Capturing the reality in Sumba–not only through the tourism lens–is perhaps one of Tonny Trimarsanto’s intentions when directing One Big Sumba Family (2022). Sumba, behind the glimmering destinations that appeal to the eyes, is a land with a constellation of social and environmental issues that continue to live and reproduce daily. The 80-minute-long screening of One Big Sumba Family in the Indonesia Feature-Length Competition program was held in Institut Français Indonesia (IFI-LIP) Yogyakarta on December 4, 2023, at 16.45 WIB. The film tells the story of a big family dynamic in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, headed by a father, 12 mothers, 52 children, and more than 220 grandchildren.
After the screening, the audience had the opportunity to attend a Q&A session with the filmmakers. Tonny Trimarsanto, the director, and John Badalu, the producer, were present in the audience.
In making One Big Sumba Family (2022), Trimarsanto did in-depth research on the topic he chose to highlight. Produced by John Badalu and Mandy Marahimin, this film finished in 2022. The Q&A session started after the film had finished, revealing the vital things in One Big Sumba Family (2022) with the audience’s enthusiasm to search for answers.
How did the cast’s harmony come about when putting the film together? The roles played seemed very natural.
(Trimarsanto) I do not want to capture Sumba from a tourist’s perspective. I want the audience to see Sumba as it truly is–so there are no judgments in the shooting and storyline. I told them that I came to study and stay for a while. Also, they are used to media exposure and are not afraid of cameras. This became a value that made the creative process easier in making the film. I was even adopted as the 53rd child of Bapak M. D. Raya (audience’s laughter).
In the scene when the car breaks down and there are quarrels between members of the community, do these “coincidental scenes” happen naturally
(Trimarsanto) I positioned myself as the audience–so I needed to consider the portion and placement between montages of information and entertainment. Certainly, all of the incidental events happened naturally. Not to forget, I also made a record of the events that occurred daily there.
Is there a difference between the initial research and the production process?
(Trimarsanto) There was never a script in the shooting process, and the research results do not always align with the documentary shooting process. There will always be new and different things in the field.
What are the major challenges in the making process of this film?
(Trimarsanto) The biggest challenge in this film is certainly securing the funding (audience’s laughter). Other than that, it is important to reassure the crews that they will be alright with the conditions they will face in the field. Not seldom are there events that make the cameramen afraid to live with the local residents.
(Badalu) In an effort to fund this film, we made up a strategy to gain international exposure by pitching to various international institutions. Other than that, we brought a camerawoman to help with the shooting and communication with Martha.
What is the intention and effect of this film?
(Trimarsanto) This film has not yet been screened outside of film festivals. This is the fifth screening in Indonesia, and there is already a plan to hold a screening in Sumba. The main intention of One Big Sumba Family is to open a space for discussion and dialogue about the reality that people encounter in Sumba. A reminder, most of Bapak M. D. Raya’s sons are married to more than one person.
Is there an initiative to make a sequel to this film?
(Badalu) We await the direction and ideas from the director. Much like when Tonny Trimarsanto searched for producers through a short post on Facebook that Mandy and I responded well to. We talked, and here are Mandy and I as the producers.
From the many children and grandchildren, why do you choose to take Martha’s point of view?
(Trimarsanto) There were actually candidates for the main lead. But, Martha has successfully delivered a more objective description of Bapak’s family. Besides, she is also an articulate girl who is open to new ideas, so it was easy for us to communicate with her.
What makes the difference between this film and other mediums?
(Trimarsanto) One Big Sumba Family records the intimacy in a big family through a documentary. We look at their day-to-day lives and have deeper dialogues with them. We also pay attention to montage composition and shooting. Other mediums are media coverages.
Tonny Trimarsanto created One Big Sumba Family (2022) as a genuine film capturing the (very) big family and dynamics in Sumba for what it has. Other than One Big Sumba Family (2022), there are many more documentary films to enjoy in the 2023 Festival Film Dokumenter until December 9, 2023. For more information on the events, visit the 2023 Festival Film Dokumenter at ffd.or.id.
Covered by Tuffahati Athallah on December 4, 2023.
