One Hundred Percent in Sundanese Language, Kamila Andini's New Film 'BEFORE, NOW & THEN' Ready to Compete at Berlinale

Kapanlagi.com - Good news once again comes from the Indonesian film industry. Kamila Andini's latest work titled BEFORE, NOW & THEN has successfully entered the main competition of the prestigious Berlinale International Film Festival.

This drama, starring Happy Salma, Laura Basuki, Ibnu Jamil, and Arawinda Kirana, passed the selection and is ready to compete with 18 films from various countries. There are two awards, the Golden Bear and the Silver Bear, ready to be contested.

Since the first time she heard the news that her film entered the main competition, Kamila admitted that she still couldn't believe it. She did not expect that a film that uses 100% Sundanese language could attract the attention of the jury.

"I am still speechless until now from the first time I heard the news. Because this film is something new for me. Where I made a film that is an adaptation and a period film as well. One of the enjoyable things is challenging myself," said Kamila in a press conference in the Antasari area, South Jakarta, on Friday (21/1/2022).

1. Developed From One Part of the Book

The film BEFORE, NOW & THEN was developed from one chapter in the autobiographical novel titled Jais Darga Namaku, published in 2018. From one chapter of the book titled Telur (Eggs), Kamila Andini developed it into a feature film set in West Java in the 1950s and 1960s.

"I read the book Jais Darga Namaku in 2018 while writing the script for YUNI and I was quite interested when reading the chapter titled Telur. I was immediately interested because of the chapter's title. Because in my second film SEKALA NISKALA, there was a discussion about eggs. It was such a coincidence. When I read it, I immediately connected it that fast," said Kamila.

2. One Hundred Percent in Sundanese

Credit: Bayu Herdianto © KapanLagi.com

In the original source, there was no use of Sundanese language. However, after discussions with co-producer Happy Salma, producer Ifa Isfansyah, and an art dealer named Jais Darga, whose parents' story was adapted, Kamila Andini decided to make this film one hundred percent in Sundanese.

"Why make this film fully in Sundanese? Because I have a concern for regional languages. From my first film, I have always used regional languages, not Indonesian. For me, making a film is not just about visuals, but also about capturing diversity through audio. That's why I chose Sundanese as the language," explained Kamila, the wife of filmmaker Ifa Isfansyah.

3. Filming Periodic Films During a Pandemic

Credit: Bayu Herdianto © KapanLagi.com

BEFORE, NOW & THEN is a periodic drama film set in the 1950s and late 1960s. Despite filming during a pandemic, Kamila Andini is happy to have completed it amidst limitations.

"The filming took place in March 2021. Because we were filming during a pandemic, I specifically designed the script for filming during a pandemic. The main set was only one, and if there were outdoor scenes, they were mostly in open spaces. It was quite challenging to make a period film during a pandemic and ensure everyone's safety," explained Kamila.

4. Being Friends with the Husband's Mistress

Credit: Bayu Herdianto © KapanLagi.com

BEFORE, NOW & THEN tells the story of a woman named Raden Nana Sunani who escapes from a group of men who want to marry her. She then starts a new life with a Sundanese nobleman and befriends her husband's mistress.

The character of Raden Nana Sunani is played by Happy Salma. Meanwhile, the role of Nana's husband's mistress named Ino is played by Laura Basuki. It also involves Ibnu Jamil and Arawinda Kirana.

5. Berlinale International Film Festival

Credit: Bayu Herdianto © KapanLagi.com

BEFORE, NOW & THEN will have its world premiere at the Berlinale International Film Festival in February. Meanwhile, the release in Indonesian cinemas is still under discussion.

(kpl/abs/ums)