"Three Days to Forever"

Hong Kong Film Fest
Three Days to Forever
3 hari untuk selamanya (Indonesia)
A Sinemart Pictures, Miles Films presentation of a Miles Films production, in association with Gothenburg Film Festival, the Global Film Initiative. (International sales: Miles Films, Jakarta.) Produced by Mira Lesmana. Executive producers, Leo Sutanto, Elly Yanti Noor, Toto Prasetyanto. Directed by Riri Riza. Screenplay, Sinar Ayu Massie.

With: Nicholas Saputra, Adinia Wirasti.
(Indonesian, Sundanese, English dialogue)

Two Indonesian cousins take a road trip to a family wedding in the warmhearted coming-of-ager "Three Days to Forever." Pic does its fair share of taboo-breaking (drugs, sexual references) but at heart is a feel-good teen movie recalling the '80s work of John Hughes. Though mild by Western standards, protags' rebellious attitude toward the confines of Islamic culture has already created local censorship problems prior to release. But young distaff auds should embrace the pic across Southeast Asia, thanks to heartthrob Nicholas Saputra's presence, with some additional fest slots likely.

Handsome Suf (Saputra) is entrusted with driving an antique cutlery set from Jakarta to a rural family wedding to be used in a traditional meal. The bride's sister, Ambar (Adinia Wirasti), is a party girl whose favorite pastimes are boys and drugs, though not necessarily in that order. While the rest of the family fly out to the wedding, Ambar is too hung over from the previous evening and joins Suf as a traveling companion.

On the road, the urban pair experience the rich tapestry of modern-day Indonesia: the exoticism and eroticism of traditional culture, rural sensibilities, generosity, conservatism, resort lifestyles and Islamic hypocrisy. Pic holds up Indonesia like a jewel to the light, examining it for its beauty and flaws, and its mostly nonjudgmental eye recalls the less paranoid moments of "Easy Rider" and its snapshots of '60s America.

Ambar's dilemma about whether to study abroad is supposed to create narrative tension, but the yarn's episodic structure precludes any real sense of urgency. During their three-day journey, protags smoke marijuana and chat freely about sex. Despite this, and Ambar's spoilt-child demeanor, both characters are admirable, positive role models on a rites-of-passage journey.

Sinar Ayu Massie's script is full of smart observations about contempo Indonesia, and Riri Riza's direction is breezy and efficient. Saputra builds on the charming persona he established in "Joni's Promise" a couple years ago; in turn, Wirasti ("About Her") presents a recognizable figure of distracted young womanhood.

Pic is augmented by a catchy Indonesian pop soundtrack, and all tech credits are decidedly pro.

Camera (color), Yadi Sugandi; editor, Sastha Sunu; music, Float; art director, Eros Eflin; sound (Dolby Digital), Satrio Budiono, Handy Ilfat; associate producers, Julia Fraser, Julie Lebrocquy. Reviewed at Hong Kong Film Festival (Global Vision), March 25, 2007. (Also in Hong Kong FilMart.) Running time: 102 MIN.