The Malediction (2017)
A quietly unsettling Indonesian short film about faith, desire, and the fantasies a man builds to justify both.
The Malediction - Movie Information
- Original Title: Ruah
- Release Year: 2017
- Directed by: Makbul Mubarak
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 27m
- Original Language: Indonesian
- Spoken Languages: Arabic, Indonesian, Javanese
- Alternative Titles: The Malediction (ID)
- Production Companies: Dinas Kebudayaan DIY, Limaenam Films, Hibernasi Films
- Production Countries: Indonesia
The Malediction - Plot
Halim considers himself a pious Islamic man. He wishes to marry a young woman in her village as a second wife to save her from miserable life. His wife doesn't agree. Halim contemplates on his own decision while a weird fantasy world starts to suck him in.
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The Malediction - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Makbul Mubarak
Main Cast
- Tri Sudarsono
- Ernanta Kusuma
- Rully El-Faudy
- Anindya Puspita
- Ameilya Windya
- Dayu Prisma
- Bella Ayu
- Bambang Darto
- Ikun Sri Kuncoro
- Akhmad Fesdi Anggoro
Writers
- Makbul Mubarak
Producers
- Bayu Prihantoro Filemon
The Malediction - FAQs
Where can you watch The Malediction online?
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What is The Malediction about?
The Malediction follows Halim, a devout Muslim man who wants to take a young village woman as his second wife, believing it will rescue her from hardship. His first wife objects, and as Halim wrestles with his decision, an unsettling fantasy world begins to pull him under.
Who directed the 2017 short film Ruah?
The Malediction, known in Indonesian as Ruah, was written and directed by Makbul Mubarak. The film was produced under the banner of Limaenam Films and Hibernasi Films, and represents an early work in Mubarak's career before his internationally acclaimed feature Autobiography (2022).
Who are the main actors in The Malediction?
The film stars Tri Sudarsono as the central figure Haji Halim, alongside Ernanta Kusuma, Rully El-Faudy, Anindya Puspita, Ameilya Windya, Bambang Darto, Ikun Sri Kuncoro, and Akhmad Fesdi Anggoro, among others.
Is The Malediction based on a true story?
The Malediction does not appear to be based on a specific true story. It is an original work written by director Makbul Mubarak, exploring themes of religious piety, moral hypocrisy, and desire through a surreal dramatic lens rooted in Indonesian cultural and Islamic social contexts.
How long is The Malediction short film?
The Malediction has a runtime of 27 minutes, making it a short film. Despite its brief length, the film explores complex moral and psychological territory, blending realist drama with dreamlike sequences to examine its protagonist's inner conflict.
What language is The Malediction filmed in?
The film is primarily in Indonesian, with Arabic and Javanese also spoken throughout. This multilingual texture reflects the cultural and religious environment of the story, set within an Indonesian Muslim community where Javanese tradition and Islamic practice intersect.
What themes does The Malediction explore?
The Malediction examines religious hypocrisy, patriarchal desire, and moral self-deception. Halim's conviction that taking a second wife is an act of piety masks deeper, more troubling impulses, which the film exposes through a creeping surrealist atmosphere that blurs the line between virtue and transgression.
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