Film 'GOWOK: KAMASUTRA JAWA' Breaks into Prestigious Competition at IFFR 2025

Kapanlagi.com - Indonesian film continues to achieve international success. GOWOK: KAMASUTRA JAWA, directed by Hanung Bramantyo and produced by Raam Punjabi, has officially been selected as one of the participants in the Big Screen Competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025. This event takes place from January 30 to February 9 and is one of the most prestigious competitions in the film world.

The Big Screen Competition is known as a place to appreciate films that dare to explore aesthetics without neglecting entertainment elements. In this category, Gowok will compete with 12 films from various countries. This is proof that Indonesian filmmakers can stand alongside their international counterparts.

Lola Amaria, who plays Nyai Santi, shared her happiness about this achievement. “I am happy to learn that the film GOWOK: KAMASUTRA JAWA has entered this prestigious festival. For the umpteenth time, an Indonesian film has entered the competition section. Moreover, this film tells the story of women's existence amidst the political turmoil of the 50s and 60s,” she said when met in Jakarta on Monday (3/2/2025).

1. Have Charisma

Nyai Santi, a character played by Lola, is a respected Chinese descendant woman in her village. Her role as a sex educator and guide for noble men is the main highlight of this film. Through her story, this film raises complex issues regarding women and sex, set against the cultural backdrop of Java in the past.

Lola believes that the character and themes presented in *Gowok* have a strong appeal to compete on the international stage. “The Rotterdam Film Festival has its own character. Most of the films entering this festival competition always talk about classic themes, with an aesthetic approach while still having popular content. The film *Gowok* discusses the past Javanese culture (Banyumasan), old traditions that may no longer exist but are still relevant to discuss because they relate to issues of women and sex,” she explained.

The theme brought by *Gowok* is also considered by Lola to be unique and sexy, thus attracting the attention of a large film festival like IFFR. “In my opinion, it is because of its sexy, universal, and unique theme. Sexy because of the issues, universal because it talks about women, and unique because it connects the female figure with the complexities of sexual issues. Besides that, the issue of sex is still considered taboo, especially since the film is set in the 50s-60s,” she added.

2. Bringing Local Traditions to the International Stage

GOWOK: JAVANESE KAMASUTRA (Credit: Special)

This film not only focuses on issues of sexuality but also brings Indonesian local culture and traditions to the international stage. Lola emphasizes the importance of this to introduce Indonesia's diversity to the world. “For me, this is very important. The local issues in Indonesia are very diverse, and film is the most appropriate medium to provide perspective on everything that happens in a country,” she said.

GOWOK: KAMASUTRA JAWA not only highlights Javanese culture but also depicts how women can be at the center of complex social and political issues. Its presence at IFFR 2025 is expected to open more opportunities for other Indonesian films to shine on the international stage.

As a significant step in the film industry, Gowok's involvement in the Big Screen Competition brings new hope for Indonesian filmmakers. With a strong and relevant theme, this film is expected not only to bring home awards but also to open global dialogue on women's issues and sexuality from the perspective of Indonesian culture.

(kpl/aal/tdr)