“Esok Tanpa Ibu” to Compete at Busan International Film Festival 2025

Jakarta-aswinnews.com

The Indonesian film “Esok Tanpa Ibu,” internationally titled “Mothernet,” presented by BASE Entertainment and Beacon Film, has been selected to compete at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) (August 25).

The film, starring Dian Sastrowardoyo, Ringgo Agus Rahman, and Ali Fikry, will compete in the Vision program.
The Vision program at BIFF introduces new works from independent Korean and Asian cinema while discovering and supporting talented directors.

Previously part of “Korean Cinema Today – Vision,” which plays a key role in promoting independent Korean films, this section has now been established as an independent program.

A total of 23 films have been selected for BIFF’s Vision program. Twelve films are selected for the Vision Korea program and 11 films are selected for the Vision Asia program. Esok Tanpa Ibu (Mothernet) was selected for the Vision Asia program.

With the expansion of this program, the awards will also be expanded to provide stronger support for directors from Korea and across Asia.

The Busan International Film Festival is Asia’s largest film festival and has long served as a platform for Asian and international filmmakers to showcase innovative and fresh works. This year’s edition is special as it marks the festival’s 30th anniversary.

The film Esok Tanpa Ibu (Mothernet) follows the story of Rama (Ali Fikry), a headstrong teenager who feels like no one in the world understands him.
The only person he trusts is his mother, his biggest supporter during his turbulent teenage years.

But when tragedy strikes and he loses his mother, Rama must try to live his life alone. Just when he feels completely alone, help arrives unexpectedly:
I-BU, an AI program created by his friend, designed to provide a loving figure like his mother. Amidst his difficulties dealing with his strict father, Rama must learn the meaning of grief and letting go.

The film is directed by Malaysian director Ho Wi-ding, who won the Platform Prize at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival for his third film. He also won the Best New Director Award at the 2010 Golden Horse Awards for his debut feature film.

The script for "Esok Tanpa Ibu" (Tomorrow Without Mother) was written by Gina S. Noer, Diva Apresya, and Melarissa Sjarief, and produced by Shanty Harmayn, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Tanya Yuson, Aoura Lovenson, and Winnie Lau. This film is also an international collaboration between countries that will convey a universal story about family and the fragility of adolescence amidst current global developments.

“The Busan International Film Festival is the perfect platform to premiere Esok Tanpa Ibu, and also serves as a celebration of Asian cinema.

This film is a collaboration between filmmakers across Asia, with a vision that pushes creative boundaries and offers a profound message about the relationship between teenagers and parents,”
said Esok Tanpa Ibu producer Shanty Harmayn.
Producer Dian Sastrowardoyo, who also plays the role of Ibu in the film,
expressed her enthusiasm. This film is a project co-produced by her production house, Beacon Film.

The selection of Esok Tanpa Ibu marks a new chapter in her production house’s journey, as well as the film’s initial journey.

“I would like to thank the Busan International Film Festival for their confidence in this film, and I hope it can bring a fresh perspective to the Asian cinema landscape. Besides being a journey through the production house I founded, Beacon Film, this film will also allow international audiences to see both long-recognized and emerging talents, including Ali Fikry, who I think gave a truly impressive performance,” said Dian Sastrowardoyo.

Follow the latest developments on the film Esok Tanpa Ibu (Mothernet) via the Instagram account @base.id.

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