What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love (, stylized in all lowercase) is a 2013 Indonesian drama film written and directed by Mouly Surya. The film stars Nicholas Saputra, Ayushita, and Karina Salim as teenagers involved in a complex relationship while dealing with their disabilities.
Plot Diana and Fitri are two visually impaired teenage girls. Diana is myopic, meaning she can see things only an inch in front of her, while Fitri has been blind since birth. They both experience the pangs and yearnings of love, but must transcend their lack of sight to envision it. It's a struggle as they grapple to understand and fathom what they feel through other senses: touch, sound, and movement. Their missteps causing misconceptions are sometimes heartbreaking but both are gifted with a sublime resilience.
Cast Nicholas Saputra as Edo Ayushita as Fitri Karina Salim as Diana Anggun Priambodo as Andhika Lupita Jennifer as Maya Adella Fauzi as Tiara Khiva Iskak as Lukman Tutie Kirana as Diana' mother Anindya Krisna as Reni Jajang C. Noer as Edo's mother
Production Production of the film was funded by grants received from the Gothenburg Film Festival, Asian Project Market of the Busan International Film Festival, and Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Release The film premiered in the World Dramatic Competition category of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, making history as the first Indonesian film to do so. Domestically, it received limited release in May 2013. Throughout 2013, the film was screened at several prestigious film festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Hong Kong International Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival.
Reception
Box office At the time of its domestic release, the film was only shown in 14 theaters and performed poorly at the box office.
Critical response The film received positive reviews from critics. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Duane Byrge called it a "touching and brilliantly envisioned story of a young, nearly blind teen's first love" and singled out Zeke Khaseli's score for highlighting "the character’s emotional struggles." Fransisca Bianca of the Whiteboard Journal wrote "the film truly explores things that are not talked when we talk about love" while praising the film for "its bravery in introducing a new form of romance through its cinematography and unique love story."
Awards and nominations Year Awards Category Recipients ResultsRef.2013Sundance Film FestivalWorld Cinema Grand Jury PrizeWhat They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love 2013International Film Festival Rotterdam Lions Film Award NETPAC Award 2013Cinemanila International Film FestivalLino Brocka Award for Best Film 2013Hong Kong International Film FestivalGolden Firebird AwardMouly Surya FIPRESCI Award 20137th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film FestivalGolden Hanoman Award 2013 33rd Citra Awards Best Supporting Actress Ayushita Best Original Screenplay Mouly Surya 2013 2nd Maya Awards Best Feature FilmWhat They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love Best Director Mouly Surya Best Actress in a Supporting Role Ayushita Best New Actor Anggun Priambodo Best New Actress Karina Salim Best Original Screenplay Mouly Surya Best Cinematography Yunus Pasolang Best Sound Khikmawan Santosa Best Original Score Zeke KhaselliYudhi Arfani 2013Asia-Pacific Film FestivalBest Music 20148th Asian Film AwardsBest Composer 2014Indonesian Film Academy AwardsBest FilmWhat They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love Best DirectorMouly Surya Best Screenplay 2014Las Palmas Film FestivalBest New Director 2014 Indonesian Movie Awards Best Actor Nicholas Saputra Best Actress Ayushita Best New Actress Karina Salim Best Chemistry Nicholas Saputra & Ayushita Favorite Actor Nicholas Saputra Favorite Actress Ayushita Favorite New Actress Karina Salim Favorite Film What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love
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