Pasir Berbisik (2001) Review: Indonesian Drama About Motherhood and Patriarchy

 

Pasir Berbisik (Alternate Title: Whispering Sand) | 2001 | 1h 46m
Genre: Drama | Country: Indonesia
Director: Nan Triveni Achnas | Writers: Nan Triveni Achnas, Rayya Makarim
Cast: Christine Hakim, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Slamet Rahardjo
IMDb: 7.2
My Rate: 8/10

Berlian struggles to survive and protect her daughter, Daya, from the conflict surrounding their village, forcing them to search for a new refuge. But her hopes are complicated when Daya's father unexpectedly returns.

Warning

Contains violence, sensuality, and smoking.

 

Synopsis of Pasir Berbisik

Daya (Dian Sastrowardoyo) lives with her mother, Berlian (Christine Hakim), in a village surrounded by a vast desert. Her father, a puppeteer, has disappeared, leaving Daya and her mother behind. Daya longs for his return, partly because she hopes his presence might help her escape her mother's strict control over her life.

Berlian works as a seller of traditional herbal remedies to make ends meet. Their village is filled with conflict, making her fiercely protective of Daya, especially as her daughter enters adolescence. Daya's social life is heavily restricted, and Berlian never calls her by name, referring to her simply as "Anak," meaning "child."

Most of Berlian's family has already left the village. Her sister, a dancer, occasionally returns to visit. Daya looks forward to these visits because her aunt tells her stories, including stories about her father's past.

One day, Berlian's sister warns her to leave the village and head toward Pasir Putih, or "White Sand." Berlian initially ignores the warning, but everything changes when their home is set on fire. With no choice but to leave, Berlian takes Daya on a difficult journey toward Pasir Putih.

Their journey is uncertain and exhausting, but they eventually arrive and find an abandoned hut where they decide to stay. They receive help from Suwito (Didi Petet), who, however, has disturbing intentions toward Daya.

Things become even more complicated when Daya's father finally returns, threatening to undo everything Berlian has done to protect her daughter.

What will become of Daya?

 

Review of Pasir Berbisik

Pasir Berbisik has a compelling story accompanied by an equally captivating setting. The cast and crew deserve considerable appreciation for their work. Filming under the scorching desert sun was certainly not easy, and the actors even performed some scenes barefoot. Despite these challenges, they delivered impressive performances.

The story focuses on the patriarchal system as the root of many of the problems experienced by the characters. This can be seen through the struggles faced by women, including the prevalence of abortion, the way men objectify Daya, and the arbitrary burning of the women's home by men. Although the specific causes behind the village's conflict are never clearly explained, the film subtly brings these issues to the surface.

The narrative unfolds systematically, from the introduction and development of the conflict to its resolution. The music and sound effects are well chosen, while the camera movement and color composition complement the atmosphere beautifully. Even the makeup and costumes contribute to the storytelling.

The acting is undoubtedly one of the film's strengths. Dian Sastrowardoyo, only 19 at the time, demonstrates remarkable acting ability and went on to receive several awards for her performance. She holds her own alongside veteran actors and actresses, while the performances from both the main and supporting cast feel natural and convincing. The use of artistic dialogue also adds to the film's beauty.

Overall, Pasir Berbisik is not only a film with a compelling story but also a visually striking work that captures the beauty of its natural surroundings. The vast desert landscape becomes an important part of the film's atmosphere, making the viewing experience even more memorable.

 

Memorable Scene

During their aimless journey, Daya asks her mother where they are going, whether her aunt and father know their destination, and whether anyone will be able to find them. With so many thoughts running through her mind, Berlian can only give her daughter a vague answer.

This scene vividly captures the turmoil inside Berlian through her expressions. We often fail to understand the noise inside another person's head—the constant pressure, fear, and questions they carry. Yet, through Berlian, we can see someone who remains focused on finding a way forward despite everything happening around her.

 

Memorable Dialogue

"Every newcomer brings new sand."

 

Ending

Sad Ending

 
Recommendation

Worth Watching.

 

(Aluna Uwie)