The Forbidden Door
The Forbidden Door (Indonesian: Pintu Terlarang) is a 2009 Indonesian psychological thriller film written and directed by Joko Anwar based on Sekar Ayu Asmara's novel of the same name. Despite disappointing box office receipts in Indonesia, the film won rave reviews internationally, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it a film that "would make [Alfred] Hitchcock and [Pedro] Almodóvar proud."[1]
| The Forbidden Door | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Pintu Terlarang | |
| Directed by | Joko Anwar |
| Produced by | Sheila Timothy |
| Written by | Joko Anwar |
| Based on | Pintu Terlarang by Sekar Ayu Asmara |
| Starring | Fachri Albar Marsha Timothy |
| Music by | Aghi Narottama Bembi Gusti Gascoro Ramondo Zeke Khaseli |
| Cinematography | Ipung Rachmat Syaiful |
| Edited by | Wawan I. Wibowo |
Production company | Lifelike Pictures |
| Distributed by | Lifelike Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Language | Indonesian |
| Budget | Rp 2 billion |
Synopsis
The life of a successful sculptor is turned upside down when he begins receiving mysterious messages from someone who asks for his help.
Cast
- Fachri Albar as Gambir
- Marsha Timothy as Talyda/Ranti
- Ario Bayu as Dandung
- Otto Djauhari as Rio
- Tio Pakusadewo as Koh Jimmy
- Henidar Amroe as Menik Sasongko
- Arswendi Nasution as the man at abortion clinic
- Atiqah Hasiholan as Claudia/Receptionist
- Rio Dewanto as the man at church
- Verdi Solaiman as John Wongso
- James Awuy as mysterious little boy
- Putri Sukardi as Mom
- Ade Firza Paloh as Dad
- Kartika Jahja as Mona
Directors Timo Tjahjanto and Kimo Stamboel, collectively known as The Mo Brothers, made cameo appearances as patrons of the art gallery Herosase while costume designer Isabelle Patrice appeared briefly as a doctor at the abortion clinic.
Production
The film is Anwar's third feature releases following 2005's Joni's Promise and 2007's Dead Time: Kala. According to Anwar, while the story is based on an existing material, he added elements of his own into the screenplay by touching on his personal disdain of people who conceive children to conform to society's expectations without any real plans.[2]
Soundtrack
| The Forbidden Door (soundtrack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Soundtrack album by Various Artists | |
| Released | 2009 |
| Genre | Pop, rock, jazz |
The film's original soundtrack consists of 18 tracks divided into two parts: part one consisting of songs performed by various bands and part two consisting of the film's score composed by Aghi Narottama, Bembi Gusti, Gascaro Ramondo, and Zeke Khaseli.[3]
Part One
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Why" | Mantra | |
| 2. | "Nancy Bird" | Sore | |
| 3. | "Please Operator Please" | Mantra | |
| 4. | "Home Safe" | Tika and The Dissidents | |
| 5. | "Baby Baby" | Mantra | |
| 6. | "Jiro" | Notturno | |
| 7. | "Blessed the Tainted Heart" | Mantra | |
| 8. | "Lullaby Blues" | Sore featuring Tilly of The Checkins | |
| 9. | "Merry Mist" | Alfred Ayal |
Part Two
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Opening Tune" | |
| 2. | "The Color Purple" | |
| 3. | "Innocent Blood" | |
| 4. | "Dirty Work" | |
| 5. | "Naked Truth" | |
| 6. | "Blood Opus" | |
| 7. | "Chasing the Kid" | |
| 8. | "The Eye" | |
| 9. | "Pig-Headed Hero" |
Release
The film was released on January 22, 2009 in Indonesia followed by screenings at several international film festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Toronto After Dark Film Festival, Sitges Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and Jakarta International Film Festival.[4]
Reception
The Forbidden Door received widespread acclaim from critics.
Calling it a film that would make "would make [Alfred] Hitchcock and [Pedro] Almodóvar proud", Maggie Lee of The Hollywood Reporter named The Forbidden Door "the most polished genre film of its kind in recent Indonesian cinema".[1] The New York Asian Film Festival's website described the film as a "19th century gothic novel adapted by Alfred Hitchcock and directed by David Lynch", calling it "one of the sickest, kinkiest movies".[5]
John Leal of Bloody Disgusting rated the film 8 out of 10 and wrote that the film "is a highly recommended Indonesian effort whose storyline gives us a very unique experience that comes well written and with plenty of horror to offset and in fact complement the drama. Anwar’s direction is equally amazing, giving us a full-frontal approach to the well-executed horror sequences that set this film apart from most of what I have seen in recent time."[6]
Similarly, Twitch Film's Ard Vijn also praised the film, noting that "Anwar wants to keep his movies accessible for the general public while telling them an outrageous story at the same time, and like with Kala it's amazing how well he succeeds.[7] He also noted that the 4 out of 5 stars audience rating the film received during its screening at the International Film Festival Rotterdam indicates that "maybe people are used to a lot more gore than I expected."[7]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Bangkok International Film Festival | Golden Kinnaree Award | Joko Anwar | Nominated |
| 2009 | 29th Citra Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Nominated | |
| Best Editing | Wawan I. Wibowo | Won | ||
| Best Cinematography | Ipung Rachmat Syaiful | Won | ||
| 2009 | Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival | Best of Bucheon | Joko Anwar | Won |
| 2010 | KasKus untuk Film Indonesia | Best Film | The Forbidden Door | Won |
| Best Director | Joko Anwar | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Fachri Albar | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay | Joko Anwar | Won | ||
References
- "The Forbidden Door -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
- Djaya, Andi Baso. "Joko Anwar: Saya sudah setengah mati kejar-kejar proyek itu". Lokadata.ID (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-02-07.
- Forbidden Door Soundtrack. deathrockstar.info. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
- The Forbidden Door (2009) - IMDb, retrieved 2021-02-07
- Guillen, Michael (2010-02-17). "SFIAAFF28: THE FORBIDDEN DOOR (PINTU TERLARANG, 2009): The Twitch Round-up". Twitch Film. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
- John Leal (2009) Forbidden Door review Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- Vijn, Ard. February 05, 2009. Forbidden Door Conclusion. Twitch Film. Retrieved February 10, 2012.