Synopsis
Closing the grand march of 2007 PiFAN, JOKO Anwar, a new star in the filmdom of Indonesia, presents . In a no-name city, the gruff detective Eros assumed a case where an incendiary fire set up by a crime ring killed 5 lives. On the other hand, every day is hell for the reporter Janus who suffers from somnolence. He got a dismissal notice at his work and is in for one more from his wife. Janus comes across a clue leading up to the fire by accident and shudders at the fact that they who have told him the clue are killed one by one. Mired in the same case, Eros and Janus come to know that far more serous conspiracy and secret are looming behind the seemingly simple incendiary fire case. is the 2nd work of JOKO Anwar who debuted successfully with a lively comedy . As a former scenario writer, he mixes with great balance consistent plot, attractive characters and splendid visuals that he spared in his debut film. Balancing implication of political protest, Indonesia's patriotic legend, distopian sensibility and gorgeous visual style with each other, the film leads viewers to wonder what kind of genius it would take to make such a complete movie at the budget of mere 600 million Korean won. Representing a bold attempt to try noir thriller style, is the best movie of Indonesia in 2007 where horror films inspired by local legends or romantic comedies dominated. Not to mention its brilliant success at box office, the film has gained favorable responses from critics in Indonesia and elsewhere around the world as a hit that has expanded the horizon of the Indonesian movie industry. (PARK Jin Hyung)