Director Roeroe Hendra’s new project, “A Life Full of Holes”, a drama about Indonesian migrant workers, was selected as a JAFF Future Project, and his debut feature film “Tale of the Land” won the Fipressi Award at the Busan International Film Festival and was also screened at the Jogja Netpac Asian Film Festival.
The Indonesian film, directed by Hendra and produced by Indra Yuditya, Dewi Umayya and Hendra through their production company Onomastika Films, is one of 10 Asia-Pacific titles selected for the JAFF Future Project at this year’s JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
“A Life Full of Holes” depicts 17-year-old Sula, who bears the burden of a broken family after her mother, Rastri, goes to work in Taiwan and her father abandons the family for another woman. Sula, who dreams of becoming a famous content creator, works in a small shop and takes care of her two younger brothers with little financial support.
Ambulances transport the migrant worker’s body and fear mounts when Rastri cannot be reached. Evicted due to their father’s debts, Sula and her brother move into the house of an indifferent uncle. Determined to find her mother, she enlists the help of her boyfriend Agus, contacts her senior migrant worker Shuri, and eventually secures an opportunity to go to Taiwan with musician Kaku Nan, who is invited to perform there.
In Taiwan, Sula learns that her mother is frail and hiding a painful secret. Rastri lives with an abusive immigrant partner and has a child with him. After Rastri dies in a work accident, Sula returns home with grief and a new sibling. Although she grew to become a famous content creator, she was unable to restore the lost family unity.
For Hendra, this project represents a deeply personal realm. “I grew up without my parents. Since I was a child, my parents worked abroad,” says the director. “Behind the words ‘For a better future’ lies the invisible wound of children who grew up without love or parental presence. This film is a voice for those who have been silenced for too long, exposed to prejudice and labeled as abandoned.”
As the child of migrant workers, Hendra knows what it feels like to be considered a burden and endure ridicule. “This story reflects me and millions of other immigrant children,” he says. “This film highlights how immigrant children’s struggle is not just about waiting for their parents to return, but also about psychological survival.”
The title is an allegory of the lives of migrant workers caught in a cycle of hope and harsh reality, including divorce, abandoned children, and violence. “This film is important as a bridge to collective consciousness, a tribute to survivors, and an encouragement to create a more compassionate environment,” Hendra says.
Producers emphasized the urgency of the subject matter, noting that the film is rooted in the anxieties surrounding the reality of Indonesian migrant workers, which affects millions of families. Of the 9.2 million migrant workers, nearly half are undocumented and face the risk of abuse, exploitation and loss of human rights.
“Behind these numbers are stories that are rarely heard: stories of children deprived of their parents’ love, families torn apart, and women struggling alone in a foreign land,” the producers say. “For Loeloe, this story is deeply personal. He is the son of migrant worker parents. This authentic perspective strengthens the story.”
The film depicts universal issues of love, pain, and longing among immigrant families through an intimate and realistic approach. Production will take place in Java and Taiwan, with local talent participating to maintain cultural authenticity.
At JAFF Market, filmmakers aim to connect with local investors and potential international co-production partners who can help and collaborate with them to realize their projects. The film will be shot not only in Indonesia but also overseas, especially in countries with the largest number of migrant workers from Indonesia, with Taiwan also being one of the key filming locations.
“We hope this film will spark important conversations about immigration and become a voice for Indonesia on the international stage,” say the producers.
The project is currently under development. The JAFF Future Project is designed to serve as a development platform and co-creation hub, advancing independent works towards completion and distribution. This initiative was carried out from November 29th to December. It was held at Yogya Expo Center in Yogyakarta as part of the broader 20th anniversary celebrations of the Yogya Netpac Asian Film Festival.
