TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hanung Bramantyos recent film, Kartini, will be among 12 films competing at Eurasia International Film Festival (EIFF) 2017 to be held in Kazakhstan.

EIFF 2017 programmer Philip Cheah said that the message conveyed by Kartini is relevant to the current condition. The film highlights equal rights for women amid efforts sought by fundamentalists who are against the idea.

According to Hanung, Kartini is a woman used as a political symbol and commodity.

“Therefore, through this film, I want to restore Kartini as a regular woman, just like my mother, my wife, and my daughter,” Hanung said in a press release on Thursday, July 13, 2017.

Producer and Asian Shadows founder Isablle Glacant praised the film. Isabelle believes that Kartini is able to feature an Indonesian woman with a strong character.

Philip said that Kartini’s success was also thanks to the actors and actresses, such as Dian Sastrowardoyo, Acha Septriasa, Ayushita, Christine Hakim, Deddy Soetomo, Hasmi and others.

In addition, Kartini which is categorized as a mainstream movie can be appreciated in a film festival. “To me, there’s no such thing as mainstream and non-mainstream film. As long as a film is made honestly, it will be well-appreciated,” Hanung said.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI