TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A controversial Indonesian independent film named Children of Srikandi managed to hit international film festivals such as the Berlin International Film Festival in 2012. This movie has been played in over 40 cities in the world and won several awards including the International Jury Award at the Queer Film Festival in Vienna, Austria, and the Diversity and Human Rights Award during the Zinegoak Film Festival in Bilbao, Spain.
Children of Srikandi is the first Indonesian documentary about lesbians in the nation and highlights the lives of some Indonesian lesbians from various backgrounds and their diverse sexual orientation.
This bold depiction by a group of lesbians who call themselves the Children of Srikandi Collective is presented from a unique perspective. It uses Srikandi, a wayang character, to connect all of the women’s stories and convey the message about the various sexual preferences of women in Indonesia.
"This film has become a sort of medium for women to talk about their lives," said Edith, writer and director of Children of Srikandi.
Producer Stea Lim said the documentary was intended to provide the public with a different understanding about women’s sexuality.
As this film is categorized as a non-mainstream phenomenon that may not be warmly welcomed by the public, itwas mostly played in underground screenings.
"We are still selective. We realize that not all people can accept this movie. We have the authority (of selecting) which viewers we want to approach," said Edith.
Yet despite all that, Stea and Edith said they hope the documentary can be seen by the general public on day, so the experiences of these Indonesian women with different sexual orientations can be acknowledged and understood.
NURUL MAHMUDAH
