The year 2025 marks a dual milestone: twenty years of JAFF and twenty years of Reza Rahadian’s journey in Indonesian cinema. Over the past two decades, Reza has looked back on his professional path while venturing new creative forms he had never explored before. This year, he released his book “Mereka yang Pertama”, a personal collection of early memories and the people who shaped his life and career. He also made his feature directorial debut Pangku (On Your Lap), co-written with Felix K. Nesi—a film that immediately garnered four awards at the Busan International Film Festival and four Citra Awards at Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) 2025, including Best Picture.
To celebrate this milestone, JAFF20 presents a special collaborative program, “Reza Rahadian: 20 Years Reflection,” showcasing key works that represent his evolution as an actor. The selection includes three films, they are Something in the Way (Teddy Soeriaatmadja, 2012), Guru Bangsa Tjokroaminoto (Garin Nugroho, 2015), and Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (Edwin, 2021), each highlighting Reza’s strong acting performance and character interpretation.
Teddy Soeriaatmadja’s Something in the Way, which never received a theatrical release, is brought to the big screen by JAFF20 as part of this 20-year reflection collaboration program. Known for his intimate, character-driven films, Teddy crafts a quietly intense portrait of connection and isolation. Reza delivers a remarkable performance as Ahmad, grounding the character’s awkward yet deeply human relationships with sincerity. The 90-minute film earned Reza the Best Actor at Film Pilihan Tempo Award and marked his first introduction to the international festival circuit.
In Garin Nugroho’s biopic, Guru Bangsa Tjokroaminoto (The Hijra), Reza embodies national hero Haji Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto with conviction. The film follows Tjokro’s resistance against Dutch oppression, the founding of the Sarekat Islam movement, and the ideological and political challenges that shaped the era. Through Reza’s commanding portrayal, Tjokro emerges as a visionary leader dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Indonesian thinkers and revolutionaries.
Edwin’s Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash showcases yet another dimension of Reza’s acting performance. As the antagonist Budi Baik, he pushes his performance into bolder territory, a role that received praise from critics for its precision and intensity.
Despite two decades of a career in film, Reza continues to return to the theatrical performance. In a Q&A session following yesterday’s screening, he shared that theater and film act as complementary forces that enrich each other. Anchored by ambition, competitiveness, and an unwavering sense of dedication, Reza Rahadian remains committed to a long, evolving artistic journey.
As he reflects on his 20-year career, Reza emphasizes that it has never been about the scale of a project, but about an artist’s sensitivity—an awareness of the world around them, and the ability to shape stories that resonate deeply with many.
Today, on Day 4 of the festival, Reza will be on the Main Stage for a meet & greet session and also a Booktalk Program for his book “Mereka yang Pertama”.
