Basri & Salma in a Never-Ending Comedy
2023 · 15m · Indonesia
Directed by Khozy Rizal
Tones: absurdist, contemplative, darkly comic
A childless married couple who operate a carnival kiddie ride together face mounting family pressure at a reunion, where an explosive confrontation finally reveals why they have not been blessed with a child. The film dissects the sexual and societal expectations placed on Indonesian married life with absurdist humor.
Picked by Margot
The scouts
Cannes-premiered Indonesian carnival short skewering reproductive pressure with deadpan absurdism — that's the rare festival darling whose premise I don't immediately want to gargle bleach to forget. Earned its spot.
The first Indonesian short in Cannes competition is itself a piece of news, and the carnival-kiddie-ride setting deployed for patriarchal critique recalls the formal pungency of Lijo Jose Pellissery or early Edmund Yeo. Sundance plus Cannes plus director's commentary on a Vimeo upload is a serious signal.
First Indonesian short ever in Cannes short film competition, and at 15:08 it's deploying carnival staging to skewer reproductive pressure — that's a director using production design as ideological lens. The exclusive director's commentary in the audio settings is also a craft move.
Reviews
An earnest, potent and surreal portrait of Indonesian toxic society with solid characterizations, sharp commentary and a funny spin on it.
The comments it makes are as pointed as they are realistic and interesting, resulting in a film that thrives on all levels.
Festivals
- Cannes Film Festival 2023, Short Film Palme d'Or (nominated)
- Sundance Film Festival 2024
- Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2024
- Cork International Film Festival 2023, Grand Prix International Short Award
- Palm Springs International ShortFest 2024, Special Mention