JAKARTA - Kairos Film released the official trailer and poster for the film Istimewa, a family film that places children with disabilities as the main characters. Scheduled to be shown in cinemas starting September 17, 2026, the film directed by Ruben Adrian tells the story of a group of children who leave the Istimewa House to find a father who has always been their home.
The journey is the gateway to a story filled with adventure, friendship, and the search for the meaning of family. Along the way, they meet new people, face various challenges, and learn about courage and acceptance.
Unlike many films with disability themes, Istimewa does not make children with disabilities as a complement to the story. They become the main driving force of the plot with different characters, dreams, and ways of looking at life.
Director Ruben Adrian said, the story of Istimewa was born from real experiences that he heard directly from children with disabilities.
"What makes Istimewa so meaningful to us is that this film was born from various real stories that we heard directly from Istimewa friends. We then framed the stories into a symphony of a journey full of hope, courage, and love," he said in a written statement, Friday, July 24.
Ruben hopes that the story of the search for a father in the film can bring the audience to see the meaning of family from a wider perspective.
"Through the journey of finding Dad, we hope that the audience will feel that home and family can be present through acceptance, affection, and people who choose to stay together, based on the values of forgiving and loving each other," he said.
The official trailer shows the warm life of the children at the Special House before it turns into a journey filled with various unexpected events. Starting from moments that invite laughter to emotional situations that test their togetherness.
Meanwhile, the official poster shows all the residents of the Special House gathered in front of the house that became the place where they grew up together. The visual confirms the main theme of the film that the house is not just a building, but a space formed by love and acceptance.
Mathias Muchus, who plays Pak Mahendra, assessed the main strength of Istimewa lies in the way the film interprets the family.
"What made me fall in love with Istimewa is his sincerity. This film reminds us that family is not always about blood relations, but about who chooses to accept, care for, and remain present when we need each other," he said.
A similar message was also conveyed by Aldi, one of the child actors in the film. He hopes that Istimewa can change people's views on children with disabilities while giving them the courage to continue to work.
"I'm proud to be part of Istimewa. I'm happy that my story was brought into this film. Hopefully this film can be a motivation for children with disabilities to get up again to achieve their dreams, and prove that Istimewa friends are also capable of working. Hopefully Istimewa will be watched by all Indonesian and world communities," he explained.
Istimewa is scheduled to be shown in all Indonesian cinemas starting September 17, 2026. Meanwhile, the official trailer can be watched through the Kairos Film official YouTube channel and social media.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
