Ruhiki Helwanayogi’s feature debut, Our Son, whose short film On Friday Noon was screened at the 2020 Locarno Film Festival Open Doors and won the 2021 Locarno Open Doors Award, has been selected as a work in progress for the JAFF Future Project, and is about a childless couple who raise a son after an illicit affair between their households.
The Indonesian film, directed by Helwana Yogi and produced by Iqbal Mohammad Hamdan through his production company Catchlight Pictures in collaboration with Kun Films, is one of 10 Asia-Pacific titles selected for the JAFF Future Project at this year’s JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This project won the Pudding Award for Best Project in Southeast Asia at the 2019 Busan Asian Film School Pitching Project.
“Our Son” is the story of Rita, a 27-year-old bank employee, who reunites with her ex-girlfriend, Sandy, a 29-year-old furniture entrepreneur, after years of separation. Their relationship becomes close again when Rita asks Sandy to furnish her new home. Sandy frequently visits and meets Rita’s husband Bob, who works as a mine employee. Sandy invites his wife Eli to Rita’s house. Both families are under pressure from relatives to have children, and the relationship between Rita and Eli is particularly close.
Rita becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son named Aryo. While Rita and Bob are busy with work, Sandy and Eli often help take care of Ario. Years later, Ario becomes ill and requires a blood transfusion. However, Rita and Bob’s blood types do not match Ario’s, but Sandy’s blood types do. The secret is revealed that Ario is Sandy and Rita’s child.
“‘Our Son’ explores the problems that exist in many Indonesian families, the social pressures that create new problems,” says Helwanayogi. “Unfortunately, these issues are often left unspoken, buried, and end up in a pile of generational issues. For me, it’s important to unravel these layers and talk about it through the medium I know best: film.”
The director wants to convey a message about judgment and personal choice. “Everyone has their own problems and their own choices in life, and we don’t have the right to judge them,” he says.
Producer Hamdan highlighted their long-standing cooperation and the project’s market potential. “Ruki and I have worked together for over 15 years and I have produced almost all of his short films and commercial portfolio,” he says. “I trust in his strong directorial vision and professionalism, both of which are essential qualities as he steps into the industry with this debut film.”
Hamdan believes the film has strong commercial potential. “I also believe ‘Our Son’ has universal themes while being very relevant to local audiences,” he says. “With this combination, we believe this film has strong potential for success in both domestic and international markets.”
At JAFF Market, the team is looking for post-production support and distribution partners. “We want to find a partner who can support us with post-production, especially grading, music and sound,” say the filmmakers. “We are also looking for investors who will strengthen our marketing and have strong connections with domestic exhibitors, festivals and international distributors for global distribution.”
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.
