Boxing Drama ‘Light of Fire’ Takes Shape at JAFF Market

As a seasoned movie buff with a penchant for stories rooted in personal experiences and cultural contexts, I find “The Light of Fire” to be an exciting addition to the cinematic landscape. The narrative’s focus on grief, vengeance, and self-discovery resonates deeply with me, having seen similar themes woven beautifully into various films throughout my viewing journey.

The Indonesian film “The Light of Fire” (Tinju Api), an action-drama focusing on the journey to maturity directed and written by Sesarini, will be showcased at the first JAFF Market that coincides with the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival.

The project titled “Ruang Basbeth Bercerita,” created by Lyza Anggraheni and Ismail Basbeth, narrates the story of 17-year-old Yuda. After his father is tragically killed in an underground fight, Yuda becomes entangled in the world of illegal boxing as he pursues vengeance. However, he learns that true healing lies not in seeking revenge but in cherishing and carrying on his father’s legacy.

The movie has attracted notice during its development phase, placing second in the 2023 Indonesiana script lab competition following its participation in the Producer Lab at the 2022 Jakarta Film Week.

Producer Anggraheni notes that the setting for the story is Malang. Since Sesarini’s father hails from Malang, she decided to make use of this chance to establish a link with her father’s birthplace.

In a more personal touch than just setting, Sesarini expresses that ‘The Light of Fire’ delved into an unexpressed aspect of sorrow – the quietness, solitude, and our attempts to find relief methods when we believe there are none left. This is explained by the director herself.

The movie’s design focuses on depicting Yuda’s emotional boxing odyssey, utilizing starkly different color schemes to symbolize his personal metamorphosis. Initially, the narrative unfolds in somber hues, reflecting his sorrow, before evolving into brighter shades that echo his deepening resolve and ultimate journey towards acceptance.

The production team is working hard to make the movie known on a global scale by searching for development funding and potential representatives at JAFF Market. Anggraheni mentions that although Indonesia’s growing film market offers possibilities for international collaborations, it can be difficult to get local investors interested in audiences outside of their own country.

According to Anggraheni, it’s thought that numerous companies worldwide could be keen on collaborating on Indonesian productions. She also notes that the government’s backing for independent filmmakers has been instrumental in facilitating connections between these projects and the global film industry.

“The Light of Fire” is at the market’s Future Project platform.

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2024-12-05 04:46