Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (film)
Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (Indonesian: Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas) is a 2021 Indonesian black comedy action drama film directed by Edwin who also co-wrote the screenplay with Eka Kurniawan based on Kurniawan's best-selling book of the same name.[2] The film had its world premiere in August 2021 at the 74th Locarno Film Festival, where it won the top prize of Golden Leopard for Best Film.[3]
| Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash | |
|---|---|
| Indonesian | Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas |
| Directed by | Edwin |
| Screenplay by | Edwin Eka Kurniawan |
| Based on | Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash by Eka Kurniawan |
| Produced by | Meiske Taurisia Muhammad Zaidy |
| Starring | Marthino Lio Ladya Cheryl Sal Priadi Reza Rahadian Ratu Felisha |
| Cinematography | Akiko Ashizawa |
| Edited by | Lee Chatametikool |
| Music by | Dave Lumenta |
Production companies | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114 minutes[1] |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Language | Indonesian |
Edwin won his second Best Director nod at the 42nd Citra Awards, where the film won a total of 5 awards out of 12 nominations.
Plot
Set in the 1980s in a society ruled by machismo, a hibernating "bird" becomes a serious matter. In a life of brutality, the sleeping bird is an allegory for a peaceful and serene life, even when the whole world tries desperately to rouse it.[2][4]
Cast
These are the cast members of the film as announced by Palari Films in July 2021:[5]
- Marthino Lio as Ajo Kawir
- Ladya Cheryl as Iteung
- Sal Priadi as Tokek
- Reza Rahadian as Budi Baik
- Ratu Felisha as Jelita
- Kevin Ardilova as Mono Ompong
- Lukman Sardi as Codet
- Eduwart Manalu as Kumis
- Djenar Maesa Ayu as Rona Merah
- Kiki Narendra as Kumbang
- Piet Pagau as Paman Gembul
- Yudi Ahmad Tajudin as Iwan Angsa
- Ayu Laksmi as Wa Sami
- Christine Hakim as Mak Jerot
- Cecep Arif Rahman as Ki Jempes
Production
Development
In May 2016, Palari Films announced that they had secured the rights to adapt Eka Kurniawan's third novel Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash with Edwin on board to direct alongside collaborators Muhammad Zaidy and Meiske Taurisia as producers.[6] However, as the efforts to adapt the novelproved to be more challenging than expected, Edwin proposed to Palari Films that they pursue another project together while working on the adaptation,[2][7] which turned out to be Laksmi Pamuntjak's 2014 novel The Birdwoman's Palate, leading to Edwin's 2018 feature Aruna & Her Palate.[7]
To raise funds for the film, the film script was submitted to compete in international grant competitions as the production team believed it has an international appeal.[8] In 2016, the script won a US$15,000 grant for winning the Most Promising Project Award at the Asian Project Market held during the 2016 Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.[8][9] In 2018, it received a post-production grant from the post-production lab White Light Post at the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum as well as a co-production grant from the Singapore Film Commission.[10][9] It also received another production grant from Bangkok-based Purin Pictures.[4]
Casting
The film marks the return of Edwin's frequent collaborator Ladya Cheryl to the big screen since her last appearance in a feature film in 2012's Postcards from the Zoo, also directed by Edwin. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Edwin said that Cheryl's portrayal of Iteung is inspired by 80's action star Cynthia Rothrock.[11] Singer-songwriter Sal Priadi makes his feature film debut alongside Ratu Felisha and Citra Award winner Reza Rahadian in supporting roles.[12]
Release
In July 2021, Variety reported that art house agency The Match Factory had acquired the film's distribution rights.[13] The film had its world premiere at the 74th Locarno Film Festival on 8 August 2021, where it won the Golden Leopard.[14] The film screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section of the 46th Toronto International Film Festival.[15] It was screened at the Filmfest Hamburg and 26th Busan International Film Festival in October 2021.[16][17] Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash was also screened at the BFI London Film Festival 2021 during the Dare section.[18]
The film was released theatrically in Indonesia on 2 December 2021.[19]
Reception
Box office
Vengeance Is Mine, All Other Pay Cash recorded a total of 85,004 admissions throughout its theatrical release in Indonesia, ranking it in the 11th spot among all domestic productions released in 2021.[20]
Critical response
Writing for Variety, Jay Weissberg wrote that the film "delivers a withering critique of masculinity" while managing to be "enjoyable".[21] However, Weissberg was critical of the screenplay, noting that Edwin and co-writer Kurniawan "cram rather too many meandering plot lines".[21] Also for Variety, Diego Cepeda and Calin Boto called the film "a genre-bending portrayal of an angry impotent young man stuck in the middle of the macho Indonesian Eighties", referring to the film's main character Ajo Kawir and heavy influence of 80's pop culture.[22] Marta Balaga of Cineuropa praised the film's "central romance" between Ajo Kawir and Iteung as "the most fun to watch", singling out Cheryl’s portrayal of Iteung as a stand-out.[23] Similar to Weissberg, Balaga also criticized the film's editing, calling it "very uneven, going from funny to dark to just weird, as if the editing couldn’t keep up with the ongoing brainstorming session".[23]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Locarno Film Festival | Golden Leopard for Best Film | Edwin | Won | |
| 2021 | Three Continents Festival | Golden Montgolfiere for Best Film | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | 25th Online Film Critics Society Awards | Best Non-US Release | Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash | Won | |
| 2021 | Valladolid International Film Festival | Golden Spike | Edwin | Nominated | |
| Best Director of Photography | Akiko Ashizawa | Won | |||
| 2021 | 14th Asia Pacific Screen Awards | Achievement in Cinematography | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | 16th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival | Silver Harnoman | Edwin | Won | |
| 2021 | 5th Tempo Film Festival | Best Film | Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Edwin | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Marthino Lio | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Ladya Cheryl | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Reza Rahadian | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Ratu Felisha | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | International Film Festival of Kerala | World Cinema | Edwin | Nominated | |
| 2022 | 10th Maya Awards | Best Feature Film | Meiske Taurisia Muhammad Zaidy | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Edwin | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Marthino Lio | Won | |||
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Ladya Cheryl | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Reza Rahadian | Won | |||
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Ratu Felisha | Nominated | |||
| Best New Actor | Sal Priadi | Nominated | |||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Edwin | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Akiko Ashizawa | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Lee Chatametikool | Nominated | |||
| Best Original | Dave Lumenta | Nominated | |||
| Best Theme Song | Dave Lumenta Indra Perkasa Bonnie Rubin | Nominated | Bangun Bajingan (Performed by Ananda Badudu & Rubina) | ||
| Best Art Direction | Eros Eflin | Won | |||
| Best Makeup & Hairstyling | Cherry Wirawan | Won | |||
| Best Special Effects | Rivai Chen | Nominated | |||
| Best Poster Design | Ferancis | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Gemailla Gea | Won | |||
| 2022 | 42nd Citra Awards | Best Picture | Meiske Taurisia Muhammad Zaidy | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Edwin | Won | |||
| Best Actor | Marthino Lio | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Ladya Cheryl | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Reza Rahadian | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Ratu Felisha | Nominated | |||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Edwin | Won | |||
| Best Original Score | Dave Lumenta | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Song | Nominated | Bangun Bajingan (Performed by Ananda Badudu & Rubina) | |||
| Best Costume Design | Gemailla Gea | Won | |||
| Best Art Direction | Eros Eflin | Nominated | |||
| Best Makeup & Hairstyling | Cherry Wirawan | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | 35th Bandung Film Festival | Best Film | Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Edwin | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Marthino Lio | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Ladya Cheryl | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Score | Dave Lumenta | Nominated | |||
| Best Art Direction | Eros Eflin | Won | |||
| 2022 | 16th Indonesian Movie Awards | Best Ensemble | Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash | Won | |
| Favorite Film | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actor | Marthino Lio | Won | |||
| Favorite Actor | Nominated | ||||
| Best Actress | Ladya Cheryl | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Actress | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | Reza Rahadian | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Supporting Actor | Won | ||||
| Best Supporting Actress | Ratu Felisha | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||||
| Best Newcomer | Sal Priadi | Won | |||
| Favorite Newcomer | Nominated | ||||
| Best Chemistry | Marthino Lio Ladya Cheryl | Nominated |
References
- ^ "Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash".
- ^ a b c JawaPos.com (5 November 2020). "Film 'Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas' Siap Tayang 2021". JawaPos.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ Kiang, Jessica (14 August 2021). "Golden Leopard Winner 'Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash' Heads Impressive Slate Of Locarno Awards". Variety. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash —". www.purinpictures.org. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "Palari Films on Twitter". Twitter (in Indonesian). 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ Maullana, Irfan (10 May 2016). "Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas" Diangkat ke Layar Lebar". Kompas.com. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ a b . 28 September 2018. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Usaha Memfilkan Novel Eka Kurniawan". beritagar.id. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ a b Efendi, Ali Satri (20 February 2020). "Kabar Terbaru Film "Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas"". Infoscreening. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
- ^ "White Light Post". White Light Post.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (6 August 2021). "Indonesian Director Edwin Talks Sex, Violence and Dictatorship in 'Vengeance Is Mine'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ "Palari Films on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ Barraclough, Leo (1 July 2021). "The Match Factory Acquires Locarno Competition Title 'Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (14 August 2021). "'Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash' Wins Locarno Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Stiff, Victor (17 September 2021). "TIFF 2021: Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash Review". That Shelf. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ Blaney, Martin (14 September 2021). "'Great Freedom', 'Paris, 13th District' to bookend 2021 Filmfest Hamburg". Screen. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ^ Paramesti, Amira. "Ini Dia 5 Film Indonesia yang Bakal Tayang di Busan International Film Festival!" [Here are the five Indonesian films that will be screened at the Busan International Film Festival]. USS Feed. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ White, James (8 September 2021). "BFI London Film Festival 2021 Full Programme Revealed, Including Last Night In Soho, The French Dispatch And Spencer". Empire Online. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ antaranews.com (1 November 2021). ""Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas" tayang 2 Desember 2021". Antara News. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ "Data penonton tahun 2021". filmindonesia.or.id. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
- ^ a b Weissberg, Jay (10 August 2021). "'Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash' Review: Retro '80s Action Homage Uses Sexual impotence as Social Critique". Variety. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ Boto, Diego Cepeda,Calin; Cepeda, Diego; Boto, Calin (11 August 2021). "Edwin Calls for a Revival of Sensitivity With Locarno's 'Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash'". Variety. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Crítica: Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash". Cineuropa - lo mejor del cine europeo (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 August 2021.
External links
- Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash at IMDb