Jermal

Jermal is a 2008 Indonesian drama film directed by Ravi L. Bharwani and Rayya Makarim. The film boasts a compelling cast including Iqbal S. Manurung, Didi Petet, and Yayu A.W. Unru. It does an exceptional job tethering the audience to a unique context and superbly exposes tensions along with universal relationships and themes, notably familial obligation, the consequences of abandonment, and the struggle for survival in a harsh environment.

The story revolves around a 12 years old boy named Jaya, portrayed by Iqbal S. Manurung, who finds himself thrust into the world of adulthood following the death of his mother. After his mother's death, he is sent to live with his estranged father. However, the setting in which Jaya finds his father is both unexpected and challenging – in the middle of the sea, on a jermal (a fishing platform). His father, Johar (Didi Petet), is a jermal master, a figure of authority, but is emotionally withdrawn, hesitant to welcome his son into his world. This creates a strained, unfamiliar relationship between the two characters.

Jermal skillfully shows the foreboding isolation of life on the fishing platform, both physically and metaphorically. The movie is shot extensively on a literal jermal, an offshore fishing platform common in Indonesia, serving as the backdrop for most of the film. The vast ocean forms a breathtaking yet threatening environment synonymous with isolation, abandonment, child exploitation, and individual survival, becoming an essential character in the story, bringing forth the juxtaposition of beauty and danger.

As Jaya begins to acclimate to this harsh new world, viewers observe the young boy’s evolution from naivety to maturity. We see a child forced to grow up quickly and adapt to the rugged life at sea while navigating the relationship dynamics amongst the workers and his distant father. This becomes critical as he forms friendships and rivalries with the other children working on the platform, who also happen to be victims of child labor – a somber underlying theme throughout the film.

Equally important character is Johar, Jaya's father, who is haunted by his past, reluctant to accept his newfound parental responsibilities. Didi Petet, known for his roles in various Indonesian cinema, does a captivating job delivering an intricate performance of a man grappling with guilt, regret, and redemption, making Johar a compelling character in the narrative.

Jermal also explores the disturbing issue of child labor. The young boys working arduous, perilous jobs on the platform are a stark representation of the harsh realities many impoverished children face. The film makes a poignant statement about the issue, highlighting its cruelty without being overly sensational or melodramatic. Though set in a very specific Indonesian context, this theme carries global significance.

Lastly, there is the addition of a third main character, Pak Atan (Yayu A.W Unru), who brings a significant shift in the story. His arrival on the jermal further complicates the relationship between Jaya and Johar and influences the overall dynamics on the platform.

Visually stunning and emotionally poignant, the film boasts exceptional cinematography. The cinematographers skilfully capture the ethereal beauty of the sea, its vastness, and the minimalist living conditions on the jermal. The coastal scenery of Indonesia underlines the story, contrasting the harsh living conditions the characters endure.

On a whole, Jermal is a heavy yet moving film that successfully interweaves harsh realities, societal norms, and emotional struggle into its plot with an utmost sense of realism. It's a deep dive into life on a jermal, personifying it as more than just a place - a microcosm revealing the strengths and flaws of humanity, the struggle for survival, and the arduous journey toward reconciliation and redemption. It's a heartfelt portrait of a father-son dynamic, human survival, exploitation and an exceptional narrative set amidst the backdrop of Indonesia's offshore fishing industry.