Photocopier

Photocopier is an Indonesian drama-thriller film directed by Wregas Bhanuteja that was released in 2021. The movie serves as a poignant social commentary wrapped in an engrossing mystery that delves into themes of consent, social media exploitation, and the pursuit of justice within the constraints of conservative societal norms. It has a compelling narrative that draws viewers into the dark corners of contemporary youth culture and the impact of digital technologies on personal lives.

The story follows the life of a young woman named Sur (played by Shenina Cinnamon), who is a promising student at a prestigious university in Jakarta. Sur is a dedicated student and an aspiring actress, spending her nights working hard as a photocopy clerk at a local copy shop, photocopying reams of academic material—hence the movie’s title, Photocopier. Her life takes a drastic turn when, after a night out with friends from the theater club, she wakes up with no recollection of the night before. However, her worries escalate when photographs from that fateful evening are leaked on social media, showing her in a compromising and vulnerable position.

As Sur struggles to recall the events of the night and unravel the truth behind the photographs, she’s plunged into a tumultuous journey that tests the resilience of her spirit and her relationships with those closest to her. With her scholarship on the line and her reputation in tatters, she turns to her only ally, Amin (played by Giulio Parengkuan), a friend and co-worker from the photocopy shop, who possesses a shrewd knack for hacking and investigative work.

Amin, a somewhat socially awkward character, juxtaposes Sur’s passionate demeanor with his calm and collected approach to solving problems. As they dig deeper, Sur begins to question the integrity of her friends, including her theater club, and contemplates the underlying motives of even those she once trusted. Dea Panendra plays one of Sur’s acquaintances, who becomes instrumental to the story’s development and adds layers to the narrative through her interactions with Sur.

Together, Sur and Amin embark on an amateur sleuthing mission to piece together fragments of the night that Sur cannot remember. They conduct their own form of an investigation, using the resources available to them—including the very photocopier at their workplace—to uncover clues and confront those who might be responsible for taking the photos and spreading them.

Amidst their personal investigation, the movie presents an arresting depiction of Indonesia’s bustling urban life, contrasting it with the traditional values that still pervade society. The film's portrayal of university life and the youth-dominated theater scene offers viewers a glimpse into a world where modernity clashes with cultural expectations. The director cleverly uses the photocopier as a visual metaphor—representing the reproduction and distortion of truth, much like how images and narratives can be manipulated in the digital age.

Photocopier scrutinizes the pervasive issue of victim-blaming and the challenges women face when confronting sexual assault and harassment, especially within institutions designed to protect them. It intelligently weaves the nuances of technological intrusion into the story, highlighting the invasive nature of smartphones and social media platforms, and their capacity to disseminate intensely private moments to the public domain.

The film is notable for its atmospheric cinematography, which bathes Jakarta’s stark urban landscape in somber hues, contrasting the vibrancy of the city with the darkness of the narrative. The use of lighting is deliberate, often casting shadows across characters' faces to suggest the murky ambiguity of truth and memory. The score is minimal yet haunting, creating a sense of unease that lingers with the viewer and underscores the tension of the unfolding mystery.

Shenina Cinnamon delivers a compelling performance as Sur, portraying a range of emotions from vulnerability and confusion to resolve and determination. Her portrayal brings depth to the character, who is both a victim and a fighter, someone who embodies the complexities of contemporary youth thrust into an all-too-adult world of deception and betrayal. Dea Panendra adds an intense presence to the film with a performance that ripples beneath the surface, while Giulio Parengkuan is a welcome presence that offers a balance of earnestness and lighter moments to the narrative.

Photocopier is a film that resonates with audiences not just as an engaging thriller but also as a critical reflection on the real-world issues it metaphorically captures through its storyline and characters. It serves both as entertainment and as a call to awareness about the troubling and sometimes dangerous intersection of technology, personal autonomy, and social justice. The movie's ending, while offering resolution, does not shy away from leaving the audience with lingering questions about the true cost of seeking justice in a world where everything, including truth, can be copied, distorted, and shared with the touch of a button.