WHAT’S ON DAY 4: From Award-Winning Films, Saudi Arabian Cinema, the Transformation of Indonesian Cinema, to Celebrating 20 Years of Reza Rahadian at JAFF20

Entering its fourth day, the JAFF 20 program continues to showcase the richness of perspectives and the evolving dynamics of the film ecosystem in Asia and Indonesia. Today presents a blend of artistically powerful international film screenings, in-depth discussions on the transformation of Indonesian cinema, and the celebration of two decades of the career of one of Indonesia’s leading figures who is now also a director, Reza Rahadian.

HAIR, PAPER, WATER… A POETIC MEDITATION ON MEMORY AND HERITAGE

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Empire XXI Studio 2 | 12.30 WIB

Friday, 5 December 2025 | Empire XXI Studio 2 | 20.30 WIB

Directed by Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quý, this film observes the life of Cao Thi Hau, a Ruc woman who was born in a cave more than six decades ago. With a lyrical, observational approach, Hair, Paper, Water… traces her daily rhythms, her dreams, and the fragile passage of language and cultural heritage to the next generation. Having had its world premiere in Locarno and earned multiple accolades, this Main Competition title stands as one of the most tender and resonant non-fiction works of the year.

KEEP ROLLING, AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF A HONG KONG MAESTRO

Tuesday, 2 Dcsember 2025 | Empire XXI Studio Premiere | 15.45 WIB

In Keep Rolling, production designer Man Lim Chung captures a warm, candid portrait of Ann Hui, one of the most prominent and highly respected figures in Asian cinema. The film follows her from the red carpet to muddy village paths, mapping a life that spans China, Macau, and Hong Kong, alongside her lifelong devotion to stories about ordinary people. The result is a gentle, reflective tribute to a filmmaker whose dedication to cinema remains unwavering.

WHITE SNOW, A PILGRIMAGE AGAINST SILENCE

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Empire XXI Studio 4 | 18.15 WIB

Praveen Morchhale’s White Snow is a moving drama about a mother who journeys across the Himalayan peaks with her pet yak and an old cathode-ray TV, determined to screen her son’s film, an artwork banned by both the state and religious hardliners. Through Morchhale’s signature poetic style, the film blends the sweeping beauty of Kashmir with a profound exploration of freedom, resilience, and a mother’s boundless love.

UNIDENTIFIED, A FILM BY SAUDI ARABIA’S FIRST FEMALE DIRECTOR, HAIFAA AL-MANSOUR

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Empire XXI Studio 3 | 12.15 WIB

Unidentified stands out as one of the key highlights of JAFF’s fourth day. Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour, a pioneering figure in Saudi cinema and the country’s first female filmmaker. The film showcases her signature blend of artistic boldness and sharp social commentary. Following the story of a grieving mother who has lost her daughter, Unidentified takes audiences deep into her personal investigation after the police halt their search into the death of a teenage girl found in the desert.

PUBLIC LECTURE: “WRITING CHANGE: INDONESIAN CINEMA IN A TIME OF TRANSFORMATION”

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Edelweiss Room, ARTOTEL Suites Bianti | 10.00-12.00 WIB

This discussion invites the public to explore the long journey of Indonesian cinema after the Reform era—a period marked by significant shifts in production culture, distribution systems, and on-screen representation. The session features Dag S. Yngvesson (Film Researcher), Thomas Barker (Film Researcher), Budi Irawanto (President of JAFF / Film Researcher), and Debby Dwi Elsha (Lecturer). In Going Mainstream: Indonesian Cinema after the New Order, Thomas Barker explains how Indonesian cinema entered the mainstream of popular culture and the national creative economy, while simultaneously navigating the dynamics of market forces and capital power. Meanwhile, Dag S. Yngvesson, through Archipelagic Cinemas: Screening Southeast Asian Modernity, positions cinema as a cross-national space reflecting the identities of Southeast Asia. Through the lens of archipelagic modernity, he situates Indonesia within a network of maritime histories and cultures that shape our contemporary visual experience. This talk offers an important space for filmmakers, academics, and audiences to understand the structural and narrative shifts that continue to guide the evolving direction of Indonesian cinema. 

BOOKTALKS: “MEREKA YANG PERTAMA” 
REZA RAHADIAN: 20 YEARS REFLECTION

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 | Empire XXI Main Stage | 19.00-20.30 WIB

In collaboration with JAFF20, Reza Rahadian presents 20 Years Reflection to celebrate his 20-year career. Included in the program is presenting his latest book, Mereka yang Pertama, a reflective work that traces the early chapters of his life, the people who shaped his artistic journey, and the values that built his identity as an actor and storyteller. In this Book Talks & Meet and Greet session, Reza opens an intimate and warm space for conversation with the public, sharing stories, lessons, and creative milestones. The session also offers valuable insight into the role that formative first experiences play in shaping young filmmakers, creating a meaningful space of inspiration for the next generation of storytellers.

More screening and non-screening programs to explore on JAFF20 Day 4. Full details of JAFF20 program and ticketing information is available at jaff-filmfest.org and @jaffjogja