Reality, Love and Rock’n Roll

Upi's 2006 Indonesian film follows three high school friends. They want to be rock stars, and the situation at home keeps cutting across it. The film starts as teen comedy and turns steadily into a family story. One boy's father expects a wholly different life from him, another has lost his relationship with his mother; the narrative takes their outsized behaviour seriously. It is early work for Vino G. Bastian and Herjunot Ali. The tone is fast and the music heavy. The close leans toward reconciliation. Who it's for: those who like Indonesian youth cinema and music-driven films. Who it's not for: viewers expecting a serious family drama; the film shifts tone often.