The Photograph (2007) Review : A Quiet Indonesian Drama About Guilt and Memory

 

The Photograph | 2007 | 1h 34m
Genre: Drama | Country: Indonesia
Director: Nan Triveni Achnas | Writer: Nan Triveni Achnas
Cast: Kay Tong Lim, Shanty, Lukman Sardi
IMDb: 6.7
My Rating: 10/10

Struggling to survive, Sita tries to help Johan fulfill his dream of finding a successor for his photo studio before death catches up with him.

Warning: Contains scenes of violence, sex, and strong language.

 

Synopsis of The Photograph

Sita (Shanty) has to leave Rosi's (Indy Barends) house to escape Suroso (Lukman Sardi), a pimp who brought her to the city to work. She moves into a small attic above Johan's (Kay Tong Lim) photography studio.

Johan is a mysterious elderly photographer who owns a photo studio and also makes a living taking photographs around the city. Although he is initially reluctant to let Sita stay in the attic, he eventually allows her to live there.

At night, Sita works as a singer in a bar. Suroso finds her there and constantly reminds her of the debt she owes him. But Sita is not only trying to earn enough money to pay off her debt. She also needs to support her mother and daughter back in her village. Her mother is ill and needs money for medical treatment, while Sita struggles with the pain of being separated from Yani, her only daughter.

One night, Suroso takes Sita to meet several guests at a hotel. Sita does not realize what awaits her there. After suffering a horrifying experience, she escapes the hotel, wounded and in pain, while Suroso continues to pursue her. Eventually, Sita decides to stop working.

Unable to pay Johan's rent, Sita offers to help him with his work instead. Johan is old and increasingly aware that he does not have much time left. He wants to find someone who can become the successor to his photography studio.

Seeing how important this is to Johan, Sita helps him search for a successor who meets his expectations. Along the way, she discovers that Johan carries deep guilt over a dark chapter in his past. As she begins to understand him, sympathy slowly grows in Sita's heart.

Will Sita and Johan be able to find the successor he is looking for?

 

Review

The Photograph has a very interesting premise and is deeply infused with Chinese-Indonesian cultural elements. Although the story moves slowly, the deliberate pacing is part of what makes the film compelling. There is not much dialogue, but the film does not need many words to communicate what its characters are feeling. The emotions are gradually built through the scenes themselves.

The music and sound effects are well chosen and fit each scene naturally. The camerawork and color composition are also beautifully handled, with considerable attention to detail.

The film also features several well-known Indonesian actors in supporting and cameo appearances, including Nicholas Saputra and Dorce Gamalama.

One particularly interesting scene takes place when there is a fire in the house. Johan, who is constantly haunted by thoughts of death, believes that this may finally be the moment when death comes for him. He begs not to be taken just yet. In the middle of an otherwise melancholic story, the scene provides a small but memorable moment of humor.

Spoiler alert.

The film is presented through narration. At first, I assumed that Sita, as the main character, was the narrator telling the story. However, near the end, it is revealed that the narrator is actually Yani, Sita's daughter.

Yani's presence and characterization are not particularly clear from the beginning, which makes the revelation feel somewhat disconnected from the rest of the film. Personally, I think the story would have worked better if Sita had remained the narrator.

 

Memorable Scene

Pak Johan, who has kept his past hidden and locked away for years, finally opens up to Sita. After she accidentally discovers the photographs Johan has kept, Sita begins to understand the mysterious behavior he has displayed throughout the story.

The photographs become a window into the part of Johan's life he has tried so hard to conceal.

 

Memorable Dialogue

“One, two, three, smile!”

 

Ending

Sad Ending

 

Recommendation

Must watch.

(Aluna Uwie)

Had been published in Alunauwie.com
"This article was originally written in Indonesian and has been adapted into English for international readers."

Read More:
Canvas (2020) Review
The Resemblance (2022) Review
Biola Tak Berdawai (2003) Review