Call Me Dad

"Call Me Dad" (2025) is based on a Korean film, "Pawn" (2020).  Families come in odd combinations.  All that is required two or more people of any sex and of any age and a little love.

In "Call Me Dad" a young girl, Imtan is taken as collateral for a debt by two debt collectors Didi and Tanto.  Rossa is really poor, the debt was incurred by her errant husband and she can barely live and support Imtan.  Didi and Tanto are soft in one way and don't want to use violence and stumble on the idea of taking young Imtan who appears to be about five or six.

The debt is never paid back and the two men end up raising her, although they are mostly immature and incompetent, if earnest. In the beginning Imtan is rebellious and demanding and the two tried to accommodate her.  A stranger tries to lure her for what we never know, because Didi intervenes. They become protective, enroll her in school (against her wishes), get her clothes and feed her.  The two men keep in touch with the mother, Rossa and arrange meetings.  The mother feels her daughter is better off.  Didi even checks out a boyfriend.

Imtan is grateful for the treatment and then become attached as do the two supposedly tough debt collectors.  Not exactly a typical family, but in this case it seems to work. The story continues as she grows up.  But there are a few twists along the way.

From my viewpoint this is the one Indonesian film blog with the most links which means that I am discovering connections that bode well for the future of cinema in Indonesia and elsewhere.  Enjoyable films take a lot of effort from talented people.  Below are only a few.

Benni Setiawan was the director.  He has 24 credits for directing, 27 for writing and 1 for acting.

Rifki Ardkisha was the writer.  Building his career he started writing for commercials and audio dramas. He has 8 writing credits.

Anggia Kharisma was a producer.  She has 20 producer credits, 3 for the costume and wardrobe department and 2 writers including "Cemara's Family (2019) and "Heartbreak Motel" (2024).  See the second film in http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/two-year-end-film-reviews.html

Jerry Kyoungbaum Ko was an executive producer.   He was once a film critic in Korea and after interviewing a prominent Korean director he became active in making films.  He has worked his way up to being in charge of global film business for CJ ENM that enables him to promote films internationally.  Jerry has 33 producer credits and 2 for additional crew including "Father Stu" (2022), "Past Lives" (2023) and "Mai" (2024).    See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/05/with-mai-vietnam-stretches-for-global.html 

Ifa Fachir composed much of the music.  He has 11 composer credits and 9 for soundtrack including "Cemara's Family" (2018).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/cemaras-family.html

Arnand Pratikto was the cinematographer.  He has 10 cinematographer credits and 1 for actor including "13 Bombs" (2023) and "Heartbreak Motel" (2024).

Hendra Adhi Susanto was the editor.  He has 23 editor credits and 4 for the editorial department including "13 Bombs" (2023), "Heartbreak Motel" (2024) and "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2025).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/07/a-brother-and-7-siblings.html

Ringgo Agus Rahma played Didi.  Working at a radio station he interviewed an important Indonesian director and was offered a role.  He has 55 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2018) and "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2025).

Boris Bokir played Tanto.  He has been a standup comedian.  Boris has 22 acting credits, 2 for producing and 3 for soundtrack.

Myesha Lin played the young Imtan as pictured in the post at the top.  She has 4 acting credits. 

Tissa Biani Azzahra played the older Imtan.  She has 42 acting credits and 2 for soundtrack including "Cigarette Girl" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.html 

Sita Nursanti played Rossa, the mother.  She has been a singer as part of Rida Sita Dewi.  Sita has 24 acting credits and 1 for soundtrack including "Heartbreak Motel" (2024).

"Call Me Dad" might strike you as crude in the beginning, but it will grow on you as you watch a family develop.  Available on Netflix, subtitled and dubbed.