NORTH JAKARTA, 1985
Wahyu is very fortunate.
Why is that?
Always the first to fill the sack up.
Because he always starts to work much earlier than we do.
He starts before sundown.
But he can't keep doing that.
There won't be any shellfish left for us to catch.
We will just get the leftovers.
- Nonsense. - It's true!
The amount of shellfish here stays the same.
We start to work in the evening, not because we're a lazy bunch,
but because we need to keep the area from being demolished.
Don't act like you don't hear me. I wish you become deaf for real.
What's your problem, Rusman?
My problem is this guy
only thinks of himself, never the people around him.
Are you not sincere in doing what you're doing now?
You're always mad.
- Piss off! - You're a piece of shit, Rusman!
- Why do you keep taking his side? - I'm not doing anything!
I'm just disgusted by you acting strong like that!
Don't be a hypocrite. I know you're into his wife!
- You asshole! What's wrong with you? - I'm right, aren't I?
Don't listen to him!
We've got more than six million. It will be enough soon.
Are you listening?
I am.
I was just thinking about what we will do once we're in Saudi Arabia.
Of course looking for Mom.
But where? One of the ulemas said that Saudi Arabia is huge.
How many days can your savings afford to look for your mom?
At least a week.
Why are you so sure?
I heard that you've been flirting with Ohim.
Are you insane?
You're just the same as the other villagers.
You have a wicked mind.
If not, then I believe you.
Ohim.
I would cheat with someone more handsome.
He's a widower and a poor one too.
If you can find one, will you do that?
If I were to cheat on you, I would've done that long ago.
Happy birthday.
Where's the candle?
Still mad?
I just keep thinking.
I know you really want to find your mom in Saudi Arabia.
But how can I ask to leave work for a whole week?
I've run out of annual leave.
Don't mind it. We can just live with Mom there.
Your mom left you when you were just seven.
- She never sent you letters. - She doesn't know where I live.
- Or probably, she's already-- - Dead?
She's still alive.
I can feel it.
If you don't want to go, I'm fine with it.
What's that?
There was a door prize for the anniversary of the factory.
You could win an iron,
stove, or radio.
I won an instant camera. You can have it.
What are you doing?
I once watched an ad on television.
They said we need to shake it to make the picture appear.
Here.
There were ten papers inside. Only nine left now.
- One more, please. - Later, for more important moments.
I want to show them to Mom.
- So I'm not important to you? - You've got one already.
What do you still remember about your mom anyway?
Everything.
Mom is...
Even going to the kitchen with her
could turn into an exciting moment.
She could tell stories of how a wok is made.
She told me, "If a wok is sincerely made, the food will taste good."
And then, I often went to the garden with her.
She told me the name of every plant.
She also told me how all those plants ended up there.
Every night,
she always told me fairy tales
until I fell asleep.
All right, I'm coming with you to Saudi Arabia.
If I work harder to find shellfish,
we'll have enough money in a few days.
Is it good?
- Don't move! - What the hell are you doing?
Get him!
- You asshole! Bastard! - Don't you run!
What an asshole!
You bastard!
I'll burn your fucking face, bastard!
Bastard!
- How is he? - He's dying already.
How long have you been there?
Since you caught him.
We were about to be burnt to death and you were just standing there?
You're sick.
I can't believe you.
Bastard!
Let's bring him there!
I'm shocked. Who wanted to burn down our village?
There's a screening tonight.
...tonight, there will be...
THE BLIND MAN VS. JAKA SEMBUNG
Our lives are getting worse.
We've lost our electricity.
Usually,
when they fail to burn our village down,
they will flatten it.
We shouldn't have let those two go.
They're going to report it to the one who sent them.
It'll get complicated. I'm sure they're military.
It's already complicated now. Especially if we clash with the police.
If we have to fight them, so be it.
Even until I have no blood in me,
I'm not afraid.
Where else would we live if not here?
Where?
Relocation won't give us jobs.
We and our family will die starving.
Here you go.
The weather forecast
for North Jakarta area is predicted to rain heavily with strong winds
especially in the coastal areas, particularly in Pluit and Muara Angke--
Just go to the film screening.
We've watched that Jaka Sembung film many times already.
They wanted to screen The Angel's House at first.
Somehow, they decided not to.
They will screen the film in the neighboring village instead.
Wahyu.
- Going to work? - Yes, sir.
There's going to be a thunderstorm.
I'm useless here anyway. I can't keep the village safe.
I can't fight.
I'm not asking you to do that.
I'm just telling you there's going to be a thunderstorm.
It's fine.
Wahyu, what's wrong?
Honey. Wahyu!
You're as cold as ice!
Wahyu, what's going on?
I saw an angel!
You must be possessed.
I'll go find the Ustad!
- I'll be back soon. - Dijah!
What the hell is this?
I already told you this is the photo of an angel.
What? There are no photos with a black background!
It should be white!
He must have cut it from somewhere.
That's an instant film.
I got a door prize at the factory, an instant camera.
Why did the factory even hold that?
The anniversary of the factory. They were giving out prizes.
What a weird factory.
What's wrong with you?
Even if it's true, why did it choose to show itself in front of him?
What do you mean?
I mean, why him? Why?
What's special about him? Just look at him.
He's weak. Stupid too.
It's what happens to chosen prophets.
The stupid ones, you mean?
Come on.
There are many prophets considered as weak.
- Oppressed. - Who oppresses him?
You're all piece of shit.
The prophets defend the people. Who the hell does he defend?
He can't even defend himself. Move.
I'm wondering...
Why did the angel descend on our village?
It can't be a prank, can it, Ustad?
Is there anything it told you, Wahyu?
It wanted to say something.
But then it saw your scary mustache and ran away.
You're an idiot.
Ustad.
Why does an angel descend?
Usually, an angel does that
to deliver a message from God
to a place full of degenerates.
But I'm not so sure.
I became an Ustad only because you people keep calling me that.
Did I study religion?
I didn't.
What's important is that
angels only show themselves to the chosen ones.
Sour...
My mouth feels sour. I got to smoke.
My mouth feels sour...
Yes.
Aren't you afraid of covering our village?
Just suddenly gone?
That's just an occupational hazard.
If I die, I die.
Even if you're licking their asses, you can die when you leave home.
Run over by a truck.
Or struck by lightning.
What do you think is the reason why we should be evicted?
I heard they want to turn the village into a fancy apartment complex.
The ones living in Tanjung Priuk
have reasons to fight back.
It's because their village is sacred.
There are their ancestors' graves. There's none here.
I understand.
I got one.
Sorry.
Tell them. Come on.
What's going on?
He saw an angel last night.
- Where? - At the beach.
Is it true?
In a photo. Where is it?
I'm really sorry. Where is it? Found it.
- Is it real? - It is.
That means
there's no reason to demolish our village.
This area is, in fact, sacred.
Wahyu, I believe you.
I'm sure you're going to be our savior.
Is that even real? People keep talking about that angel photo.
Maybe it is.
Why do you think that
an angel visited your husband?
- I don't know. - It might not even be an angel.
Ghosts also wear white!
You!
You and your husband, you two are bitter.
You better be patient
so your husband will be visited by the angel too.
The Angel of Death.
For God's sake, I'll rip your mouth!
You all are impossible!
I've had enough of living in this slum.
Then why don't you move out?
Where? And with whose money?
How much money do we need to move out anyway
so we can have a comfortable life?
My husband said that six million is more than good enough
to rent a place far from here and open a stall.
But my grandpa said
the ones usually chosen to be a prophet are your husband's kind.
- What kind? - The silent one.
Why is that?
He said if someone is silent, he listens more,
so he knows more.
I don't understand.
Do you mean her husband can read someone's feelings and thoughts?
Having a superpower?
That's what he said.
He can't die either, can he?
Silly you. Of course he can die!
He said he might have a superpower.
You're insane.
So the photo is a lie then?
Mom, I miss you so much.
- What are you doing, honey? - Nothing.
Are you about to hang yourself?
You're crazy.
What did the angel whisper to you?
Whatever.
Hanging myself what? Where's the rope anyway?
I just wanted to take a look at Mom's photo.
Why is her photo up here?
And why is the piggybank also up here?
It was down there before.
Did you move it?
Don't you trust me?
I'm just afraid someone will know.
So I moved it up.
I just forgot to tell you.
We've been married for seven years.
I've never asked you for anything.
Not a single penny. Not even a child.
Yet you don't even trust me.
My heart is shattered.
I'm sorry.
Dijah.
This is...
life and death for me.
If the money is enough, I can go.
I just want to see her for once.
I just want to ask, "Why did you never come home, Mom?"
"Why did you never look for me?" That's all.
Sir.
It's unusual for your face to have some expressions, deadpan guy.
- Have you seen Dijah? - What?
No.
She wasn't there when I woke up.
Has anyone seen Dijah?
- No. - We haven't.
I guess she went to the market.
But her clothes are also gone.
No way.
See what's missing.
I'll come back to you later. Go see now!
Wahyu!
She left with Ohim, Wahyu.
Ohim is gone too.
He takes all his clothes with him.
All right.
I've told you many times already.
Ohim is close to your wife.
That bastard.
- I think it's my fault. - Why?
I told her that Wahyu would have a superpower,
able to read someone's thoughts and feelings.
She must have been afraid of being read.
Why even you... What the hell?
I got the story as is.
I just asked.
Who is it?
- Excuse me, sir. - Who are you?
- Can I talk to him for a second? - No.
Just come back again tomorrow. He's not in the mood to talk today.
It has to be now. I also talked to him yesterday.
It's very important, sir. Just give me one minute, please.
- Let's go out. - Just a minute.
All right. We're going out.
- Sorry, I'll close the door now. - Whatever.
What's wrong, sir?
I just wanted to tell you
that I have told my boss about the angel photo.
My boss also believes it.
He asked me whether you would allow us to put it in our newspaper.
I told him that you would allow us if he gave you eight million.
I'm sorry if I'm being impudent.
But it's fine because newspaper bosses
are all rich.
The poor ones are just the reporters.
But if it's published,
I will only ask you for a little cut. Just 10%.
800,000.
Later, you will receive 7.2 million.
What do you think, sir?
I did the wrong thing, didn't I?
I didn't do anything wrong or you changed your--
I didn't do anything wrong?
You don't want to sell the photo?
I want to.
My God, sir.
I almost had a heart attack.
Do you still have it?
All right, you need
to carefully keep the photo.
In three days, I'll come back to give you the money. Here's my card.
In case you don't trust me yet.
Just go find Hardi Gunadi.
All right, sir.
- Excuse me, sir. - All right.
Sir!
- What is it with Bandot? - What's wrong?
The people from the district office knocking on doors, bringing police.
- What do they want? - I don't know.
- They're at Edo's as we speak. - Edo?
- Edo Kuaci? - Yes.
- All right, come on. - Thank you, Bandot.
Wahyu. Shit, I forgot!
Wahyu.
I'm sorry.
Let's come with me.
Please help us. Show that you are actually chosen, okay?
Chosen what?
To be our savior, Wahyu.
I can't do that.
I'm sure you can. You're just not aware of it yet.
Come with me, okay? It's important.
What the hell is it? I don't accept it.
- You just have to sign it. - I can't.
- Do you want it now or later?
- It's the same anyway. - What's going on, Edo?
He's asking me to sign, sir.
- Signing what? - That's the thing. The paper is empty.
Do you want us to sign a magical paper?
Later, you will type our eviction letter there.
Don't get me wrong, sir. We're here to help.
- Sooner or later, you have to move out. - No.
Neither I nor everyone here are going to sign it.
We can't do it that way.
All of you don't have any rights to live here.
We've been living here
since before our grandparents, before the independence!
This country didn't even exist yet!
Why did you say we don't have any rights?
You can't do that in the eye of the law.
That's why, ladies and gentlemen,
we left the paper empty so we can
help you get the right amount of compensation, for you, sir,
for you gentlemen, ladies.
That's why, sign, please.
You better piss off now.
Otherwise, I will shatter all your teeth!
Can't you be more goddamned polite?
Relax, you bastard.
You're the one being impolite!
Forcing people to sign an empty sheet of paper!
Do you know who I am?
Wahyu, help them!
Come here!
Come here, you piece of shit! Let's see who dies first!
Let's get out of here.
Come here!
Come back here, you bastard!
My God.
How come none of you helped me?
I was the only one fighting.
You bunch of bastards!
Wahyu does have a superpower. Didn't you see it?
He can save us all.
What superpower? Let's try it then.
- Enough, Rusman. - I said enough, Rusman!
If you still respect me, lower your gun!
You all keep saying that he has a superpower!
If it's true,
this gun won't put a bullet in your head!
That's it, you bastard!
My goodness.
Piece of shit!
Hey!
Asshole!
Hey. Do you think you can win? Are you dreaming, you stupid shit?
Now, you are poor
and you will die instead. You were poor but safe, but now you're poor and dead.
Your wife is now over and done with, do you hear me?
Listen to me, you bastard.
You can't run away because you're poor!
Just move out when we tell you so.
But before you do that, listen.
You badly beat my friend up. He paid for the care himself.
He got no money left. So in two days...
I'll come back here and you will give me three million.
Three million, understand?
If you don't have it, there is no need to move out!
Because we'll just bury you deep in the ground, do you hear that?
Idiot.
Gemi.
Gemi!
- What did they do to you? - Just slapped several times.
Bastard!
I might be raped or killed the next time.
You're impossible, you know.
You're not thinking straight.
We are all trying so hard, but we don't want to act tough like you.
Now what?
I need to find three million as compensation.
- What? - Yes.
To pay for the medical bill of the guy I beat up earlier.
What will we do then?
I have no idea.
Gemi.
What now?
I know where we can get the money.
Hey, Gemi.
We will move out of this village.
We find a new place.
We open a stall.
Then why are you trying to act tough defending this village?
They don't deserve to be defended.
We better defend ourselves. Damn it.
That hurts.
Rusman.
- Rusman. - Just stay there.
Rusman!
Wahyu.
What is it, sir?
- How are you? - Fine.
I can't understand you, Wahyu.
Why are you so lucky?
All your problems are short-lived.
Just in a short time, luck comes back to you.
Why must it be you?
Not really, sir.
- You don't really know my life. - What's difficult about your life?
As if you know mine.
Well, I don't know either.
That's why I never think of anything about you.
Because you never care!
You never care about others!
You never care about anyone!
Am I right?
- Maybe you're right. - Is it wrong?
- Maybe it is. - Are you willing to change?
I am, sir.
I need some money.
A lot.
If not, my wife and I will die.
- I don't have any, Rusman. - You do.
Where?
Where is your angel photo? Where is it?
I don't have it anymore. The reporter has taken it.
You do!
I heard what you said earlier.
Wahyu, just give it to me.
What will you use the money for?
You want to meet your mom in Saudi Arabia, right?
Looking for your mom, isn't it?
Even if she's still alive,
we don't know if she wants to meet you.
If she does, why doesn't she stay with you?
Wahyu.
Hey.
Just give me the money.
All the people have left you. Your wife, your mom.
Get this over with. Where is it?
- Move away, Wahyu. - Don't do it, sir.
Move away.
What is this?
Peace be upon you.
Peace be upon you too.
I just wanted to apologize to Wahyu.
All the people here have agreed to follow your lead, Wahyu.
If you say we move out, we'll move out, Wahyu.
If you say we-- That hurts.
If you say we have to fight back,
we will fight back, Wahyu.
Sir.
It's better not to depend on me.
Wahyu.
It's okay to have some doubts now.
That's normal.
The prophets were the same back then.
Now, keep that in mind.
You ask God, "What should I do?"
Later, God will give you the answer.
Once you get that, you tell us all.
But I don't deserve to be followed.
I even rarely remember God.
That's why, this is the moment, Wahyu.
We will wait for you outside.
You stay here and ask God for some guidance.
How can I do that, Ustad?
You'll know how, Wahyu.
That's it.
While you're waiting for His guidance, we are all waiting for you.
- All right? - All right.
Let's wait outside, gentlemen.
You stay here.
- Sir, I'll head outside. - Okay.
All right, let's wait outside.
Duck...
Edo, wake up. Time to pray.
Let's do the morning prayer. Let's go, Bandot.
Sir... My God.
All of you, wake up! Let's do the morning prayer.
- Ustad. - Yes?
Can I come out now?
Have you got the guidance?
Not yet.
Well, keep waiting there. Be patient.
The patient ones will get the guidance.
- Get out, you fake prophet! - Ustad.
Rusman, what's wrong?
He's a fake, Ustad.
What do you mean?
You know, the photo inside there
is not a photo of an angel.
That's a photo he took of the film screening!
What film screening?
Do you remember the film they should've screened here?
The Angel's House, you mean?
- What they screened instead? - Jaka Sembung, sir.
- Where was The Angel's House screened? - The neighboring village, sir.
- The neighboring village? - Yes.
He is from the neighboring village.
A friend of mine, telling me.
So there was this flying angel scene.
With wings and wearing white.
- There. - Is that true?
You believe me now, don't you?
So he didn't go looking for shellfish that night,
but went to the screening in the neighboring village instead.
Sir, wait a second.
Why would he do that? There was a screening here too!
How should I know that?
Maybe he's not into Barry Prima.
Where is he?
- Rusman! - Wait!
- Sir! - Rusman!
- Sir! - No way.
- Rusman. - Calm down, sir.
Calm down.
You lied to the whole village, you fake prophet!
- You should be burned alive! - Sir.
I didn't lie, sir.
You can't deny it.
I brought a witness.
Where is it? Where is that fake angel photo?
It isn't fake.
Well, where is it?
My witness can prove
that your photo came from the film screening. Where is it?
- I threw it away. - Why did you do that?
Because...
- Because it is fake. - Bastard!
What is it?
Why did you lie to us?
I don't know, sir.
Maybe to make me feel more important.
Feel...
You're already important without having to meet an angel.
Didn't you remember?
When my kid was sick when I was away in my hometown,
the one bringing him to the clinic was you.
When he was a child, Edo got his balls ripped.
Full of blood.
The one helping him was you.
Gemi was dragged so far by the waves.
You were the only one brave enough to get her.
Why did you even believe that you were unimportant?
I'm disappointed with you.
Enough. Leave now.
You're mad.
You're even lazy enough to not defend yourself.
How can you defend the others?
You're only Wahyu in name.
You should've been named "Sleep".
Just go to sleep.
Now, where is it?
Where's the photo?
I have to pay Adil from the neighboring village quite a lot of money.
Piece of shit!
- Peace be upon you, Ustad. - Yes, peace be upon you too.
Take a rest, sir.
Move away.
Sir...
Please stop.
Just get out of my way.
Sir, please don't take it out.
Sir.
Sir!
Sir, please don't!
Sir!
I've been nice to you.
How did it become like this?
How?
If you kept it safe,
we could've split it in half.
I badly need it, Wahyu! I badly do!
Bastard.
Peace be upon you.
All right, take a rest.
We'll continue tomorrow.
- My God. Yes, peace be upon you. - Peace be upon you too.
Ustad!
- Ustad! - What is it?
- Calm down. - Ustad.
- What is it? - Our village is under attack.
- What? Under attack? - There's a lot of people out front.
- Yes. - Sound the alarm!
Call all the men!
Come on, Edo! We're under attack!
Mom...
Mom?
Mom.
How come?
I'm here in front of you
Iin the form that you recognize
to make it easier for you to see me.
I don't understand.
Afterward,
all knowledge is going to be yours.
If you decide
to explain your knowledge
to your kind,
that is within your rights.
That's why
we have created you.
Am I dreaming?
Am I dead?
You've never been this alive, Wahyu.
And now, all of this knowledge
is going to be your responsibility.
- Let's fight! - Let's fight!
Don't be afraid!
Let's go!
Attack!
Stop!
Subtitle translation by: Arya Wiguna