Italian
Indonesian production “The Light of Fire” (Tinju Api), a coming-of-age action drama from director-writer Sesarini, is being presented at the inaugural JAFF Market, running alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival.
The project, produced by Lyza Anggraheni and Ismail Basbeth under their banner Ruang Basbeth Bercerita, follows 17-year-old Yuda, whose father is killed in an underground boxing match. The story tracks his journey into illegal boxing as he seeks vengeance, ultimately discovering that healing comes not through revenge but through embracing his father’s legacy.
The film has already gained attention on the development circuit, securing second place at the 2023 Indonesiana script lab program after being selected for the Producer Lab at Jakarta Film Week 2022.
“The story takes place in Malang,” says producer Anggraheni. “As Sesarini’s father is originally from Malang, she wanted to utilize this opportunity to connect with her father’s hometown.”
Popular on Variety Sesarini’s personal connection to the material extends beyond location. “Through ‘The Light of Fire,’ I wanted to explore this unspoken side of grief – the silence, the isolation, and the ways we seek outlets to cope when we feel we have no other options,” says the director.
The film’s visual concept emphasizes Yuda’s emotional journey through boxing, using contrasting color palettes to reflect his transformation. The story begins in muted tones representing grief before transitioning to warmer colors that mirror his growing determination and eventual path to acceptance.
The production team aims to position the film internationally, seeking development funding and potential sales agents at JAFF Market. Anggraheni notes that while Indonesia‘s rising film market presents opportunities for international co-productions, convincing local investors to look beyond domestic audiences remains a challenge.
“We believe there are various companies interested in co-production with Indonesian projects,” says Anggraheni. “The government support for independent filmmakers has been helpful in connecting projects with the international film industry.”
“The Light of Fire” is at the market’s Future Project platform.
