film stars Asmara Abigail, Putri Ayudya, Ibnu Jamil, and Yoga Pratama.

Mudik was first screened at the Macau International Film Festival on December 9, 2019.

Mudik tells the story of Aida (Princess Ayudya) who decides to travel homecoming with her husband, Firman (Ibn Jamil) to their hometown at once to find a solution to the domestic conflict that is being faced.

On the way, they were accidentally involved in an accident that eventually took the life of someone else's husband. In the process of dealing with this unexpected event, Aida is forced to find the answers that have been stored in her life.

Mudik received 9 nominations at the 2020 Indonesian Film Festival and won the Citra Cup award for Best Original Screenplay.

At the 2020 Maya Cup, the film received 8 nominations and won 2 categories, namely Original Screenplay Selected (Adriyanto Dewo) and Lead Actress Selected (Putri Ayudya).

Homecoming is present on Mola TV.

Paradise Not Missed (2015, 2017, 2021)

The film series Heaven That Is Not Missed is a film adapted from the novel by Asma Nadia of the same name.

The film series stars Fedi Nuril as Prasetya, an architect who is forced to marry a depressed woman to save her life, Laudya Cynthia Bella as Arini, Prasetya's wife and true love, and Raline Shah as Mei Rose, a depressed woman saved by Prasetya and causing various conflicts in Prasetya and Arini's household.

Following the run of the novel, Heaven That Is Not Missed was re-elevated into a sequel to the film in 2017 and 2021, still grappling with the story of Pras, Arini, and Meirose's relationship.

The film series can be seen on Disney+ Hotstar, with the third sequel to be released on April 16.