99 Lights Over Europe, screening as part of the ninth Indonesian Film Festival at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, provides a new perspective of the Muslim-majority; against extremism and radicalism, personal and cultural values are positioned alongside evidently increasing religious tensions within a secular Europe.
Directed by Guntur Soeharjanto, the film is adapted from the Indonesian best-selling novel of the same name written by Hanum Salsabiela Rais and her husband, Rangga Almahendra. 99 Lights Over Europe portrays their life coming from Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, to Vienna, where they live as a minority. This presents some incredibly interesting aspects on the history of Islam within Austria, and across Europe.
In the movie, Hanum (Acha Septriasa), meets Fatma (Raline Shah) a Turkish woman she meets in a German language class; quickly the pair become close friends, as Fatma begins to introduce to Hanum the Islamic history across and throughout Europe. Fatma, while playing a supporting role, shines within the movie; the story is really centered around her. At the same time, Rangga (Abimana Aryasatya) struggles to adjust to his own new way of life, finding it hard to find halal food, or adequate praying space.
Both husband and wife are exposed to new ideas, as they hold onto trying to find a place in which they belong, even in such a foreign environment. This collective European conscience either clashes or expands upon their Indonesian culture and Muslim faith, and highlights their journey in exploring Islamic cultural heritage in Austria, and France.
This film sheds light on the Muslim religion in a way that reflects the overwhelming majority that practice the faith; it is about peace, love, acceptance, and tolerance through difference. Dealing with issues such as intolerance over faith, and cultural identity and history, connections between people of all ages, religions, people, races, nationalities, countries, and languages are strengthened.
Something very unique to this film is that conflict is not expressed as necessarily erroneous, rather they are methods of growth; this is something that shown in either one of two ways. The first source of contention is presented on a more individual and personal level; questions and reflection based upon strength of faith, honesty and integrity in the face of adversity are integral to the significant character development.
The second, more overarching theme, is a clash of ideals of which are borne from ignorance and cross-cultural misunderstanding; conversely, this highlights the importance of mutual understanding and tolerance for every individual within this diverse, multicultural world in which we all live in. As we experience more, through meeting new people, we become to understand more about ourselves; we become to understand what is significant and important in this world we live in through embracing diversity and differences.
While race and religion play a major role within the film, language and communication also play an increasingly interesting aspect; conversation and dialogue is a capitivating and amusing cultural mixing pot of Indonesian, Arabic, German and English, with a small bit of French added in for good measure, and sometimes all within the one single utterance.
The film is beautifully pieced together; stunning shots in a wide-screen format, carefully precise editing, exquisite use of warm lighting, with the addition of beautiful scenery, full-orchestral score and a chorus of robust acting. 99 lights is undoubtedly a polished, high-quality piece of cinema that doesn't conform to the stereotypical miss-assumptions of what it may take to make a successful movie in Indonesia - ghosts, guns, and girls.
It is a film that breaks down the boundaries without being too controversial, and since its release earlier this year, over one million people have seen this film in Indonesia alone.
However, half-way through watching this film, one cannot help but wonder if this is just some wonderful, incredibly engaging advertisement for Europe; Filmed primarily in romantic Vienna, the film also features Europe's most well-known and sought after cultural and travel destinations including Paris, Cordoba, and Istanbul. The beauty of each location, and their incredibly rich history, forms a wonderfully lovely celebration of Europe's diverse and rich cultural heritage.
At the end of the film we are given a sneak-peek of part two, of which the final release date is still yet to be finalised. As it stands, the film does feel unfinished: there are a lot of loose ends and unfinished story-lines. Yet, while there may not be a particular resolution, or a defining ending, rarely ever is there such a giant gem of a film that just makes you feel good to be human, in all of our difference and diversity.
99 Lights Over Europe is a delightfully sweet film that touches the importance of sharing and spreading peace, faith, and love. You will undoubtedly leave the cinema feeling a little more optimistic and hopeful about humanity.
Review Score: THREE AND A HALF (OUT OF FIVE)
Running Time: 96 minutes (w/English Subtitles)
Rating: G
99 Lights Over Europe is screening as part of the 9th Indonesian Film Festival. For more information and session times please visit http://iffaustralia.com/