Director's Debut Wins, Reza Rahadian: Still Feels Surreal

Kapanlagi.com - Winning an international award for his directorial debut makes Reza Rahadian still feel like he is in a dream. This top actor admits that the feeling of his victory at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2025 feels surreal and hard to believe.

Widely known as one of Indonesia's best actors, Reza is now starting a new chapter in his career behind the scenes. This victory also marks a sweet beginning, as well as a great responsibility that he must bear.

Read more news about Reza Rahadian at Liputan6.com.

1. Very Surreal

"It's very surreal. Heeh, it feels like floating, like, 'Did we really go home yesterday? Come on, let's wake up,' like that, 'It's not a dream, right? Okay then,'" he replied when met in the Cipete area, South Jakarta, on Wednesday (01/10/2025).

2. A Burden of Its Own

Reza Rahadian © Instagram/officialpilarez

Although it feels proud, Reza does not deny that this achievement also brings its own burden. However, he views it as a positive pressure that will drive him to continue learning and growing as a filmmaker.

3. Keep Learning

Reza Rahadian © Instagram/officialpilarez

"There will always be burdens, but it seems like it's a good burden for me as a first-time director. Hopefully, there will still be many things that keep me up to date with learning," he said.

4. Room to Grow

Reza Rahadian © Instagram/officialpilarez

For him, the experience of working on and bringing the film PANGKU to the festival is a humbling experience. He feels he has found a new space to grow, which is different from his world as an actor.

5. A Different Space

Reza Rahadian © Instagram/officialpilarez

"The fun part of the film process, making this film, is that in the end, I have an opportunity that I don’t want to take it for granted, which is a new opportunity to grow in a different space," he explained.

6. The Maturation Process

Reza Rahadian © KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

Reza sees the director's chair as a new arena for him to learn, make mistakes, accept criticism, and be reprimanded. All of this is part of the maturation process in his new career.

"So far, of course, actors have given me extraordinary opportunities, the industry has given me extraordinary opportunities, but directing is a different matter," he said.

7. Different Aspects

Reza Rahadian © KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

Now, as a director, he feels he has a new, vast space to continue growing.

"Suddenly as a director, I have this new space to grow, to make new mistakes, to perhaps be criticized again from different aspects," concluded Reza.

8. Q & A About Reza Rahadian

Reza Rahadian © KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

What is the title of the first feature film directed by Reza Rahadian?
The first feature film directed by Reza Rahadian is PANGKU, which has the international title On Your Lap.

How many awards did the film PANGKU win at the Busan International Film Festival 2025?
The film Pangku won four awards at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2025.

(kpl/aal/tdr)