Generasi 90an: Melankolia

Generasi 90an: Melankolia is a thought-provoking and emotional Indonesian movie directed by Mohammad Irfan Ramly, that premiered in 2020. It boasts a talented young cast including Ari Irham, Aghniny Haque, and Taskya Namya, who brilliantly bring the story to life with their captivating performances. The movie widely resonates with the youth or anyone who has experienced young love, and provides a glimpse into the culture and generational ethos of Indonesia in the 1990s.

Generasi 90an: Melankolia primarily revolves around the life of its lead character, Abi, flawlessly portrayed by Ari Irham. As a high school student, he is artistic, sensitive, intelligent, and introverted. The story focuses on Abi's journey through adolescence and his exploration of love and friendship and drives the narrative forward. Ari Irham encapsulates the essence of introverted and passionate youthfulness to a great extent, making Abi relatable and real.

Taskya Namya and Aghniny Haque play the roles of Abi's closest friends, indulging the viewers into the lively dynamics of their friendship. Taskya Namya, as Anya, embodies a quirky and fun-loving character that offers comic relief while rendering substantial support to Abi. Aghniny Haque, playing Zen, complements the lead cast and furthers the themes of friendship and love.

The film is not only about nostalgia for the 90s but also about the turbulent but memorable journey of adolescence marked by confusion, exploration, friendship, first love, and heartbreaks. The plot beautifully captures the sweet chaos and turmoil of the teenage years and the various shades of emotions attached to adulthood, making it not just a movie, but a universal childhood experience.

Moreover, the movie's real strength lies in its heart-touching narration style, showcased through various artists, bands, locations, and props that indulge the '90s kids in melancholic nostalgia. However, the original soundtrack of this film serves as the cherry on top, truly making the movie a feast for the senses.

Generasi 90an: Melankolia draws on the nostalgia that Indonesians feel about the 1990s, a time before the advent of Facebook, Instagram, and smartphones. Playing with real incidents, pop culture references, and relatable characters from that era makes the film a trip down memory lane. It encapsulates the essence of the 90s, making it a treasure trove of memories and experiences for many viewers.

However, the movie does not solely rely on its nostalgia factor. It deals with real, potent issues that 90s kids faced and explores them through Abi. It touches on subjects like the pressure of fitting in, adolescent love, and friendship in a sensitive and fathomable way.

The movie features quaint cinematography and captures the beautiful Indonesian landscape. It appeals visually while also enhancing the story's emotional depth through its artistic interpretation of scenes and characters.

The director, Mohammad Irfan Ramly, uses gentle nostalgia as a tool in Generasi 90an: Melankolia, touching upon universal teenage experiences against the backdrop of an older, simpler time. Through this movie, he beautifully portrayed the straightforward, sometimes painful, reality of growing up.

Overall, Generasi 90an: Melankolia offers a beautiful, nostalgic ride filled with emotions, music, and memories, strongly appealing to the audience who grew up in the 90s. The film is a celebration of love, life, friendship, and youth, making it worth watching for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of these themes. It beautifully narrates the journey of growing up, making it a nostalgic ode to the 90s, invoking a strong sense of longing and reminiscence.