"Me Before Me"--another gem from far away

 Indonesia is far away and thought by us to be a third world country.  But it is not nearly as  backward as many westerners might imagine.  From my position they keep turning out thoughtful and engaging films.  They do have a different culture--for one they are the largest Muslim country in the world with over 280 million citizens.  Like all people they share the same issues, birth, death, hope, fear, love, hate, hunger, etc..

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.

Falling in Love like in the movies

 "Falling in Love Like In the Movies" (2020) is like a play within a play.  At the beginning Bagus, a film writer meets Hana at a supermarket.  Bagus remembers his old love for Hana and feels his love revived.  He comes up with an idea to impress her and approaches his producer, Pak Yoram with an idea for a new film story.  He starts writing a romantic movie to impress Hana with the idea of falling in love like in the movies--the ones that always have a happy ending.

There is a problem.  She is a grieving widow who feels no interest in romance.  Most of the rest of the movie consists of frank talks between Bagus and Hana and Bagus and Pak Yoram.  With Hana it is delicate as he tells her his movie idea and while she insists she is not in the market they play word games.  With the producer it is mostly about how can they turn it into a viable film and Bagus is very persistent.

The two film makers discuss turning the film to black and white and we viewers are also switched.  They discuss what actors take the roles.  Bagus agrees to Julie Estelle who is well regarded, but for the male he resists a suggestion of a big male star, but accepts Dion Wiyoko with more hair.

Other people get involved to make it a viable movie.  Over time they identify the real Hana.  Julie Estelle feels Bagus has not allowed enough room for Hana to grieve.  Adjustments are made for the film script and for reality.  The level of frankness is astonishing with its dual purpose; as a romantic lever and a viable film.  Hana understands his general motivation and even tries to make suggestions, but is adamant she is no mood for a romance.

Did I mention this all takes place in Indonesia?  Indonesia is a very populous country, (over 280 million) but only in the last few decades have their movie theatres approached the level of the economic powers of the cinema world.  In the meantime they have been developing the skills needed to produce more than horror films.  Netflix has seized an opportunity and gotten involved in financing and distributing Indonesian films and we are all benefitting.

This film is a good example of a worthy film and here are a few of those responsible.

Yandy Laurens was the director and writer.  He has also directed commercials and music videos.  Yandrey has 13 writing credits, 14 for directing and 1 for the script and continuity department including "Cemara's Family" (2018) and " A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024).  See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/cemaras-family.html  and  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2025/07/a-brother-and-7-siblings.html

Ernest Prakasa was a producer.  He used being an ethnic Chinese (in Indonesia) to become a standup comedian.  Ernest has 16 writing credits, 36 acting credits and 19 for producing.

Ofel Obaja Setiawan was the music director.  He has 31 composing credits, 3 for the music department and 1 for soundtrack including "One Day We Will Talk About Today" (2020), "Cemara's Family" (2022) and "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2026/06/one-day-well-talk-about-today.html 

Dimas Bagus Triatma Yoga was the cinematographer.  He has 21 cinematography credits including "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024).

Hendra Adhi Susanto was the editor.  Hendra has 25 editor credits and 4 for the editor department including "Cemara's Family" (2018), "One Day We Will Talk About Today" (2020), "13 Bombs" (2023), "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024) and "Heartbreak Motel" (2024).   See the second film review in   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/two-year-end-film-reviews.html

Ringgo Agus Rahman played Bagus.  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 57 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2018), "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

Nirina Zubir played Hana.  She was born in Madagascar where her father was an Indonesian diplomat.  She studied economics and went onto being a radio DJ and a model.  Nirina is fluent in Mandarin (her father was also a diplomat in China) and English.  Her Mandarin allowed her to interpret for a prominent politician.  She has 40 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2018), "Ali & the Queens"--filmed mostly in New York City (2021) and "Cemera's Family 2" (2022).

Alex Abbad played Pak Yoram, a producer.  He has been a poet and a musician.  Alex has 40 acting credits.

Sheila Dara Aisha played a film editor.  She has 32 acting credits and 3 for soundtrack including ""One Day We Will Talk About Today" (2020), "Cigarette Girl" (2023) "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2024) and "Heartbreak Motel" (2024).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/cigarette-girl.html

Julie Estelle played herself as an established actress.  Her father was French, enabling her to speak fluent French as well as English and Indonesian.  She has 22 acting credits and will be producing an upcoming production.

Donne Maula plays Denny.  He started in musical theatre and is better known for singing and dancing through albums and videos.  He has 3 acting credits, 1 for composing and 1 for producing. 

"Falling Love Like In the Movies" is available on Netflix subtitled.

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.

A Brother and 7 Siblings

Netflix has helped me discover Indonesia as a film powerhouse.  It takes years to develop expertise and of course money plays a role.  Caught off guard I would like to recommend still another one, "A Brother and 7 Siblings" (2025).

A young man, Moko is living with his sister and her husband.  He seems destined to graduate soon and become an architect.  His girlfriend Mauron is set to also graduate and form a partnership with him.  His life changes when his sister who was pregnant and her husband die within a short time of one another.

He takes on the responsibility of taking over care of the four children, including the new baby.  He drops his education as well as his very supportive girlfriend and wears himself out working and caregiving.  When he has to go out of town (for a job arranged by his ex girl friend) a brother in law takes over child care, but proves to be a con man.  Struggling never seems to end, but Moko does wise up. 

There is not really 7 siblings, but the original title is 7 Ponakan.  In addition to the actual 4 siblings is added the daughter of an old music teacher (expected to be temporary) and Moko's sister and her husband.  The 7 Ponakan are all treated as family.

The film got a very high rating so I have already given out too many plot details.  Here are some of the contributors to its success.

Yandy Laurens was the director and writer.  He started with commercials and musical videos.  He has 13 credits as a writer, 14 for directing and 1 for script and continuation including "Cemara's Family (2019).  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/cemaras-family.html

Arswendo Atmowilata wrote the original tv. series.  He was a journalist and short story writer.  In 1990 he was imprisoned for subversion and released in 1993.  Arswendo took a writing course at the University of Iowa.  He has 7 writing credits, 2 for acting an 1 for directing including "Cemera's Family" (2019).

Olef Obaja Setiawan composed the music.  He has 26 credits for composing and 2 for the music department.

Dimas Bagus Triatma Yoga was the cinematographer with 20 cinematography credits.

Hendra Adhi Susanto was the editor.   He has 22 editor credits and 4 for editorial department including "13 Bombs" (20243) and "Heartbreak Motel" (2024).  See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/12/two-year-end-film-reviews.html

Nandi Giri was the casting director.  She has 20 casting director credits, 5 for the casting department and 2 for acting including "Photocopier" (2021). 

Chicco Kurniawan played Moko.  He was an advertising model and was a film extra.  He has 30 acting credits and one soundtrack including "Photocopier" (2021) and "13 Bombs" (2023).

Amanda Rawles played Maurin, the girl friend.  Her father was Australian and she received some of her education there.  She has 31 acting credits.

Freyanashifa Jayawardana played Nina, the older niece.  She is well known as a singer and dancer and part of JKT48 musical group.  She has 5 acting credits, 1 for the music department and 1 for soundtrack.

Ringgo Agus Rahman played Eka, the brother in law.  He has 52 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2019). 

Maudy Koesnaedi played Agnes, the older sister to Moko.  She has 30 acting credits including "Cemara's Family" (2019) and  "Losmen Bu Broto:  The Series" (2025).

Available on Netflix subtitled.  Well done.

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 either of the two links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Cemara's Family

In many ways "Cemara's Family" (2018) is not a whole lot different than typical family dramas found in the English speaking world, but it offers a little different perspective.  Netflix had seen it worth their while to seek out foreign films and they are now offering movies from Indonesia.  This is the third one this year for me with the first two included a religious theme, but this one is much more secular.  It follows a very popular tv series of the same name.

It has a familiar formula.  A family encounters a major problem, in this case an unfair bankruptcy and have to adjust.  They end up moving from a big city to a rural area and for awhile there is an uncomfortable feeling especially with the 13 year old daughter.

You know somehow they will get to appreciate the joys of country living, but there are a few obstacles.  The one with the biggest problem is the eldest daughter, Euis who is made fun of.  She already has more education than her classmates who seem to hold that against her.  In one memorable scene she is exposed having her first period which draws further derision.  My thoughts on the rural/urban divide:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/10/what-about-those-hicks.html

A turning point for Euis is when she decided to defy her father and visit friends who have come to a nearby town for a dance competition.  Euis had belonged to what might be called a girl band dance group and really enjoyed it.  However. her friends with her replacement seemed too artificial to her and she went back home and apologized to her father.

The father finally gives in to what he felt his daughters wanted, but was surprised to learn they had changed their minds and didn't want to move.  He is mostly calm and reasonable, but pushes ahead despite crying and protests from the three women in his family.  You can easily imagine that there will be a happy ending, but there are a few twists and turns.  I am looking forward to the sequel which should be available this year.

Ginatri S. Noer is the a co-writer and producer.  She had written for "Habibie & Ainum" (2012).  Born in Madagascar.

Yandy Laurens directed and co-wrote the script.

Music was handled by Ifa Fachir which included two new songs by a new favorite singer Bunga Cintra Lestari who starred in and sang a memorable song with  "Habibie & Ainum".  Fachir also wrote the music for the sequel,  "Keluarga Cemara 2." (2022)

Robie Taswin did the cinematography and Hendra Adhi Susanri was the editor.

Ringgo Agus Rahman plays the mostly calm father who occasionally vents his frustration.

Nirina Zubir played the mother who gives birth to a third child.

Adhisty Zara played Euis, the elder daughter while Widuri Sasono played the younger daughter.  The title "Cemara's family" implies that the youngest daughter is the focal point as Cemera is the long form of the youngest daughter who everyone calls Ara.  I would argue her older sister has more dramatic range, but perhaps that is a clue that from the tv series that the sequel will shift its focus.  All four family roles are repeated with the same actors for the sequel that should be accessible soon.

Indonesia is a large country with a population over 270 million, so it should not be surprising that they have developed a noteworthy cinema.