Andragogy (film) explained

Native Name:
Director:Wregas Bhanuteja
Cinematography:Gunnar Nimpuno
Editing:Ahmad Yuniardi
Music:Yennu Ariendra
Runtime:110 minutes
Country:
  • Indonesia
  • Singapore
Language:
  • Indonesian
  • Javanese

Andragogy (Indonesian: Budi Pekerti,) is a 2023 drama film written and directed by Wregas Bhanuteja. The film stars Sha Ine Febriyanti as a school teacher whose reputation and career prospects get jeopardized after a video of her altercation with a line-cutter goes viral.

Andragogy had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on 9 September 2023. The film garnered seventeen nominations at the 2023 Indonesian Film Festival, including Best Picture, and it won two awards for Best Actress (Febriyanti) and Best Supporting Actress (Latuconsina).

Plot

Prani Siswoyo is a teacher and principal candidate in Pengemban Utama Secondary School, Yogyakarta, revered for her engaging way of disciplining students. She lives with Didit Wibowo, her husband diagnosed with major depressive disorder due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; Tita, her daughter who works at a thrift shop and does social activism; and Muklas, her social media influencer son earning money from brand endorsements.

One day, while queueing at a market, Prani confronts a man who forces a queuer to help him cut the line. The man's denial enrages her, leading to a bystander recording her saying "Ah suwi", meaning "Too long" in Javanese. The video goes viral as many mistook her as saying "Asu", a Javanese slur meaning "Dog." The school directorate, while acknowledging the misperception, is concerned about Prani's seeming anger issue and schedules a psychotest. She then posts a clarification video, despite the school director urging her to only clarify to those who ask her.

When asked regarding Prani, Muklas claims she is not her mother, causing netizens to condemn him. The market man later posts a video slamming Prani for revealing his identity online. The school director warns to not do anything that can jeopardize the school's reputation. Upon Muklas' suggestion, Prani's former students post videos testifying to her disciplining as crucial to their maturation. However, a video by Gora recalling Prani telling him to dig graves sparked a wave of condemnations by psychiatrists.

Didit reaches out to his psychiatrist Tunggul, who also happens to be Gora's psychiatrist. She delays Gora's appointment so that he and Prani can meet and talk. He brushes off the viral diagnoses as false and clarifies that he is merely seeking guidance on his normalization of living around graveyards, which is harmless but abnormal to others. However, he does not consent to making public clarification. Prani also decides to resign as she and her family plans to move to Salatiga as Didit plans to start a new business. Her students come to salute and send her home as a farewell.

Cast

Production

Development

After his debut feature film Photocopier in 2021, Bhanuteja began researching for his upcoming project and found many cyberbullying cases.[1] He stated that he was inspired by the numerous cases of cyberbullying which frequently stemmed from viral videos.[2] In October 2022, Singaporean film production company Momo Film boarded the project, announced it during the Busan Asian Contents and Film Market.[3]

Filming

Principal photography took place between November and December 2022 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.[4] The selection of Yogyakarta as the backdrop for the story is intricately connected to Bhanuteja's personal background and roots in the city. Set against the backdrop of Yogyakarta, the film incorporates a balanced use of both Javanese and Indonesian languages in its dialogues, reflecting the depiction of everyday life and activities in both casual and formal settings.[5]

Release

Andragogy had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival during the Discovery program on 9 September.[6] It was selected as the opening film for 2023 Jakarta Film Week, scheduled for 25 October.[7] The film also screened at the inaugural edition of SXSW Sydney 2023.[8] Andragogy was released in Indonesian theaters on 2 November 2023[9] and on Netflix on 21 March 2024.[10]

Accolades

Award / Film FestivalDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)Result
Indonesian Film Festival14 November 2023Best PictureAdi Ekatama, Willawati, Ridla An-Nuur, and Nurita Anandia[11]
Best DirectorWregas Bhanuteja
Best ActorAngga Yunanda
Best ActressSha Ine Febriyanti
Best Supporting ActorDwi Sasono
Omara Esteghlal
Best Supporting ActressPrilly Latuconsina
Best Original ScreenplayWregas Bhanuteja
Best CinematographyGunnar Nimpuno
Best Film EditingAhmad Yuniardi
Best Visual EffectsStefanus Binawan Utama
Best SoundSutrisno and Satrio Budiono
Best Theme SongGardika Gigih for "Dan Hujan"
Best Original ScoreYennu Ariendra
Best Art DirectionDita Gambiro
Best Costume DesignFadillah Putri Yunidar
Best MakeupAstrid Sambudiono
International Film Festival of India28 November 2023IFFI Best Film AwardAndragogy[12]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival17 February 2024Jeffrey C. Barbakow Award – Best International Feature Film[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sinopsis Film Budi Pekerti, Angkat Isu Dahsyatnya Dampak Media Sosial. 11 September 2023. 16 October 2023. Riyasti. C.R.. Akurat. Synopsis of the film Andragogy, addressing the powerful impact of social media.
  2. Web site: Wregas Bhanuteja Ungkap Inspirasi di Balik Film Budi Pekerti. Kompas. 5 August 2023. 16 October 2023. Ady Prawira. Riandi. Andi Muttya Keteng. Pangerang.
  3. Web site: Singapore's Momo Boards 'Andragogy,' 'A Useful Ghost,' 'Dreaming & Dying'; 'Don't Cry, Butterfly' Finds U.K. Funding – Busan ACFM (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. 8 October 2022. 16 October 2023. Naman. Ramachandran.
  4. Web site: Dibintangi Pemain Berbakat, Film Budi Pekerti Syuting di Jogjakarta. Jawa Pos. 19 November 2022. 16 October 2023. Mohamad Nur. Asikin. Starring talented cast, Andragogy is filming in Yogyakarta.
  5. Web site: Wregas Bikin Pemain Budi Pekerti Belajar Bahasa dan Aksara Jawa. CNN Indonesia. 7 August 2023. 16 October 2023. Wregas encourages Andragogy cast to learn Javanese language and script.
  6. Web site: TIFF Unveils Cinematic First Looks With Discovery And Midnight Madness Program; World Premieres Include 'Hell Of A Summer,' 'Gonzo Girl,' 'Widow Clicquot,' And 'Boy Kills World'. Deadline Hollywood. 3 August 2023. 16 October 2023. Valerie. Complex.
  7. Web site: Jakarta Film Week – Opening Film 2023. 24 September 2023. 16 October 2023.
  8. Web site: SXSW Sydney: full screen program 2023. ScreenHub. 21 September 2023. 16 October 2023. Paul. Dalgarno.
  9. Web site: Budi Pekerti, Film Terbaru Wregas Tayang di Bioskop 2 November 2023. CNN Indonesia. 2 October 2023. 16 October 2023. Andragogy, Wregas' Latest Film, to be Released in Theaters on November 2, 2023.
  10. Web site: Fathurrozak . Cerita Budi Pekerti Film Tentang Guru BK yang Menang Piala Citra FFI Kini Tayang di Netflix . 2024-04-27 . mediaindonesia.com . id.
  11. Web site: Daftar Lengkap Nominasi Piala Citra FFI 2023. Complete list of 2023 Citra Awards Indonesian Film Festival nominations. CNN Indonesia. 14 October 2023. 16 October 2023.
  12. News: 54th International Film Festival of India to be held from 20th to 28th November in Goa . 6 November 2023. 22 November 2023. PIB . press release.
  13. News: ‘TransMexico,’ ‘Edge of Everything,’ ‘Andragogy’ Among Santa Barbara Film Festival Winners. Diego Ramos Bechara . Variety. February 17, 2024 . February 19, 2024 . en.