Enclave in Indonesia: A Hidden Realm
In the concealed enclave hidden within the well-protected lush landscapes of Indonesia, a deep silence pervades the atmosphere. Like a shroud, the dense vegetation hides the compound from curious onlookers, creating an unsettling calmness. The stillness could be disrupted by subtle movements, such as the gentle rustle of a curtain stirred by an almost imperceptible breeze. The muted commentary from a televised chess match adds an ambient layer of sound, with its unclear murmurs hanging in the air like mysterious whispers. Within this sacred quietude, occasional interruptions break the silence—the sporadic chirping of insects punctuates the air, forming a delicate symphony of nature’s whispers. Nevertheless, the prevailing atmosphere remains one of eerie stillness and tangible anticipation. At the center of this mysterious domain is Rakib, a young caretaker portrayed by Kevin Ardilova, who moves through the shadows with vigilant unease.
Makbul Mubarak’s debut film, Autobiography, unfolds in this dimly lit, ominous realm, drawing parallels to the classic theme of innocence corrupted by power, reminiscent of The Godfather. However, Mubarak infuses the narrative with Conradian undertones, similar to the haunting ambiance of Apocalypse Now. The film goes beyond the influence of Coppola by creating its unique shadows, weaving a tapestry of evocative imprints derived from Indonesia’s tumultuous, genocidal, and terrifying history. As the story develops, Autobiography becomes a skillful exploration of the human psyche against historical trauma. The compound, resembling a spiderweb, seems to wait with a sense of ominous expectancy as if anticipating the return of a long-lost arachnid. Mubarak’s cinematic skill lies in paying tribute to cinematic giants and in conjuring a rich, immersive atmosphere that echoes with the haunting reverberations of Indonesia’s complex past.
A Subtle Transformation
As General Purna, representing the spider, reenters the covert compound, a subtle transformation occurs in the atmosphere. The once-imposing military figure, retired from dictatorship, descends from his high position to enter a new role as a regional mayoral candidate. Rakib, bound by a familial legacy of servitude spanning four generations, finds himself at the intersection of power and servitude, now tasked with chauffeuring and tending to the general’s needs. Initially faced with dismissiveness and impatience, Rakib transforms into the obedient, dog-like companion Purna expects. However, a shift occurs in their dynamic, and an unexpected connection develops. Despite Rakib’s initial disdain, he sees Purna as a surrogate father figure, perhaps fueled by the sharp contrast in power and influence between Purna and Rakib’s incarcerated and seemingly hopeless father.
As the narrative unfolds, Purna takes on the role of a mentor and paternal figure for Rakib. The general’s approving demeanor, reminiscent of someone surrounded by self-portraits, reinforces the idea that Rakib is entering a lineage of power, albeit in a different context. This transformation becomes tangible as Rakib dons the military jacket provided by Purna, symbolizing not only a change in attire but a symbolic embrace of authority and a willingness to align with the general’s influence. The once-still and anticipatory compound now hums with newfound energy, charged with the intricate interplay of power, loyalty, and the complex dance between past and present. As Purna assumes roles as a political candidate and influential figure in Rakib’s life, the connections within the compound become more intricate, weaving a narrative that goes beyond mere servitude, exploring realms of identity, influence, and the tangled webs of familial history.
Unfolding Power Dynamics
In the cocoon of their evenings, the television screen’s glow casts a pallor over General Purna and Rakib as they engage in a chess game, their strategic moves reflecting the unfolding power dynamics in their lives. Purna, a proponent of harmful philosophies, imparts fragments of his corrosive worldview to Rakib, who eagerly absorbs them, soaking up the ideology like a sponge saturated with poison. The chessboard becomes a metaphorical battleground, mirroring the machinations of their upcoming days. During their busy daylight hours, the duo navigates the makeshift campaign trail, participating in the deceptive rituals of political campaigning. Posters are erected, speeches are delivered, and the general, disdainful of the democratic facade, proposes a controversial plan to build an energy plant. However, this ambitious project comes at the expense of displacing local inhabitants from their modest landholdings. The specter of fear looms large, stifling dissent among the populace and creating an environment where voices are silenced, and grievances go unnoticed.
As the campaign gains momentum, a subtle undercurrent of rebellion surfaces when one of Purna’s posters is defaced. Empowered by his newfound proximity to power and buoyed by the belief that the general, despite his imperiousness, is not inherently cruel, Rakib takes it upon himself to find the culprit. In a gesture reminiscent of a cat bringing a captured bird to its master, Rakib presents the offender to the general, anticipating a stern reprimand or a lesson in authority. However, what unfolds is a jarring revelation for Rakib—a sharp and shocking lesson in the ruthless and abject depravity that lurks beneath his employer’s veneer. The encounter with Purna’s merciless response serves as a brutal awakening, shattering the illusions of camaraderie and paternalism that had begun to form in Rakib’s mind. The once-sanctuary compound becomes a crucible of harsh realities, where the interplay of power and cruelty leaves an indelible mark on Rakib’s perception, compelling him to confront the darkness that shadows the corridors of influence and authority.
Dynamic Duo: Swara and Ardilova’s Outstanding Performances
While Autobiography features expansive crowd scenes and a diverse supporting cast, its essence lies in a compelling two-person dynamic skillfully brought to life by the outstanding performances of Arswendy Bening Swara and Kevin Ardilova. Swara, recently acclaimed for his role in Kamila Andini’s Before, Now, and Then, infuses vitality into the character of Purna, whose intense gaze and lean physique evoke echoes of an Indonesian Col. Kurtz. Swara’s portrayal is a tour de force, seamlessly navigating between moments of malicious madness and disarming geniality, creating a character whose complexity reflects the dualities of power. As envisioned by Swara, Purna’s character chillingly embodies the corrosive influence of absolute power. The ability to effortlessly shift from the facade of a benevolent father figure to the depths of malevolence paints a deeply disturbing portrait. As the film unfolds, these facets converge, leaving the audience with a haunting portrayal of the insidious nature of power and its potential for absolute corruption.
Kevin Ardilova’s depiction of Rakib, a character tasked with psychological aging within the film’s compressed timeframe, is equally compelling. With previous standout performances in Andini’s Yuni and Edwin’s Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash, Ardilova delivers a nuanced performance tracing the evolution of Rakib’s character. From a sullen youth to a cocky sidekick and ultimately a disillusioned, soul-weary penitent, Ardilova captures the essence of a character who undergoes a profound transformation in just a few months. Rakib’s narrative arc becomes a poignant exploration of the toll exacted by proximity to power and the compromises made in the pursuit of influence. As he delves deeper into political machinations alongside Purna, the weight of his choices becomes tangible. The film’s conclusion leaves Ardilova’s character in irreversible introspection, symbolizing the indelible marks left by the corrosive nature of power on the human psyche. Together, Swara and Ardilova transcend Autobiography beyond a mere cinematic experience, delivering a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of power, morality, and the intricate dance between mentor and protégé in the shadowy realms of influence.
Immersing in Moral Ambiguity
The cinematographer, Wojciech Staron, adeptly translates the film’s moral ambiguity into visual language, using layered images to immerse the audience in a world where subtle impediments obscure clarity. Particularly within interiors, Staron’s camera captures characters through grilles, furnishings, or windows, casting diffused reflections that create an atmospheric density mirroring the moral murkiness central to the narrative. While this visual technique is immersive, it occasionally verges on being overpowering, especially in later sequences. The inner turmoil of Rakib and the encroaching claustrophobia might find more resonance through counterpoints, as demonstrated in a scene set in a karaoke parlor—a symbolically charged location in Southeast Asian arthouse cinema. In this vibrant setting, where revelry unfolds against the backdrop of melodies and fluorescent lights, the walls appear to expand, visually contrasting with Rakib’s sense of confinement.
Despite Mubarak’s commendable directorial restraint permeating the film, there are instances where this muted approach risks reducing the drama to a barely audible murmur. The tension, at times, hangs in the air like a suppressed scream, yearning for release that could be achieved through moments of heightened expression. The karaoke scene, with its potential for a dissonant duet or an emotional outburst, is a stark example of how a departure from restraint might amplify the underlying emotional currents. The film discovers its unique voice in the delicate interplay between visual subtlety and narrative expression. Staron’s masterful cinematography, while occasionally overwhelming, weaves a visual tapestry reflecting the complexity of the characters’ moral dilemmas. Mubarak’s directorial choices, though subdued, raise the question of whether, in certain instances, breaking the silence with a resounding howl or the off-key strains of a poignant local pop hit could enhance the drama and resonate more profoundly with the audience, punctuating the moral ambivalence with moments of raw, unbridled emotion.
Navigating Cinema’s Expansive Realm
Within the expansive realm of cinema, Autobiography emerges as a promising and atmospheric debut, deftly navigating genre conventions and embracing a rich cinematic style to shed light on the darkest corners of Indonesia’s recent history. The film paints a convincing yet despairing picture of the enduring legacy of atrocities through Mubarak’s skillful direction and a screenplay devoid of unnecessary embellishments. It serves as a poignant exploration of how the descendants of the Indonesian dictatorship era grapple with their nation’s violent past, ultimately inheriting some of its characteristics at a profound cost to their souls. Without overemphasizing the allegory, Mubarak constructs a narrative that extends beyond the screen, delving into the complexities of confronting a history steeped in brutality. The chess games between Purna, emblematic of the corrupt old guard, and Rakib, representing the new generation, serve as a metaphor that, though imperfect, encapsulates the profoundly unjust terms of engagement inherited by Indonesia’s youth. The struggle becomes palpable as the metaphorical chessboard is dominated by one side that wrote the rules, controls every piece, and owns the board, while the other side can only field a trembling pawn.
As the film progresses, it becomes evident that the chess games are not mere strategic maneuvers on a board; they symbolize the fight for agency, justice, and the right to shape one’s narrative. Mubarak adeptly navigates the intricate terrain of historical trauma, illustrating how the youth, constrained by an unjust system, grapple with the burden of a seemingly insurmountable legacy. The film poses a profound question: Can there truly be a fair game when the rules are dictated by those in power, leaving the younger generation to navigate a playing field fraught with inequity and limited choices? Ultimately, Autobiography transcends its cinematic form to become a potent commentary on the human cost of dealing with a traumatic past and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Mubarak’s directorial finesse and the film’s nuanced exploration of Indonesia’s history leave a lasting impact, prompting audiences to contemplate the enduring consequences of power, generational struggles, and the intricate interplay between past and present.
Bibliography
- Kiang, J. (2022). ‘Autobiography’ Review: Sleek, Sinuous Thriller Delves Into Indonesia’s Heart of Darkness. Variety.
- Latif, A. (2022). Venice Film Festival 2022: ‘Autobiography’ (Orizzonti) | Review. Film Fest Report.
- Merican, S. (2022). How Indonesian Filmmaker Makbul Mubarak Made An Emphatic Debut Film With ‘Autobiography’. Forbes.
- Takla, M. (2022). ‘Autobiography’ review: Makbul Mubarak’s debut feature is a harrowing tale of lust for power and deeply rooted corruption [A-] | Toronto. AwardsWatch.