Kanya Iwana, an Indonesian multidisciplinary artist making her feature directorial debut, has selected Ibu as a JAFF Future Project, depicting three generations of women grappling with their inherited identities in 2011 Yogyakarta.
The Indonesian-US co-production, directed by Iwana and produced by Zach Rice through his production company Feed You Films, is one of 10 titles selected as a JAFF Future Project at this year’s JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
“Eve” depicts Maya, a formidable Javanese woman who once dreamed of becoming a writer but gave up on that ambition under obligation and tradition. Now a widow, she becomes a parent through manipulation under the guise of protection, and resents her daughters pursuing the freedoms they were taught they could never claim.
Her eldest daughter, Tash, fled to Los Angeles years ago, juggling single motherhood and an uncertain creative career. When Maya’s husband Aliyev dies, Tash returns home to face not only her domineering mother, but also her overbearing grandmother Dewi and her 16-year-old half-sister Ines, who wanders through the same emotional minefield that Tash ran from. During Arif’s seventh day prayer ritual, Maya reveals her previously unspoken fears publicly, and everything falls apart.
“I’ve always been interested in exploring the atlas of family relationships, whether it’s a traditional Indonesian family (often inspired by my own upbringing) or a rarefied, liberal American family,” Ivana says. “Now that I am a parent myself, and have had to think inward about many things, I have become even more inspired to explore stories surrounding the complexities of parenting in order to break generational curses while preserving valuable habits.”
The director is inspired not only as a mother, but also as a daughter. “I left home when I was 16 and have been away ever since,” she says. “This story reflects many of my feelings about that part of my life and my homecoming experience, from sadness to pride. Writing such a strong and complex female character as the core of Ibu has been a beautiful, nostalgic, and healing process in a way.”
“‘Eve’ subtly depicts how loss, tradition, and prejudice can lead to intergenerational trauma,” Iwana says. “It’s about how violent secrets can affect a family unit when they keep each other apart. ‘Eve’ focuses on the main character, Tash, who strives to escape that trauma, but it catches up with her.”
Breaking the cycle isn’t always smooth or perfect. “Her desperation to break that cycle actually puts her in a position she would like to avoid, which is a flawed but relatable human experience,” she says. “Breaking the cycle isn’t always smooth or perfect, but the journey of giving yourself grace is a beautiful one. Ultimately, ‘Ibu’ shows different textures focused on the same thing: the desire to be loved.”
Producer Rice added, “I started Feed You Films with my producing partner Kristin Woods to support the debut films of experienced directors with skill and vision, but who had not yet been given the support or resources to make their first feature. Kanya Ivana is exactly the kind of filmmaker we founded this company for.”
Rice was first introduced to char through her work as a photographer and commercial director. “She displayed an extraordinary aesthetic and a soulful cinematic eye,” he says. “But it wasn’t until I read her script for Ibu that I really understood the scope of her talent. I was captivated by the honesty and emotional precision of her script.”
To validate this vision, Feed You Films created a proof-of-concept short film titled “Home.” “Kanya has once again exceeded all expectations,” says Rice. “She arrived on set prepared and purposeful, and was in complete command of the set, taking all the necessary shots without wasting time or resources on unnecessary coverage. She led her mostly female crew with sensitivity, kindness, and complete clarity, and everyone on set rallied around her vision.”
In the JAFF market, the team’s top priority is securing the remaining production capital to greenlight the film. “The JAFF Future Projects program is uniquely positioned to connect investors and filmmakers who want to understand Southeast Asia’s stories and champion bold new voices,” say the filmmakers.
We are also looking for distribution and sales partners who understand both the Indonesian market and the international arthouse space. “As the only US-based filmmaker selected for the Future Projects program this year, it is essential for us to participate in the Indonesian film community,” they say. “This film can only succeed as a true cross-cultural collaboration.”
The JAFF Future Project is designed to serve as a development platform and co-creation hub, advancing independent works towards completion and distribution. The initiative will run 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.
