Rudi Soedjarwo Presents Latest Film 'WHEN FACING GOD' Coinciding with 25 Years of Work

Kapanlagi.com - Veteran director, Rudi Soedjarwo has been working in the Indonesian film industry for 25 years. And in this special year, he will release a new film titled WHEN FACING GOD which is scheduled to be released on June 6, 2024.

Through this film, Rudi seeks to explore issues that he believes need to be discussed more openly in society, including bullying, domestic violence, sexual harassment, childhood trauma, and self-love.

WHEN FACING GOD is the first film produced by Rudi's new production house, RexCorp. Prior to its release in theaters across Indonesia next month, RexCorp has unveiled the official poster and trailer for the film starring Rafi Sudirman, Abielo Parengkuan, Denisha Wahyuni, Dede Satria, Cindy Sebastiani, Gilbert Pattiruhu, Aryani Willems, and Poppy Sovia.

1. Taken from Rudi Soedjarwo's Personal Experience

Still film WHEN FACING GOD (Photo credit: RexCorp)

The story WHEN FACING GOD is a reflection of the anxiety that arises from Rudi's personal experience, which he then develops and writes the script together with Djemima. Rudi starts from a fairly simple premise: out of the many traumatic acts of violence that often befall teenagers, who is most responsible for protecting and guiding them?

By pouring his restlessness into the film, Rudi hopes that his work can encourage the audience to always strive to know themselves and explore life more deeply. This film is also intended as a catalyst for dialogue, to constantly question the dogmas imposed by society.

By advocating critical thinking through the narrative of WHEN FACING GOD, Rudi hopes to inspire his audience to be vocal, take action, and break the chain of trauma and inner wounds caused by previous generations.

2. Synopsis WHEN FACING GOD

Rudi Soedjarwo has been working in the Indonesian film industry for 25 years (Photo credit: RexCorp)

WHEN FACING GOD revolves around the stories of four teenagers with their respective problems, but united by the same thread of despair: regret. Each story of the four protagonists represents a common issue found in society today.

Damar (Rafi Sudirman), a young man who dreams of making his mother happy, grows up with trauma and suppressed anger after witnessing his father's senseless death at the hands of a thug. Taught not to express his feelings, the emotional turmoil within him is like an active volcano that can erupt at any moment.

Gito (Abielo Parengkuan), Damar's friend, is born into a well-off family. Despite his seemingly problem-free life, the lack of healthy communication between him and his parents makes him socially awkward and a target of bullying.

Nala (Denisha Wahyuni) lives in a family that fails to provide a safe space and primary protection for a teenager, where the men in her family seem to easily hurt the female members. Fortunately, Nala finds solace in music, which she uses as an escape from the harsh reality.

Meanwhile, Marlo (Dede Satria) is a hero figure at school, with a powerful father figure, and grows up with a language of love in the form of power. Raised by a father who constantly makes him feel small, Marlo becomes a teenager who doesn't hesitate to bully and make others feel small, creating a chain of trauma passed down through generations.

Although they want to live a normal teenage life, the trauma and emotional wounds they experience connect them while they each fight their own battles.

3. Still Bringing the Same Formula as Previous Films

WHEN FACING GOD introduces a series of new actors and actresses (Photo credit: RexCorp)

Trailer WHEN FACING GOD which was launched on May 8, 2024, online, begins with a handheld shot of a character running while screaming hysterically. Visually, from this scene, we can draw the common cinematic elements that can be found in two of Rudi's previous works; the running sequence in CHASING THE SUN and the dark atmosphere of narrow urban alleys in 9 DRAGONS.

This, of course, becomes a homage that has its own appeal, especially for fans of Rudi's films. However, not only from an aesthetic point of view, Rudi's characteristic can also be found in WHEN FACING GOD. One thing that Rudi has consistently done since his first film, FALLING STAR in 1999, is to highlight new actors and actresses!

WHEN FACING GOD, which has four protagonists played by four new and talented actors and actresses, is highly anticipated by all Indonesian film lovers. Considering his track record, Rudi's films often become a stepping stone for talented young actors, who later develop into top actors and actresses.

"The pleasure and satisfaction for me in making a film is when I can produce new talented individuals, both in front of and behind the screen in my films. So, my work is not just the film itself, but also the people involved in its production. That's what makes everything worth fighting for," said Rudi Soedjarwo.

4. Career Track Record of Rudi Soedjarwo

First film by Rudi, BINTANG JATUH, is the big screen debut of two Citra Award-winning actresses: Dian Sastrowardoyo and Marcella Zalianty. Bintang Jatuh also convinced producers Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza to eventually recruit Rudi to direct ADA APA DENGAN CINTA? (2002).

Aside from becoming one of the most iconic Indonesian films of all time, AADC? also marked the debut performances of young actors and actresses who later established themselves as seasoned actors (three of whom also won Citra Awards): Nicholas Saputra, Adinia Wirasti, Ladya Cheryl, and Sissy Priscillia.

In the span of 10 years after that, Rudi's films consistently gave birth to brilliant talents in the future of Indonesian cinema. MENGEJAR MATAHARI (2004) became the first film for Fedi Nuril and Fauzi Baadila; Sigi Wimala made her debut in TENTANG DIA (2005); Dwi Sasono got his first major role in MENDADAK DANGDUT (2006); Poppy Sovia, who also appeared in SAAT MENGHADAP TUHAN, played her first leading role in MENGEJAR MAS-MAS (2007); and two members of Coboy Jr., Bastian Steel and Iqbaal Ramadhan, tried their hand at acting for the first time in LIMA ELANG (2011).

So, will the new actors in SAAT MENGHADAP TUHAN also skyrocket their careers like their predecessors? Don't miss watching the film on June 6, 2024!

(kpl/gtr)