Indonesian Film Pangku Selected for Bishkek International Competition

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian cinema continues to gain global recognition as Pangku (On Your Lap), the feature directorial debut of acclaimed actor Reza Rahadian, has been officially selected for the International Competition at the Bishkek International Film Festival 2026.

The announcement was made through the film’s official social media channels, where the production team expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present the work to an international audience.

“Great news from Kyrgyzstan, Pangku has been officially selected to compete at the Bishkek International Film Festival. We’re delighted that Pangku can meet our friends there,” the team wrote on May 31, 2026.

The festival will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, from June 7 to 12, 2026. Within the international category, Pangku will compete against nine films from around the world for the grand prize.

Pangku tells the story of Sartika, a young mother who moves to Java’s northern coast to rebuild her life. To survive, she works at a kopi pangku café, where women serve coffee while offering companionship by sitting on patrons’ laps, a practice born of economic hardship and social pressures in coastal communities.

The film portrays Sartika’s struggle to balance dignity, survival, and motherhood while navigating the moral complexities of her environment.

The narrative also introduces Maya, the café owner who supports Sartika through childbirth but later persuades her to join the trade. Their relationship reflects the resilience and solidarity of women in Pantura, while exposing the stark realities of limited choices in marginalized communities.

While Reza Rahadian is celebrated as one of Indonesia’s most versatile actors, Pangku marks his first full-length feature behind the camera.

The emotional drama explores family dynamics and human connection with a restrained, realist style. “I don’t want to direct the audience’s feelings. Let them feel whatever they feel,” Reza explained in earlier interviews, underscoring his commitment to authenticity.

The screenplay was co-written with novelist Felix K. Nesi, based on extensive field research in Pantura communities. Produced by Gambar Gerak, the company founded by Reza and Arya Ibrahim, the film was co-produced by Arya and Gita Fara.

The Bishkek selection adds to Pangku’s impressive trajectory. The film first captured international attention at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, where it won four awards. It mirrored that success at home during the 2025 Festival Film Indonesia (FFI), taking four Citra Awards, including Best Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay.

The Bishkek International Film Festival has earned a reputation as a cultural crossroads linking Asia and Europe, serving as a vital platform for independent and artistic cinema. The inclusion of Pangku underscores the growing global appreciation for contemporary Indonesian storytelling.

With its deeply human narrative rooted in the lives of Javanese coastal communities, Pangku has become one of the most widely discussed Indonesian films on the global festival circuit, signaling a vibrant era of growth and recognition for the nation’s film industry. (Naura Sofia)