At an Islamic school in Yogyakarta, all the adult students are transgender. Here, they can live the way they choose to—it’s a stark contrast with the hostile world outside. Despite the threats, they cheerfully go on with their work.
Tonny Trimarsanto
Tonny Trimarsanto finished his study in political science and got his master degree in film study. His works including Serambi, Renita Renita, Mangga Golek Matang di Pohon, Berjalan ke Barat, Di Ujung Jalan, Doa Terakhir, Sungai, and Suatu Hari Nanti. One of his works, Bulu Mata, is awarded as Best Documentary Feature in Festival Film Indonesia. Since 2002, he founded Rumah Dokumenter.
John Badalu
John Badalu has been working in the film industry for more than 20 years. He has worked for A-list festivals like Berlin, Shanghai, and Bifan as a Film Delegate. He is also the co-founder of a queer and human rights Q! Film Festival in Indonesia in 2002-2016. As an independent producer, he has produced some award-winning films that premiered in Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Locarno, and Rotterdam. Badalu received the Ashoka fellowship from Ashoka Foundation as one of the progressive changemakers.
Let me add a slight personal touch to this review. This is the author’s fourth year writing for Festival Film Dokumenter (FFD). When asked why I keep coming back to FFD, the answer is simple: it makes me ‘smarter’. Smarter in the sense that it opens my eyes and heart to empathize with the wider…
