Growing up from being totally dependent to a mature adult can be pretty rough, but most of us stumble through it. "Me Before Me" (2026) is about a unique person and his unique family and friends. Much of their growth toward maturity is unique, but in some ways, not. A teenager, Jati is first shown as a winner of a big prize in school. While the whole school celebrates, he has a panic attack, throws down the trophies and walks away. He is suspended, but learns of a special school, one where there is a lot of freedom to express oneself. His father only tolerates it because of a suspension which will expire in a few months. Jaya, his father has high expectations and steers Jata on a path to success.
At the school Jati encounters Asa and she decides he can help her with a project. The project is to learn about her family history. She feels if you ask different people about the same things you will learn something deeper. Her mother and father and a few others tell the same stories, but when she encounters an uncle with early stage dementia she learns a major fact about herself.
Jati is encouraged to follow her example with her help. Eventually he learns there is more to his father's history that had been lied about. There are secrets in many families, many of which are kept. Sometimes they are uncovered and sometimes provides understanding. Jati and Asa do not get romantically involved, but are true friends helping each other through some awkward situations.
This is a very professional film and below are listed a few that made it so.
Gina S. Noer was the director and writer. She has been known as Ginatri S. Noer. Born in Madagascar. She has written and edited books. Gina has 29 credits as a writer, 9 as producer and 6 as director including "Habibie & Ainum" (2012), "Cemara's Family" (2018) and "Ali and the Queens" (2021). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/cemaras-family.html
Deska Binarso was the cinematographer. He has 5 cinematography credits.
Aji Praditya was the editor. Aji has 24 editor credits, 3 for the editorial department and 1 for writing.
Ringgo Agus Rahman played Jaya, the father. He had been a radio host starting in 2005 and interviewed well known director Hanung Bramanthyo who gave him a role that got his film career started. Ringgo has 58 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2018), "Falling in Love Like in the Movies" (2020), "Cemara's Family 2" (2022), "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024) and as the lovable dad in "Call Me Dad" (2025). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/12/call-me-dad.html and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2026/06/falling-in-love-like-in-movies.html and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/07/a-brother-and-7-siblings.html
Bima Sena played Jati. He has 17 acting credits.
Widuri Puteri played Asa. She has 3 acting credits and 1 for soundtrack.
Verdi Solaiman played Asa's father. He studied and worked in Columbus, Ohio on advertising design. He has been an acting coach. Verdi has 105 acting credits, 4 for directing and 2 for producing including "Cigarette Girl" (2023). See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.html
"Me Before Me" is available on Netflix, dubbed and subtitled. Also known as "Aku Sebelum Aku". This is a well done film you will enjoy especially if you have ever uncovered family secrets.
As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen. Some of them are among my favourite Indonesian films and a big part of my Indonesian obsession. If you follow the links you should be able to determine if any film is worth following up.
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