Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly
Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly (Indonesian: Babi Buta yang Ingin Terbang) is a 2008 Indonesian drama film written, directed, and produced by Edwin. Starring fellow filmmaker Joko Anwar and Ladya Cheryl, it is Edwin's feature film debut after a string of critically acclaimed short films.
| Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly | |
|---|---|
| Babi Buta yang Ingin Terbang | |
| Directed by | Edwin |
| Written by | Edwin |
| Produced by | Edwin Sidi Saleh Meiske Taurisia |
| Starring | Joko Anwar Clarine Baharrizki Ladya Cheryl |
| Cinematography | Sidi Saleh |
| Edited by | Herman Panca |
| Music by | Bontel |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Babibutafilm (Indonesia) Filmmuseum Distributie (Netherlands) |
Release date |
|
| Country | Indonesia |
| Language | Indonesian |
| Budget | $ 250,000 |
| Box office | $ 344 |
Renowned filmmakers Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza are credited as associate producers of the film alongside Kemal Arsjad.
Synopsis
The experiences of a woman and the people around her, all with obsessive agendas of their own. A fragile but panoramic vision of a community that is not at ease with itself—and hopes that can never be truly fulfilled.
Cast
- Joko Anwar as Yahya
- Ladya Cheryl as Linda
- Clairine Baharrizki as young Linda
- Andhara Early as Salma
- Carlo Genta as Cahyono
- Pong Harjatmo as Halim
- Wicaksono as Helmi
Release
The film was released domestically in Indonesia on 3 October 2008 and on 11 September 2009 in the United States. It had a successful festival run, winning awards at the Golden Horse Film Festival in Taiwan, the Three Continents Festival in France, the International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and the Singapore International Film Festival in Singapore.
Reception
Box office
Despite positive critical response and multiple festival wins, he film did not perform well at the box office, only grossing $344 during its limited run.
Critical response
Writing for The New York Times, critic Mike Hale described the film as "a series of vignettes, practically blackouts, that jump back and forth in time", praising the direction and performances as well as depictions of gay characters, calling the sex scene "discreetly filmed but more matter of fact and funnier than anything in Hollywood’s recent spate of bromances". Hale went on to compare Edwin favorably to Thai film auteur Pen-ek Ratanaruang.[1]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Busan International Film Festival | New Currents Award | Edwin | Nominated |
| 2008 | Cinemanila International Film Festival | Best Film | Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly | Nominated |
| 2009 | Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema | Best Film | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards | NETPAC Award | Edwin | Won |
| 2009 | Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival | Golden Hanoman Award | Nominated | |
| 2009 | Nantes Three Continents Festival | Golden Montgolfiere | Nominated | |
| Silver Montgolfiere | Won | |||
| Young Audience Award | Won | |||
| 2009 | International Film Festival Rotterdam | Tiger Award | Nominated | |
| FIPRESCI Prize | Won | |||
| 2009 | Singapore International Film Festival | NETPAC Award Special Mention | Won |
References
- Hale, Mike (10 September 2009). "Feeling Like Aliens in Their Own Land (Published 2009)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 January 2021.