Written and directed by Makbul Mubarak, The movie follows Rakib (Kevin Ardilova) who serves as a housekeeper and assistant to a retired general Purnawinata (Arswendy Bening Swara). When Purna returns home to start his mayoral election campaign, Rakib bonds with him and defends him when his campaign is vandalized, setting off a chain of violence.
Autobiography is Makbul Mubarak's debut as a writer/director for a feature film, his previous works are mostly short films. This movie caught my attention when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival and got a standing ovation for almost 5 minutes. I don't think I remember having this weird feeling after watching a drama movie that's actually straightforward yet slaps you with an issue within our very society in the past and present, and possibly happened in other countries as well. Which are an abuse of power from powerful people who commonly have the highest occupation in certain fields of work. The performances of the two leading actors Kevin Ardilova and Arswendy Bening Swara are the true highlights of the movie. I am always terrified by Purna's onscreen presence even when he's not talking, that just shows you how one's reputation preceded himself and can suddenly affect other man's perception even after knowing him for a long period.
The cinematography is solid and modest, the visual tone is gloomy and they use close-ups and gritty handheld camerawork to help keep the suspense throughout the movie, especially in that one scene when Rakib is trying to flee from Purna and the house.
Autobiography is Makbul Mubarak's debut as a writer/director for a feature film, his previous works are mostly short films. This movie caught my attention when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival and got a standing ovation for almost 5 minutes. I don't think I remember having this weird feeling after watching a drama movie that's actually straightforward yet slaps you with an issue within our very society in the past and present, and possibly happened in other countries as well. Which are an abuse of power from powerful people who commonly have the highest occupation in certain fields of work. The performances of the two leading actors Kevin Ardilova and Arswendy Bening Swara are the true highlights of the movie. I am always terrified by Purna's onscreen presence even when he's not talking, that just shows you how one's reputation preceded himself and can suddenly affect other man's perception even after knowing him for a long period.
The cinematography is solid and modest, the visual tone is gloomy and they use close-ups and gritty handheld camerawork to help keep the suspense throughout the movie, especially in that one scene when Rakib is trying to flee from Purna and the house.