"This world gives us a lot. But we must not give anything but be grateful for this nature", one of the dialogue sentences that represents the story in the film "Teman Tegar: Maira - Whisper from Papua" carries an important message about human awareness of its relationship with nature.
Directed by Anggi Frisca, this children's film combines musical and adventure elements through the journey of Tegar (M Aldifi Tegarajasa), a boy from Bandung who goes on vacation to his nanny's hometown, Teh Isy (Joan Wakum) in Papua.
Tegar's visit to Papua was driven by his desire to see the beauty of the Cendrawasih bird as well as the traces of the forest story that his late grandfather had told.
He then met Maira (Elisabet Sisauta), a 12-year-old woman who is an indigenous person who invites him to see the Cendrawasih bird at her house which is located above the forest.
The relationship between Tegar and Maira is increasingly becoming a friendship that not only changes their way of seeing each other, but also opens up new perspectives on life and the surrounding nature.
However, on their journey, which started from curiosity about the bird of paradise, they realized that the forest was in danger.
The conflict escalated when the indigenous people in the interior where Maira lived were deceived by the Big Boss, the owner of the logging company for the mine.
Maira, who is the only one who can read and write in her hometown, is trying to save the forest with the help of Tegar and Teh Isy.
Offering an extraordinary natural charm, but also carrying deep wounds. This beauty goes hand in hand with the threat of a climate crisis, deforestation, and land conflict.
This film, which lasts more than 90 minutes, presents the natural charm of Papua which is extraordinarily beautiful, but also carries deep wounds.
This beauty goes hand in hand with the threat of a climate crisis, deforestation, and land disputes. Although it feels like raising a serious issue, this film is presented through a light children's film formula so that it is friendly for all ages.
The film's producer, dr. Chandra Sembiring said that the film was the most effective and long-remembered campaign tool.
Departing from his long experience in conflict, disaster, forest and mountain areas, Chandra sees that indigenous people actually have a strong concept of resilience, something that is often overlooked in the modern development narrative.
"We want to build an ecosystem. Every film is an educational tool, a campaign tool and the seed of a movement," said Chandra in an official statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (27/1/2026).
The film does not position children as victims, but rather as subjects who have a voice, courage and the ability to act.
The two children complement each other's stories. Maira with her innocent and cheerful outlook, while Tegar is more calm and reflective.
M Aldifi Tegarajasa brings the character of Tegar with natural teaching the importance of listening and coming without feeling the most knowledgeable. Curiosity and willingness to listen open up spaces that cannot be built with ego.
Without a big dialogue, Elisabeth plays the role of Maira deftly, expressing strength without much voice, one of which is the scene of returning company documents to a simple, sincere, and moving sign of a brave attitude.
Teman Tegar Maira also lies in its musical approach, combining fairy tales, music, and natural landscapes as a narrative unit.
Singer and actress from Papua Joan Wakum plays the main character Maira, and also leads the development of the film's music. Together with local and national musicians, he created original compositions that combine traditional Papuan rhythms with cinematic orchestration.
"I really hope this film is not just a film, songs, what is shown in the visuals in this film is our pride as Papuan children. This is a tradition that we will carry," said Joan Wakum.
The children's film "Teman Tegar: Maira - Whisper from Papua" is scheduled to be released in Indonesian cinemas starting February 5, 2026.
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