RRI.CO.ID, Sofia - The Indonesian film Solata greeted international audiences and immediately garnered a strong emotional response. Screened as part of the Menar Film Festival at Cinema House in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the film had an occupancy rate of over 90 percent.

Throughout the screening, the atmosphere in the theater was silent and intense. Several audience members were visibly moved by the storyline, and several diplomats in attendance admitted to shedding tears.

The long applause that echoed as the end credits rolled signaled that this simple story from the remote Toraja region had successfully transcended language and cultural barriers.

Solata tells the story of Angkasa (Rendy Kjaernett), a volunteer teacher who travels to the Ollon Valley in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi Province, to escape the difficulties of his life in Jakarta. There, he finds new meaning in family, devotion, and hope through his relationships with the children and local community.

The strength of this film lies in its honest and down-to-earth approach. Almost all of the cast are native Torajan citizens who are not professional actors. This choice creates a strong sense of authenticity, immersing international audiences in the daily lives of the locals, portrayed without artificiality.

The beautiful Ollon Valley landscape is also a crucial element of the storytelling. The rarely seen Torajan landscape serves as a beautiful backdrop that integrates with the narrative of the struggle for education and human relationships, which form the core of the story.

"Solata" is a Torajan word meaning "friend/companion." In the context of this film, it is interpreted as "a friend who is like family."

The film's emotional tone is enhanced by traditional music played during key scenes. Some viewers noted that the music added depth and helped them feel an emotional connection to the story despite their different cultural backgrounds.

The Menar Film Festival is a non-competitive festival that showcases films from the Middle East and Africa. The inclusion of the Indonesian film Solata is an interesting exception, highlighting that local stories with universal value have a place on the international stage.

In her opening remarks, the Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Listiana Operananta, emphasized that Solata was chosen for the strength of its simple yet meaningful story. This film tells the story of the friendship of children who grow up in different cultures, religions, and social backgrounds, yet support each other to grow and progress together.

"Through Solata, we want to show that Indonesia has a rich natural and cultural diversity. Toraja is one example of the vast and rich Indonesian landscape. This film speaks of friendship, solidarity, and hope. These values are highly relevant to the reality of Indonesia as a diverse nation, while also providing a universal message that can be accepted by anyone," said Ambassador Listi, as quoted by Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website.

Before the screening, the audience was introduced to the rich culture of South Sulawesi through dances performed by four ethnic groups: the Toraja, Bugis, Mandar, and Makassar. The audience also enjoyed culinary delights typical of the region. This experience allowed the audience to not only watch a film, but also make a cultural "visit" to Indonesia.

After the event, the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia received personal messages from several diplomats who expressed their sincere appreciation for the film. The diplomats considered Solata to be a deeply touching film, not only for its story, but also for the traditional music that accompanies each scene and enhances the film's emotional atmosphere and cultural depth.

The warm response that Solata received in Sofia has opened up wider opportunities for the film's international reach. Throughout 2026, the film is scheduled to be submitted to several competitive film festivals in Europe, including the Sofia Film Festival and Kinomania.

The screening of Solata shows that stories from remote regions of Indonesia can resonate in global forums. With its honest narrative, powerful natural visuals, and universal human themes, Solata shows that Indonesian films have the power to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. ***