User Reviews

Indonesian writer-director Lucky Kuswandi's new film 'In the Absence of the Sun' is a drama which takes place over a single night, intertwining 3 women's experiences in the capital city of Jakarta. The three women share a night out separately, each with their own stories to tell.

Gia (Adinia Wirasti) returns to Jakarta after years of living in New York, nobody knows why she's returned. She meets her old friend Naomi (Marissa Anita), and it soon becomes apparent how alien her home city now has become. Ci Surya (Dayu Wijanto) has lost her husband, and whilst coming to terms with her loss she inadvertently finds more about her husband than she cared to know. Indri (Ina Panggabean) works in a gym and has a date, and has dreams of joining the new moneyed classes created by Jakarta's commercial growth.

Kuswandi spends the first half of the film illustrating the way Jakarta has changed so dramatically, from the smog-infused streets full of cars and motorcycles, to people spending more time glued to their mobiles phones than socialising with each other. The rampant illusion of luxury and lifestyle, where everything is imported, has swarmed on the locals. Gia is astounded how fake and empty everything around her has become, to which Naomi replies "Things get easier when we pretend to be foreigners". She's returned to a city which has quickly lost its identity and soul, the question is has she made a big mistake coming back?

As the night unfolds and things don't go according to plan for any of the women, we start to learn more about their backgrounds and insecurities. All of various ages, each has their own sadness. They want to find their place in a city which is always on the move, to share experiences with someone who loves them for who they are. Each of their stories will resonate with you, Indri's awkward night out was probably the most touching.

'In the Absence of the Sun' is an ode to a capital city on fast-forward, being the most populous city in South-east Asia may create many new opportunities but it also creates just as many new problems. Welcome to Jakarta.

Three stories of strong women in an Asian metropolis. Trouble with traffic, men and diversity are the backdrop for highly individual tales with subtle links. The night starts with the preparations for different kinds of encounters where the anticipation of the viewer gets influenced by the backgrounds (gym receptionist, wife of a late dignitary) of the main characters. As the activities start unfolding, the various back stories and conflictuous relations are laid out. High points are mostly in face-to-face interactions between the main actresses and a prospective boyfriend, a male prostitute or youth culture and its typical fads clashing with a more intimate privacy, offered by many Western cities (e.g. New York City). Finally, the night draws to a close and stories find an end or a new beginning, with the speed and bustle of the city a constant and rich tapestry.