Pintu-Pintu Surga stretching my vision of the world

"Pintu-Pintu Surga" (2025) is another example of what you learn when you watch foreign movies--something that is different and something familiar.  The different is that three consenting adults can agree to a marriage with two wives.  The back story is one of frustrated love and concern for children with western society having lots of variations to handle these difficulties.  

We are introduced first to Latifah who loves her husband and is soon left behind when he dies.  He left his son from a previous marriage, money and the top position at an educational institute.  A year or so later she is visited by two men from a co-operating institute and quickly we learn one of the two men had been a boyfriend some ten years before.  Gradually he feels compelled to help with her autistic son Gandhi.  After that we learn that he is married with a daughter he loves.  

Things cool down for awhile, but he realizes he still loves her and has become fond of her son.  He discusses his feelings with his mother who remembers Latifah and does not approve of continuing the relationship.  Partly because of gossip Latifah is resistant and after he finally tells his wife Widya she is furious and even takes off with her daughter for awhile.  Aman does not want a divorce, but he wants to take care of Latifah and Gandhi.  He persuades his wife to talk with Latifah with both women feeling awkward and just as the conversation is winding down Latifah gets a phone call about her son having a fit.  Aman insists he drive her and Widya decides to come along, stays in the vehicle, but is soon aware of yelling and investigates.  Gandhi, upset about his mother and "uncle" Aman is difficult to control.  We then learn Widya had a similar mentally challenged brother and feels guilty she did not help and eventually her father and brother died in an accident she blames herself for.

The key thing is that the three adults all agree to this second marriage and their two children are also part of the decision.  That is more plot than I usually want to reveal, but there is a little detail left out.

The story moves along smoothly and the three adults are all very likeable.  The two children are cute.

One producer was Arya Saloka with his first producing credit.  He plays Aman, one of the leading characters.  He has 11 acting credits including "Cigarette Girl" (2023).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.html

Adis Kayl Yurahmah was the director  with this being her one directing credit.

Dewi Fita was a writer with 3 writing credits.

Tya Subiakto Satrio was the music director.  She has 11 credits for composing and 11 for the music  department.

Gunung Nusa Pelita was the cinematographer with 30 cinematography 2 credits for directing.

Susan Sameh plays Latifah.  She has 15 acting credits and1 each for the music department and soundtrack.

Agla Artalidia plays Widya.  Before getting into films she was a flight attendant for Singapore Airlines.  She has 12 acting credits including "2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/04/2nd-miracle-in-cell-no-7.html

Unique Priscilla played Aman's mother.  She  had graduated from the University of Kansas with a journalism degree.  She got into modelling and that led to 48 acting credits.

It is already highly rated on Netflix where it can seen subtitled.  An insight to another way of looking at life and love.

I had previously seen two films from Indonesia that got my attention with a man marrying two women, but there was no three way discussion.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/surga-yang-tak-dirindukan-heaven-none.htm

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you might be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.