27 Steps of May

Most media representations of SA survivors always put the spotlight on how the heinous things could even happen in the very first place; the perpetrators' motives, what the victims were doing in their lives (or even weirdly enough, wear) before the incident, and how heartbreaking it is for the family.

Ravi L. Bharwani and Rayya Makarim said otherwise.

This film takes us to look at the aftermath, how much an SA survivor had to endure an upside-down world, and how alienating the experience could be for the people around them. My heart continuously breaks as the film progresses and I don't think I can even bring myself to rewatch this film, but Raihaanun and Lukman Sardi delivered an immense performance for their respective roles.

It is a very important film for Indonesia, where sometimes there's a lack of sensitivity and care on the parts of the authorities, media and public when it comes to handling cases of sexual violence.

Psychologically speaking, it's never easy to revisit traumatic events, especially when you're still under duress. Sometimes our sensitivity can be lacking, because we are not well equipped with understanding traumatic experiences.

This movie is only a first step towards understanding the trauma and recovery process of a sexual assault victim. It made beautifully with the pace and visual symbolism to make the audience perceive the constant tortures that haunted the sexual assault victims.

Hundreds other films should be made after this to complete the journey, so we can stand together to eradicate social violence from our civilization.

This is a rare insanely beautiful gem that stays in your mind for a long time. The visually language and the wonderful yet somewhat ferocious plot creates a really innovative film. I haven't seen anything like it even if a few elements reminds me of Alice in Wonderland.

The acting is superb and I can't believe that this isn't a contender in the Oscars. Yet I would have prefered a different ending, a more ambiguous one and that is the only reason I rate this a 9.

Because of main actress only has few dialogue, it's interesting to know that she is very great expresses her acting into body languange and facial expression in whole of this movie.

It is rare for Indonesian films to make emotionally intense charged story proportionate with delicate pacing. I was cautious hoping the sensibility would not be off balance at some point.

The characters are complicatedly layered, makes for interesting follow through despite the slowness. Both May and helpless kickboxer father repress their pent up frustation for different reason, in their own way. Prolonged trauma for May and self-condemnation for not protecting his daughter for her father. The awkward silence which makes majority of the scenes, are of retained thousand words that find its way into subtle gestures, attentiveness of the two, and well-visualized pattern obsession. I found the dynamic to be a smart play: overall slow pace busted by contrasting intensity between boxing's violence and May's reconciling progress. It did not feel like watching a film and it's a treat to experience that from Indonesian film.

Her mindscape involving magician (which might be real, but otherwise rather surreal) helps her reconcile mid towards end, and it is well handled to not overpower the realistic nature.

The only thing that bothers me would be the last two minutes of ending. The resolution went too abrupt for such intense years of withdrawal. It's a happy ending but almost too rushing to be convincing.

Otherwise it's an absolute brilliance despite the patience required for its delicacy. Long to go for majority of Indonesian audience, but I'm glad it receives warm acceptance in notorious international festival. It's a piece of art. (minus the last two minutes, again.)