Proud! 'GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA' Accelerates to the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2025

Great news for Indonesian film lovers! The cool director who has won 2 Citra Awards, none other than Hanung Bramantyo, has just made an announcement that makes us proud. His latest film titled GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA has successfully passed the selection and will showcase at the prestigious international film event, the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025! Cool, right? This is real evidence that the works of our nation can also compete on the world stage.

The IFFR will be held in the Netherlands, from January 30 to February 9, 2025. GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA, produced by MVP Pictures, is not to be underestimated, guys. This film will compete fiercely with 12 other cool films from various countries in the Big Screen Competition. Wow, the competition is sure to be intense! But, we all definitely support Mas Hanung's work wholeheartedly, right? Hopefully, he can bring home the trophy!

For those who don't know, the Big Screen Competition is a prestigious competition at IFFR that awards films that dare to stand out and have high aesthetic value, but are still fun and entertaining to watch. Mas Hanung himself was also surprised that his film made it. Through his tweet, he said, "As a filmmaker who has never been to an international festival, being included in the Big Screen program competition at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2025 is a great honor." Wow, congratulations, Mas Hanung! Wishing you continued success!

1. Hanung's Initial Doubts Turn into Pride

IMDb.com

The two-time Citra Award-winning director, Hanung Bramantyo, was initially filled with doubt when he first heard the news that his latest film, GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA, was selected to compete at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025. Through a post on his personal Instagram account on Thursday (19/12/2024), Hanung expressed his disbelief. He even felt like he was being pranked or worried that there was a mistake in the festival's programming. "Half unsure. Afraid of being pranked. What if the programming is wrong? Ah, I really know nothing about this festival stuff," wrote Hanung in his post, reflecting how unfamiliar he was with the world of international film festivals.

Hanung's doubts slowly faded after he confirmed the truth of the information through the official IFFR website. He then thanked actress Djenar Maesa Ayu, who always assured him that one day his film would be able to break through to prestigious festivals in Europe. "I have to thank mba @djenarmaesaayu who always convinced me that one day my film would be able to penetrate prestigious festivals in Europe. And it turns out to be true," Hanung revealed. After seeing the confirmation on the official IFFR website, Hanung felt very proud and touched because GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA successfully made it into the competition alongside films from around the world.

2. 'GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA' : The Story of an Ancient Profession in the Era 1955-1965

IMDb.com

The film GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA is set between the years 1955 and 1965 and presents a unique and interesting story. The film tells the tale of a woman who works as a "gowok," a sex shaman who provides sex education to prospective grooms before marriage. She teaches how to satisfy a wife in bed based on ancient texts such as Centhini, Nitimani, and Wulangreh. Through these teachings, the gowok strives to ensure that women receive their rights to be loved, valued, and satisfied both physically and spiritually.

The profession of gowok, which was once quite common in Javanese society, began to fade after 1965. This film not only offers entertainment but also provides insights into the traditions and culture of the past. GOWOK JAVANESE KAMASUTRA stars several renowned Indonesian actors and actresses, including Raihaanun, Lola Amaria, Alika Jantinia, Devano Danendra, Reza Rahadian, Djenar Maesa Ayu, Ali Fikry, Donny Damara, Slamet Rahardjo, and Nayla Purnama. The presence of these top stars certainly adds to the film's appeal. Sounds interesting, right? Don't forget to watch it when it’s released! You can invite your friends. If not now, when else?

(kpl/shn)