Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts

MARLINA: ZBRODNIA W CZTERECH AKTACH

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts / Marlina si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak
director: Mouly Surya
Indonesia, France, Malaysia, Thailand 2017, 93’

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS

Premiere: Cannes Film Festival 2017 (Directors Fortnight)

Awards: Sitges FF 2017 - Best Actress Award, Special Mention; QCinema Asian Next Wave Competition 2017 - Best Film; International Women's FF Salé, Morocco 2017 - Prix du Scénario; 11th Five Flavours Asian Film Festival - NETPAC Award

The empty, sunburnt hills of the Indonesian island bewitch with their coarse beauty. But it is not a safe place for a young widow, living by herself. When a few gang members appear at her door, nobody will hear her cry for help. They don’t expect that by sunrise, the widow will leave the house with a head of one of them wrapped in a piece of cloth.

The director creates an intriguing mix of a western convention and an intimate drama, with a pinch of documentary style and sarcastic humor. She is completely in control of her form – the panoramic shots are hypnotizing, and the use of light bring the art of Caravaggio to mind. The character of the widow was inspired by observing the women living on the island, but the rhythmic script gives it a mythological feel. The journey of the justice-seeking heroin is made up of small, mundane events composing a story about female power. If anyone ever thought of shooting a slow cinema version of "Mad Max", "Marlina" could be the result.

MOULY SURYA

Born in Jakarta, considered to be one of the most important artists among the young Indonesian filmmakers. She studied media and literature in Indonesia and directing in Australia. Her debut film brought her the Best Director award at the film festival in Jakarta, her second feature was shown at Sundance, in Rotterdam, and in Karlove Vary. "Marlina" is her third production and the only film from Southeast Asia shown this year in Cannes.

Filmography:

CAST AND CREDITS

director: Mouly Surya
screenplay: Mouly Surya, Rama Adi
cinematography: Yunus Pasolang
editing: Kelvin Nugroho
music: Zeke Khaseli, Yudhi Arfani
cast: Marsha Timothy, Dea Panendra, Yoga Pratama, Egi Fedly, Rita Matu Mona, Anggun Priambodo, Ayez Kassar, Safira Ahmad, Indra Birowo
producer: Rama Adi, Fauzan Zidni
production: CINESURYA, Kaninga Pictures, Shasha & Co Production, Astro Shaw, HOOQ, Purin Pictures
language: Sumba
subtitles: Polish and English
colouration: colour

Polish distributor: Pięć Smaków Kino Azji
available formats: DCP, Bluray