Ca-bau-kan (2002) User Reviews

Should've Been Competing for Oscar

[Matt73 · 8/10 · 7 November 2003]

This is the first Indonesian movie ever to be shortlisted for Oscar under foreign language picture category. Too bad it didn't make it to the final nominations list. I've seen this movie and some other nominated foreign movies and I feel that this one should make the list instead of the overrated "Hero".

I bought the VCD because they didn't have it on DVD format. I hope they will release this on DVD just like "Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?".

"Ca-bau-kan" tells a story of a "concubine". It revolves around the Chinese community at that time. The setting and acting are believable, but the ending was a bit abrupt. But still it's better than "Hero", which was nominated just because it's "artistic"!

Nevertheless, "Ca-bau-kan" is one of the best Indonesian movies of all time!

A work of art that represents the beauty of Indonesian's past

[wulfette · 8/10 · 16 February 2005]

I am an Indonesian that has been living abroad all over the world for years. I've heard about this movie but haven't been able to find a copy of it until today.

I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of work everyone has put into this movie. Though the story is very simple the final work left me feeling somewhat attached to this movie (some aspects from the book has been left behind to make it even more simple for the flow of the movie). Without giving spoilers, I can say that though the main theme of this movie is family and love, there are so much more plots inside such as intrigues, mystery, business rivalry, politics, etc.

The sets were beautiful and realistic. Being an avid collector of old 'Batavia' photographs of buildings and people, I can really feel that the movie was taken in those places that I have seen in old photographs... in reality, some sets have to be created from scratch because the original site, though still have intact buildings, are now full of neon signs, electricity poles and advertising posters, etc.

Some 600 pieces of costumes had been created for this movie - giving it a very accurate historical view. Some items used in the movie are real antiques (I knew a guy who owns one of the beds used in the movie!) One of the most interesting aspects is that the movie starts when the main character, Tinung is only a late teen - it ends much later through different period of Indonesian history (Dutch Colonialization, Japanese Invasion, Independence, and through flash back methods: Present times)

Both the main actor and actress (F. Salim and L. Amalia) are perfect for the character, though I think their acting still can be improved with training and experience. R. Tumewu actually shines pretty much as a very believe-able antagonist (he's not even Chinese!) If I'm not mistaken, neither the director, nor the two main actors, have experience in colossal movies such as this, therefore, I have to say that I'm really happy with the result...

I have longed to see a movie that can show the interesting aspect of Chinese heritage in our economy, culture and even some heredity background 'without reserve' (due to our political reasons in the past) and I am happy that this movie could be a start of a new generation of Indonesian-made movie! Thumbs up to Nia Danata (director) and Remy Sylado (author)!

good story but the cast get stuck in old fashioned acting

[tiggerhans · 6/10 · 29 March 2002]

When I saw this movie in the cinema (to confirm I did not watch this on tv and it has never been on tv yet!) i started with high expectations. It seems that finally the Chinese community in Indonesia receives some recognition after being discriminated for ages and still being discriminated in many areas of life in Indonesia today. The movie tells us about a woman who goes back to Indonesia to find out about her parents: who they were , what they did. The movie starts with the worst scene of the whole film...she meets with supposed relatives, a bunch of young actors, full with make-up to make them look old. It is the worst thing of the movie, but luckely it is only for a couple of minutes so we can forget about this asap. The story in itself is interesting: a young prostitute gets saved by one of her customers, a Chinese businesman, to the dislike of many others who see him as a treath for their business. Happiness seems to be found till the moment the man gets arrested for making false banknotes. He escapes later to Thailand, and while his ennemies think he is death, he is preparing to come back and fight the Japanese who occupied Indonesia. But not only his old enemies are there, he also made new enemies and the supposedly happy ending soon becomes a sad ending. At moments, the movie is very interesting, with backflashes in black and white, and the leading actor (Salim) is doing a great job. However, the lack of experiences by the other actors, and the terrible way they articulate everything they say, makes this movie to one of the less interesting movies of the last years made by Indonesians. The book though is very interesting, and it could have been a great movie. However, it is not a bad movie, and at times entertaining and showing us much about Indonesian-Chinese culture and history. if you get a chance, rent the VCD and watch it (it only lasted a short time in the cinema).

good story, worse movie

[ayus · 13 March 2004]

This movie must had been good, or better if it has a better director (who understands old Javanese language's dialect and can choose which scene is which), much much better actors (once again who are at least convincing as chinese-Javanese-Indonesian who lived on those period), a better script writer.

the ones who doesn't understand Javanese language might think it's okay, but all the dialect and wording are mostly wrong and too modern (they should have better reaserach on it). the main actor even can't give a real impression as a Chinese who also speaks 30's Javanese language.

I've read the novel and it's much much better than the movie, even I can say that the movie can't capture the novel at all.

the only things that help is the costume and the cinematography.

so if they say it should be on the Oscar's line, well they are mistaken. this is not that good, even some of us can't bare when watch it on TV, but I do praise the spirit of making it.

Surprisingly beautifull

[artemiofranchi · 2 March 2003]

This is one of the highest rated Indonesian movie in recent year (or all time). Some said is was the first ever Indonesian movie to pass the first stage of Academy Award foreign language movie category selection. The story is supposedly a flashback of a Indonesian women adopted by a Dutch family live in Holland, she come back to Indonesia to find out everything about her biological parents. But the story line rather confusing, making audience cant really follow the flow of the story. not a good job in the editing room i would say. The main attraction in this picture is the art direction. the photography is surprisingly beautifull. I'm not sure about the budget but the way they create Indonesia in the early 30's till the 60's is amazing. I can't help but keep asking myself where did they find the old train. The acting is not spectacular but is above average. The film run too long and it make viewing boring in some part, but overall is was a decent piece of movie.