'COTO VS KONRO', The Culinary Competition of Makassar that Entertains with Family Conflict

Kapanlagi.com - The latest film in the comedy-drama genre, COTO VS KONRO, is set to premiere in Indonesian cinemas starting February 6, 2025. This film raises a unique theme about the culinary competition of Makassar, accompanied by touching family conflicts. Produced by DCU Production and Rumah Semut Film, and directed by Irham Acho Bahtiar, this film promises a blend of drama, comedy, and deep messages about family.

This film tells the story of a feud between two restaurants in Makassar, namely the legendary Coto Haji Matto and the newly established Konro Daeng Sangkala. The coto stall owned by Haji Matto (Luthfi Sato) is widely known for its distinctive taste, a result of recipes passed down from his ancestors. However, the conflict begins when Daeng Sangkala (Awaluddin Tahir) attempts to buy the stall to develop it into a large franchise business.

Haji Matto, who is idealistic, flatly rejects the offer. “We shot in 2018, the editing was halted due to the pandemic, and it was only completed two years ago, and it is just about to be shown," he said in the Kuningan area, South Jakarta, Thursday (23/1/2025).

1. Highlight Family Story

Feeling hopeless, Daeng Sangkala finally established the Konro Daeng Sangkala restaurant right in front of Haji Matto's stall. With aggressive promotional strategies, maximum service, and the help of experienced manager Rustam (Pieter Ell), this restaurant successfully attracted loyal customers from Coto Haji Matto.

Amidst the fierce competition, the relationship between their children, Rizal (Adit Triyuda) and Sara (Nielam Amir), began to develop. Initially, Rizal was only carrying out a mission from Daeng Sangkala, but the relationship grew more complicated, adding an emotional layer to the story.

According to director Irham Acho Bahtiar, this film is not just about food, but also highlights the family story that is at the core of the narrative. "Actually, food is just a silent witness; the conflict lies with these entrepreneurs and the family story. This comedy genre film is needed amidst the current horror-themed films," he said.

2. Slightly Delayed

COTO VS KONRO © KapanLagi.com/Sahal Fadhli

Screenwriter Ferdy K. also emphasizes the importance of family messages in this film. "The essence of the story is that family cannot be separated even with different visions. In the end, they both compromise," said Ferdy. He hopes this film can remind viewers that family is a priority, even though disagreements often occur.

The production process of COTO VS KONRO began in 2018, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Irham admitted to being very satisfied with the results, especially the performances of the actors, which were so natural. “I am amazed by the two parent actors who play the main roles. They performed it very well and naturally,” said Irham.

This film also stars Aty Kodong, Pieter Ell, and local actors trained directly by Haji Matto. The combination of fresh comedy, family conflict, and the unique culinary culture of Makassar makes COTO VS KONRO a must-watch. This film is expected not only to entertain but also to convey a profound message about the meaning of family and the importance of understanding differences.

(kpl/aal/tdr)