"Iseng (2016)" is a film by Adrian Tang that explores the lives of various characters in Jakarta, a city full of challenges and opportunities. The film consists of several stories that intertwine and converge in unexpected ways, creating a dynamic and engaging narrative. The film has a distinctive style, with its attention to detail, nonlinear structure, and dark humor. The film also offers a unique perspective on Jakarta, portraying it as a vibrant and diverse metropolis that shapes the destinies of its inhabitants.
However, despite the film's technical and artistic merits, I found it difficult to grasp its underlying message and purpose. The film features many well-known actors, but their roles are not fully developed or utilized. The film's conclusion is also surprising, but not in a satisfying way. It seems to lack coherence and closure, leaving the audience with more questions than answers. Perhaps the film is meant to be ambiguous and open-ended, but I felt that it did not deliver a clear or compelling vision.
In this review, I will examine the film's formal techniques and thematic content, and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
The film's formal techniques are impressive and innovative. The cinematography by Yin Ao Hong captures the beauty and chaos of Jakarta, using various angles, movements, and lighting effects. The editing by Troy Chen creates a fast-paced and nonlinear narrative that keeps the audience on their toes. The sound design by Iman Barkah Hudaya and Ferry Faisal Rahman enhances the mood and atmosphere of the film, using diegetic and non-diegetic sounds that complement the visuals.
The film's thematic content is also intriguing and relevant. The film explores various issues that affect Jakarta's inhabitants, such as poverty, corruption, crime, religion, family, love, and identity. The film shows how these issues influence the characters' choices and actions, and how they shape their relationships with each other. The film also challenges the audience's expectations and stereotypes about Jakarta and its people, presenting them as complex and multifaceted individuals who have their own dreams and struggles.
However, the film's formal techniques and thematic content are not well integrated or balanced. The film seems to prioritize style over substance, focusing more on creating a dazzling spectacle than a meaningful story. The film's nonlinear structure and multiple stories make it hard to follow and connect with the characters, who are often introduced and dropped without much development or resolution. The film's conclusion is also abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many loose ends and unanswered questions. The film does not provide a clear or consistent message or purpose for its narrative choices, leaving the audience confused and frustrated.
In conclusion, "Iseng (2016)" is a film that has a lot of potential but fails to fulfill it. The film showcases the director's talent and vision, but also reveals his flaws and limitations. The film is a stunning visual experience but a disappointing narrative one. The film is an ambitious attempt to portray Jakarta's complexity but a superficial one that lacks depth and clarity.
