Women from Rote Island is a 2023 Indonesian drama film written and directed by Jeremias Nyangoen in his feature directorial debut.
The film had its world premiere at the 28th Busan International Film Festival on 7 October 2023. It received four awards at the 2023 Indonesian Film Festival, including Best Picture and Best Director for Nyangoen. It was selected as the Indonesian submission for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.
Premise Martha, an illegal migrant worker, comes back to her hometown in Rote Island to attend her father's funeral. Meanwhile, she has to deal with her own trauma after experiencing sexual violence in her workplace.
Cast Linda Adoe as Orpa Irma Rihi as Martha Sallum Ratu Ke as Bertha Van Jhoov as Damar
Production Casting Nyangoen revealed that he only cast local actors of Rote Island and around East Nusa Tenggara in order to preserve the distinctive accent of the Rote language and capture the essence of the region.
Release Women from Rote Island had its world premiere at the 28th Busan International Film Festival on 7 October 2023 as a part of the A Window on Asian Cinema program. It also is set to screen at the 2023 Jakarta Film Week.
Accolades Award / Film Festival Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Asian Film Festival Barcelona25 October - 5 November 2023NETPAC AwardWomen from Rote IslandJakarta Film Week 29 October 2023 Direction Award Women from Rote Island Indonesian Film Festival14 November 2023 Best Picture Rizka Shakira Best Director Jeremias Nyangoen Best Original Screenplay Jeremias Nyangoen Best Cinematography Joseph Christoforus Fofid Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival2 December 2023 JAFF Indonesian Screen Award – Best Performance Irma Rihi JAFF Indonesian Screen Award – Best Cinematography Joseph Christoforus Fofid Film Pilihan Tempo29 January 2024 Film Pilihan Tempo Women from Rote Island Best Director Jeremias Nyangoen Best Screenplay Jeremias Nyangoen Best Actress Linda Adoe Best Supporting Actress Irma Rihi
See also List of submissions to the 97th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film List of Indonesian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
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