Director Kamila Andini Channels Anger Into Toronto’s ‘Four Seasons in Java’

Indonesian filmmaker Kamila Andini is set to premiere her latest feature, “Four Seasons in Java,” at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film represents a visceral shift for the director, who describes the emotion driving the narrative as both infuriating and freeing.

“I didn’t think I was that furious, but as I was researching for a script, I wanted to curse a lot,” Andini said. “While the subject is frustrating, I need to express anger as it can also be liberating.”

The story follows Pertiwi, portrayed by Putri Marino, a woman who returns to her hometown after serving a 20-year prison sentence. She had killed a young man in self-defense during an attempted rape. This marks the second collaboration between Andini and Marino, who previously starred in the Netflix hit “Cigarette Girl.” Notably, Marino was cast before filming began, even while the screenplay was still in development.

Preparing for the role required extensive physical training. Andini noted that this project involved more character workshops than any of her previous works. Because the film is set in a fictionalized town with a Western aesthetic, Marino had to master skills ranging from horseback riding and electrical work to hand-to-hand combat.

This premiere marks Andini’s third appearance at TIFF, following her 2017 debut “The Seen and the Unseen” and her 2021 film “Yuni,” which won the Platform Prize and served as Indonesia’s official submission for the Oscars. However, Andini diverged from her usual festival strategy with this release. For “Yuni,” she created a cut specifically for international festivals based on feedback that the original version had too many characters. For “Four Seasons in Java,” she chose to keep the full ensemble intact to authentically depict the vibrant communal spirit of Indonesian society.

To prevent the large cast from appearing visually indistinct to non-Asian audiences, Andini collaborated again with costume designer Hagai Pakan. The team worked to ensure each character possessed a unique visual identity, addressing concerns that Asian characters can sometimes appear similar to North American viewers.

Andini emphasized that international festivals are crucial for Indonesian cinema, which often struggles for visibility in the region. “Indonesia is nobody’s top of mind when it comes to Asian cinema,” she explained. “We’re not even top of mind in Southeast Asia, as Thailand and the Philippines are recognized more.” She added that participating in global markets has become a vital strategy for introducing Indonesian culture and stories to the international industry.

“Four Seasons in Java” will have its world premiere in Toronto before returning to Indonesian theaters on October 8. It is also scheduled to screen at the Busan International Film Festival.