Sugar Mill

Sugar factory is kkn in the village of dancers but only different title and different setting place, this film has a trash plot but it is replaced by the music scoring and cinematography that spoils the eye but that does not guarantee that this film will be a good film, to hell with the character development everything is bland in this film, the jumpscare does not occasionally make me surprised and is just ordinary, maybe this is the 2nd worst film on Eid yesterday. I don't know what the writer of the story in this film was thinking, the purpose of this film is only money milking but this is still better than most trashy horror films in Indonesia, maybe I think this film can still be enjoyed by ordinary people and so on but this is not a quality horror film.

Some critics seem to be blindly judging this film without knowing the reasons and why it was made. It is clear that this film is based on true events,which happened in the sugar factory. And some people don't like the way the story goes. How can people change the true story? The main key to making this film is to retell what happened rather than changing the storyline to make it more interesting. To be honest, this film has very good quality, in terms of the storyline I don't care, because it's a true story. I like his jumpscare the most, very effective, even the ghost faces are scary, and a very good experienced. The audio visual is good.

Pabrik Gula boldly brings local folklore to the screen, offering a horror story that feels relatable and grounded for Indonesian audiences. While it shares a similar tone with KKN di Desa Penari, it doesn't merely follow a trend-instead, it presents a storyline and message that are easy to grasp. At its core, this film isn't just about scares, but about the power of human goodness. It reminds us that supernatural beings aren't always enemies-they can be challenged by acts of kindness and even coexist with humans when mutual respect is upheld.

What's commendable is the film's clear audience segmentation: rated 17+ for the regular version and 21+ for the uncut. This responsible decision is rare in local horror films and serves as a healthy guide for viewers to choose based on their age.

Although the film received negative reviews, many of them come off as repetitive and overly critical-more like an agenda than fair analysis. When we look at its craftsmanship, cinematography, strong acting performances, and the way it balances horror, drama, and comedy, Pabrik Gula stands as a complete entertainment package.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a film that combines suspense, cultural identity, and refined execution, Pabrik Gula delivers. It's not just a horror movie-it's an experience that merges spirituality, local wisdom, and cinematic storytelling into one impactful narrative.

Arriving at a remote sugar mill, a group of workers tasked with going through the yearly crop harvest find the series of stories about the plantations' haunted nature coming true when demonic entities are let loose to attack and torment the workers, forcing them to stop the horrific events happening.

Overall, there's quite a lot to like about it. Among the better elements here is a rather strong central storyline that offers a chilling background factor to things while still allowing for a fun look at local culture. With the group arriving at the mill and splitting up to perform various tasks around the facility, the idea of them performing these tasks sets them up to explore the secrets within the plantation. The revelation that the site had multiple accidents in the past, including a catastrophic fire that killed multiple workers who were stuck inside a burning building and that their ghosts are now believed to haunt the grounds of the plantation which adds immensely to the environment of unease and uncertainty that everyone experiences leading into the revelations that come about in the final act. Unleashing hints of returning curses, black magic rituals, a special appeasement ceremony that must be completed so that demonic forces are unable to breach over into our world, and various other bits of supernatural influence, the interjection of this material offers a distinctly unique touch to the action. While initially giving off the idea of a haunting, there's something enticing about delving into something different, which gives this a strong start. That all provides a solid background for this one to delve into some strong supernatural sequences. Starting with the unease displayed once the group arrives at the plantation and is subjected to the conditions expected of them, there's a slow increase in tension as they stay there, which helps the atmosphere tremendously. Some of the cheaper scenes, such as the deformed spirits appearing next to victims out of nowhere or eerie voices in the distance whispering, are cheap, but it's the lengthier and more involved sequences that hold it up. A race to get back to the barracks house to avoid being stuck outside with ghosts is a great moment, as is the shamanistic appeasement ritual that goes wrong when the performers are unable to complete the process. This goes along nicely with the final act, where they turn to black magic ceremonies, offering encounters with demonic creatures of indiscriminate size that continually appear alongside more human-sized creations. The darkness of the location, the chaos of everything unfolding at once, and the frenetic action depicted provide plenty of enjoyable factors, giving the film quite a lot to enjoy. There are some issues here that hold it back. One of the main drawbacks is that there's way too much going on, which tends to draw out the running time more than necessary. While it's great to get to know the gang on the plantation, it takes way too much time before the one girl is revealed as the main target of the demons' wrath, since we're looking at these other storylines taking up the main running time. Learning that the extra work done to establish everyone, pounding on the idea of everything happening at the plantation as accidents no one can explain, is much too long to be as effective as it could've been at a shorter rate. That also extends to the finale, where the film has plenty of excessive elements for an extravagant scene, but creates a scattershot approach to possession, black magic, sacrificial rituals, and curses that it becomes hard to figure out what's happening. It has too much happening to make the kind of impression it wanted, causing it to be overlong and bloated. These are the few factors that bring this one down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

"Pabrik Gula" is a cinematic work that not only pleases the eye, but also touches the heart in a very profound way. In an era where commercial films compete with grandiose visual effects or sensational stories, "Pabrik Gula" comes across with a simplicity that thrills. The movie tells the story of the lives of workers in an old sugar factory that dates back to colonial times, taking us on an emotional journey of hard work, solidarity, and the struggle to face the changing times.

Since the first minute, "Pabrik Gula" has managed to create a strong atmosphere. The factory setting with its giant machines rattling quietly, the distinctive aroma of sugar that seems to permeate the screen, and the characters with faces full of fatigue and hope are all presented in great detail. It's not just a backdrop for the story, but an integral part that brings the overall atmosphere of the movie to life. Every detail, from the workers' shabby costumes to the sunlight streaming through the factory roof, shows how much the production team loved this project.

The acting of the cast is also superb. Not a single character feels contrived. They play with honest emotion, as if they are truly living in the world of the factory. We can feel the bitterness in their gazes, the weariness in their steps, and the spirit that slowly wears thin, but never really dies out. These characters remind us that behind every product we consume, there are real people struggling to make it happen.

The story of "Sugar Factory" progresses at a calm pace, but never gets boring. Each scene is carefully crafted, building emotions gradually until it reaches a very moving peak. The movie is not about big action or explosive drama, but rather about an inner journey, about everyday struggles that may seem small, but are actually monumental. The main conflict in the movie is rooted in the changing times that threaten the existence of the factory, and with it, the lives of its workers. But instead of presenting it in an overly dramatic manner, "Pabrik Gula" chooses a more humane and realistic approach.

The cinematography of this movie deserves special praise. The use of natural light, precise framing, and the selection of angles that highlight the beauty in obsolescence all feel very poetic. Each shot is like a living painting that tells its own story. The same goes for the sound; the rumbling of machines, the whispered conversations between workers, the clanking of tools, all form a layer of sound that enriches the viewing experience without feeling intrusive.

One of the biggest strengths of "Sugar Factory" is its ability to evoke empathy. The film never explicitly asks us to sympathize with the characters, but through its honest and simple portrayal, we are compelled to care. We see lives that we may never have considered before, and we learn to appreciate their existence.

In addition, the film also offers reflections on social change and industrialization. It reminds us that modernization is not always good for everyone, and that there are traditional values that we should not simply forget. This theme is delivered in a very subtle yet powerful way, making "Pabrik Gula" feel relevant, no matter when and where we watch it.

Overall, "Sugar Factory" is a loving tribute to the little people who built this world with their hands. It teaches us that in this life of change, we should never forget our roots. A movie that is not only worth watching, but also contemplating and feeling deeply. Without a doubt, I rank "Pabrik Gula" as one of the best local films I've seen in recent years.