My Favorite Movies from 2016

I watched a lot of Movies this year!
okay, this post is partly bragging and partly sharing :)
Instead of listing top 5 or top 10, I will pick some movies based on the category or genre, because it is hard to choose my number 1 favorite movie.

Animation:

Ma Vie de Courgette (My Life as Zuchinni)
Not only because of the adorable design, amazing stop motion animation, but also the heartwarming story.  I really love the character of Simon.
I am so lucky to watch this movie at Dok Leipzig because it is probably won't be screened in Indonesia.

Zootopia

What's not to love? It's a story that we really need, a story of fighting against discrimination and social stereotypes.

Digimon Adventure Tri chapter I
I'm too old to say I was growing up watching the animated series, but I really do like the animated series.  I watched this movie with my little sister who really growing up watching the series.  I secretly shed a happy tears when listening to the theme song.

Indonesian Film:

Siti

Siti is an indie film, produced at 2014 but released in Indonesia at 2016. The film win many awards.  The famous quote is "Gusti Allah mboten sare, Gusti Allah Piknik", means God is not sleeping but He is having Picnic.  But personally my favorite scene is when Siti and her friend staring at the ocean and yelling "ASSSUUUUUUUU!!!!".  Fyi, Asu means dog (yeah, woof woof), which is a cursing word.

My Stupid Boss

My Stupid Boss is a comedy about an eccentric boss. I normally don't watch Indonesian comedy, but I saw the advertisment everywhere, the trailer look compromising, the cast are great so why not?  And it turn out to be one of my favorite movie this year.

Tiga Dara

It is actually a 1957 film, it is black and white, but recently restored and screened at the theater.  It is still a great musical film, and the story is still relevant to current situation.  There is also a new adaptation to this movie, I haven't watch it, but I think the original film is a masterpiece.  

Thriller:

Don't Breathe

Rather than put this film on the Thriller category, I want to put it on "tai pisan" (=extremelly sh*tty) category because I really hate the main character, which actually means it is a very successful thriller.  Just like the title, it forced me to gasping and hold my breath.

Money Monster
As an economics faculty drop out, I feel like I need to watch this movie.  And hey it's a thriller!  Like we all know, money is the most honest motivation to drive a man to do many things, in this movie, taking hostages.

Now You See Me 2
compared to the other 2 thriller movie, this movie is the lightest movie.  But it's a fun and cool movie to watch.

Horror:

Conjuring 2

I watched too much horror and went numb, I hardly get scared of horror films, but I still love Conjuring series.  Valak reminds me of my school headmaster, as I was in a Catholic school.

I love the part when Ed singing the Elvis song.   

Train to Busan
It's a Korean zombie movie!  it's a complete package of thriller, horror, action and drama.  The Drama is a little bit too much, but well, that's a Korean movie.

Sadly, I didn't watch a lot of horror movies this year, as many horror movies were screened on October and November and I was too busy during those months.

Biopic:

Sully
Firstly, I watch this film because Tom Hanks is the main cast. And then it was directed by Clint Eastwood, I like his previous film "American Sniper". And it's a biopic,  sometimes real story is more amazing than fairy tale.  And it is.  It's a very good story, very touching, and might be cool in 4D.

Hacksaw Ridge
I watch it because of spiderman :p
It's a Mel Gibson movie so it's a religious movie but also bloody!!!  I like war movie and it's better because it's based on true story so the heroism is more realistic and humane than superhero movie.

WTF movie:

Terraformars

I know the genre supposedly post apocalyptic movie, but this movie is more precisely described as WTF movie.  Here's the summary: the earth is heavily populated so, human beings looking for a new planet to live.  They choose Mars, which is colder than the Earth, so they make it warmer by sending cockroaches to make it polluted.  Somehow the radiation makes the cockroach mutated into a big and muscled cockroach.  A group of unlucky people were sent to exterminate the cockroach.  

OH and I haven't told you the most WTF part, you better watch it by yourself, but let me warn you, this is a terrible movie.

I like Takashi Miike films but this one is so terrible that I have to put it on my favorite movie list.

Swiss Army Man

Enough said. Anybody wants to convince me that it is not a WTF movies?

Other Genre:

Okay, I'm getting lazy and don't know what to put this movie under which genre.  These are great movies and some wait for months or years to watch them, including me.

Fantastic Beast

It's a must watch film for Harry Potter fans.  But unfortunately I didn't read Harry Potter so I got lost when watching this film, like who they were talking about, what, why.  But despite not knowing all the details, it is still a magical movie with great story.  The beasts are adorable, especially the one who like to steal things

Doctor Strange

I'm not really sure to put this movie on my favorite movie list but after I compare it with the other superhero movie on 2016, this could be my favorite superhero movie.  oh I just don't like superhero movie.

Okay that's all.  I might forgetting some movies, but how can I say it's my favorite movies if I don't even remember it?  I still haven't watch Headshot, so maybe I will add that movie later.

After the DOK

HUH? where's the story during the Dok?
if you wait patiently, you will read it, but not yet.
I only have nice experiences, that for sure :)

After the world premiere of "Pulang ke Indonesia", I got some invitation e-mails to submit the film and also some offer to hire "festival agency".  I'm not sure with the term, I guess it's an agency which will help me submitting my film to various festival.  It's a great idea actually, considering submitting the film takes time, money, and a hell of internet data.  But of course, you need a large sum of money to hire the agent.

SO, I am still doing everything by myself, but it is nice to know that there is an easier way to do everything.  And since I am currently self employed, I could spend days only to submit the film to various festival.  As a really novice filmmaker, I don't have festival strategy, or to be honest, to submit the film to other festival than DOK Leipzig was not in my plan.

My plan was to work as a designer again, as a normal employee, but the company cut me off so I need to change my plan.  Oh, I have started working as freelance designer and I got some projects, so I'll be fine.  For now.

I'm not confident at all with my animation so I only send it to few festival, preferrably the ones with free submission, but I did pay for some submission especially for the ones who invited me.  I know that there's a possibility that my animation wouldn't be selected but I am really thankful for the invitations.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, I skipped the submission to film/animation festival, although I really want to participate and screening my animation in Indonesian festival.  First, because I am not confident with my animation. Second is because the rules and regulations are not in details.  Like, they don't mention what they would do with the film submitted.  This is important because there are some festival which doesn't allow submission of any film which is already in youtube/ vimeo.

So, I'm really sorry, I can't show the animation yet :(

Zero Celcius

My host already told me that they wouldn't be in town at October 30 but I just can't wait to leave all the drama behind, so I didn't reschedule my trip and I booked a room in a hotel in Leipzig.

October 29, I departed to Frankfurt, Germany, and arrived at October 30 then took a train to Leipzig.

It's really cold!!!!!!

It was 4 celcius, compared to the weather in Bandung, it was way too cold.

I had a bad jetlag, so I spend my time entirely at the hotel, although I did buy lunch at McDonald's.

It was Sunday and it was a holiday, so all the shops and mall are closed, that's why McDonald's is the best option.

I was really amazed when I saw the city centrum was really quiet, but there were a lot of families walking around. I meant, they must have known that the mall were closed, it was way too cold, but they still go outside no matter how old they were, from babies to elderly people.

I did ask Karoline, my host, at the other day.  She said, on Sunday they would go to the museum or to the park.  There are a lot of museums and park, the museums are indeed interesting, but the park is .. a park, normal park with a lot of plants, not a theme park, and they still go, by foot, although it's cold.

And it was shocking to see the google weather forecast next morning showing 0 Celcius.

I know it's not a thermometer.

But thankfully, after 2 days, I already adapted to the temperature. It was cold, I wore 3 layers of clothes, and I walk quickly to get warmer.

A Long Story Behind the Story You Can Skip

I returned from Germany 3 days ago, and I am hesitating to write this story because I know it's gonna be a long story.

Maybe you don't ask and maybe you don't want to know the whole story, but let me tell you, because I have many time to waste.

so... I went to Leipzig, to be exact to Dok Leipzig Film Festival for the second time!!! YAYYYY!!

The first time was to be a visitor, and the second time as a filmmaker :)

Mission Accomplished!

When I started the project, I didn't know it would be a roller coaster ride, of course it's fun to visit Leipzig twice, but there are equally a lot of hardships.

Random sh*tty things keep happening, starting from the company sell the office building.  Although I am now happy living with my parents again,  I wasn't easily adapted to the "new" environment.  I was really brokenhearted when I have to leave Jakarta.  I was still working for the company but I didn't feel like I was still part of the company.  I started to feel like I was a disposable employee, and never stop wondering, did they need me?

The financial condition of the company was not good and the best choice was to find another job.  That time I had a lot of options, I got a lot of job offers. But I didn't take any of it because there was a higher possibility that in the new place, I wouldn't have time to finish the animation.  So I chose the animation. I stayed with the company.

I really wanted to finish the animation as quickly as possible so spent my weekends and spare time making the animation,  I stop taking freelance project, and stop making amigurumis which caused financial and mental damage.  To relieve stress, I go shopping like crazy and spending money on random things.  Luckily two of the random things were subscribing a gym membership and taking language course, so at least I spent the money on good reasons (although I'm still not fit, not slim, and still bad in speaking German).  

After became slightly healthier and happier, I started making the animation again but then... I ran out of money, so I spent two month working many freelance projects, and "coincidentally" started working on the main job also from home.  Afterward, I started finished the animation, right on time with the Dok Leipzig's deadline at July 7.  What I meant on time was actually only sending the raw file, because the rules mentioned that they accepted raw files/ unfinished project too, and give 2 weeks more to finish it.  And it was finally finished  at July 22 before 12 o' clock, German time (means 6 hours extra).

What happened during the next 2 months was : I intensively stalking.  I googled every day, looking for any announcement, because I can't wait patiently.  I did my job for the company really good and fast, because I had to keep myself busy so I didn't have time to check google.

And at September, I finally knew that my animation was selected.  I spent restless nights preparing files required including a web site. And I still stalking, because I couldn't sleep well unless the official selection is published/ posted at the web.  Because few years ago my animation was selected by a local festival but never published in the catalog, and replaced by foreign animation :(

And since the festival didn't provide travel funds, I had to ask around.  I could borrow money from my parents, but they never offers me, and I have a pride, I don't want to ask for money from my parents, especially because they were not interested with my animation :'(.  There was no news for a long time, mostly because it was a busy time, there were so many festival, so I was feeling really down because I thought I would never watch my own animation's world premiere.  And guess what? I waste my money like crazy again.  

I was really stressed when suddenly my boss got creative and sending a meeting invitation at Friday.  I still remember how furious I was, but I still go to Jakarta.  Of course I had a secret agenda which to ask for a "proof of employment" from the human resource.  I need that "proof" for Visa arrangement, just in case.

At October 8th, I was really stressed out, I ask around again (in the middle of the night), and some friends suggest me to make a funding proposal to the government (which actually a very last option).  So I made proposals in bilinguals but then at October 10th, they published the official selection of Dok Leipzig at their web and Ta-daaaaa... finally I got a sponspor to fund my travel.  I cried a lot that day, happy tears.  And I send a notification email to my boss.

So at October 12th I went to Jakarta,  met the sponsors, sign the contract, watch some horror movie at Kineforum, IKJ (I need time to relax, okay?)

At the very next week, I have another email from my boss to meet the human resource in Jakarta.  They complained about my plan to go to Germany.  They said, it wasn't fair if I take a leave when my colleagues are being mutated or laid off, and how I would make the production process disturbed. (oh yes! that sh*tty story!)  But they eventually "give me permission to go", so I went home, prepare to sleep, stalking the embassy site and someone canceled his visa appointment schedule.

I CAN CHANGE  MY VISA APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE!

So at the very next morning, I go back to Jakarta again to make my visa.

I was still working, even harder than before, so that my company wouldn't have anything to complain about my trip to Germany.  I meant lately since I knew that my animation got selected, I've been working harder than usual, because Boss said we have to proof that we are the assets for the company  (oh what a speech).

I barely have any sleep, because I also need to prepare many things when suddenly, there's another call for the Human Resource.

I was in the "angkot", so I have to stop somewhere to take the call, it was raining, and it was almost dark.

The company didn't allow me to go to Germany and they ask for my resignation.  I didn't have any choice.  It's not like I wouldn't go to Germany just because the company didn't approve my leave, but as an employee I did make a lot of mistakes, why they have to ask for my resignation now?

I was at the side of the street, in front of my hairsalon.  I almost do "Britney haircut". NO way.

I sat in the corner, inside the angkot. Try to not cry, when someone played Bruno Mars "Cause your amazing...."

Amazing.

Amazing.

That's the company's name.

I didn't cry that time, I wait until I was home.

I cried when I told my parents.

oh by the way, I didn't try to negotiate, because they ask for my resignation only 3 Days before I go to Germany.  I had no more time and I was exhausted.  It was my 4th time in a month going to Jakarta.  I resigned at the same day I took my passport (with the Visa approval).  I cried a lot. again.

Were I know they would cut me off, I would made Visa for a longer visit, to visit my birthplace.  How could they ask for my resignation after the Visa approved?

But you know, that night I slept real good.

The next day, I was unemployed and although I would get the travel funds, I had not received it.  So I borrow my sister's money to buy the flight tickets. (YES, D-2, I still didn't have the ticket, but the company already laid me off).  Oh, and the company ask for the works to be done before I go to Germany.  I didn't do it.

D-1, I went shopping again with my friend, watching Doctor Strange.  Cursing the company.  Finally I got the travel funds so I can pay my sister's money back.

And D-day, I went to Germany.  And I didn't want to think about that company during the trip.

Will you take the risk of being unemployed to go to Germany?

I bet some of you will say yes.  I will say yes.   I don't regret it.  But it is painful, really.

Oh, please don't be sad if you don't get any souvenirs from Germany, it's not that I don't want to bring you some or I don't care about you, I just can't afford it.  remember... I am unemployed. really.

Crazy October

September passed in a blink, and now is October.
First thing first... I have a website now!!!! So please do come visit it :)

www.dessytab.id

it's my "professional" website.  I couldn't afford a web designer so I tried to make it by myself, and I only had 3 days to make it, so it's impossible to hire a ninja designer with no budget and time.

Someday... if I finally have the budget, I will hire a web designer.  but that after I repair my laptop.

or to be precised, when I finally learn to save money. I'm terrible at saving money.

As you can see from the screenshoot, I made the web for my new animation: Pulang (Going Home).  

Pulang is officially selected by Dok Leipzig 2016 to be screened at the Kid Dok programme.  And it will be a world premiere, so if you are happen to be in Leipzig, please come watch my animation :)

Read more about the film and schedule here

Currently, a lot of people helping me so that I could go to Leipzig, so I am really thankfull.  I still need to care of my Visa right now, and the time is running out, so wish me luck so that I could go to the Dok Leipzig 2016.

in the other hand, things are not looking good with my main job, but let's not spoiled the good news with bad news :)

September Ceriaaaaa

September Ceria means Delightful September. Delightful, happy, cheerful.

It's a rainy season again but my mind is like a clear sky. I'm so happy, it's already September.
From July to January, there would be at least one birthday celebration of my family members.
Time goes by so quickly and when I looked at my blog I feel like I 've been missing a lot of thing because I rarely update it.

SO here's a quick update of what happened so far:
I've been working on some illustrations, clip arts and sticker project for a while.
I wrote some script
I played some video games
I'm still working for that Educational Company (yes, I should be grateful, but I'm not always remember to stay grateful, sorry about that)

AND.... I have instagram now! follow me @zuperdzigh, although I'm a lazy updater.

There's a big probability that my short animation: Pulang will have its world premiere in a special place. but I don't want to write too much about it before I am successfully make the DCP.
and I also have a lot of homework to do, like making trailer, filmography, CV, merchandise, many things I never made before. SO wish me luck ;)

coming soon, maybe next month, maybe next year, just maybe

a short animation.

coming soon.

hopefully.

I took almost 2 years to finish it, not that I was working on it every day.  It started 2 years ago, and I got tons of drama problems during the time.  it's done now.  But after spending so long time to finish it, I still not ready to show it to the world.  Would anybody care to watch it?

A designer who rarely drawing

I rarely drawing.
I made a lot of sketches but rarely finish it as a drawing, sometimes it stays as a rough sketches and the rest ended up as an animation. I rarely just drawing.
I just bought some pencils and suddenly in mood to draw, and I am suprised because I almost not recognize my own drawing, like.. I draw this?
it's not a masterpiece and a lot of people could draw better than me, but I think it's really different than what I usually made.
okay, I have to draw a lot more.

Remotely not Mobile only Remotely without Flexibility

Hi, I'm back!
The grumpy and negative me.

So I started working remotely. Or to be precise, I have been working remotely since last year, only me and one of my colleague working in Bandung, while the other crew are in Bekasi and Jakarta.
And now instead of going to the office, now I am working from home.
My colleague is a nice guy, but spending the office hour only with him is somewhat frustrating.
working in the same room with just the two of us feel suffocating.
I think we are getting along very well but I have this odd personality, that I tend to hate spending too much time with someone else.
Again, he is a nice guy. I am the bad one.

Okay so now I am working totally remotely but not mobile and definitely without flexible working hour.  Let's see what happen next

It Must Have Been Love

Do you know Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love" ?

It's a soundtrack for Pretty Woman.

The lyric was "It must have been love, but it's over now"

I just coincidentally choose this sentence as the title for this post.

If you following my social media activity, you'll know that I complained a lot about my job.

I might be unprofessional because I complained too much, but well, there are jobs that I do because I like to do it, and there are jobs that I need to do for a living.

My job at the company is the last one. 

But I stayed, at least for 4 years. I don't really hate it, so it must have been love.  I love it too much that I started to expect many things. And the problem is, the job is not a human, so it couldn't love me back.

It must have been love, because How could I keep on staying for the last 4 years?

Love is irrational, that's how my relationship between me and my job.  My brain told me to leave, but my heart want to stay.  And I already missed many chances to leave my job.

It must have been love, I'm not ready yet to let it over.

My All Time Favorite Movie

For the last 3 years, I watched a lot of films, went to some Film Festival, and now I'm trying to make my own (animated) film.

I remember my first time going to a movie theater alone and crying, watching Captain Jack Sparrow. Because it was just sad watching a movie alone, far away from home (I was having internship at the News TV programme).

Now I am getting used to go to movie theater alone, and sometimes I prefer watching the movie alone to get better seat and better movie experience especially when watching horror movie.

My friends thought I only watch bloody - gore - horror movie.  Hell no.  I also watch different genre, here's my all time favorite movies:

1.  Back To The Future (1989)

I think a lot of people would claim that they love travelling.  But how about time travelling by a flying car? I always love time travelling movie, and this movie is my favorite of all.  It's funny, with twisted plot, iconic fashion, and manure LOL.

My little sister was born at 1995, and she have watched this movie at least twice, because this is a MUST WATCH movie.  I will hate you if you never watch it.  

Just kidding :*

picture grabbed from wikipedia

2.   Indiana Jones: Temple of Doom (1984)

FRESH MONKEY BRAIN.  That's the first thing in my mind when I think of this movie.  I watched the VHS version, and I love this movie although that time I only understand the Monkey brain scene.  Then watch it over.  And over again on the DVD version, made a comic about it for the illustration class.  And yes, I made my sister watch it several times without Parent Guidance.  This movie inspired me, that I almost submit myself to the archeology program during the National University Selection.

picture grabbed from imdb

3.  Battle Royale (2000)

Somehow I like the concept of being stranded in an island and have to kill your own classmate to survive.  While some of them try to find another way, the other just adapted well and don't hesitate to kill their own friend. Although you spent your days with your classmate, you don't really know them once you are in this Battle Royale arena.

picture grabbed from imdb

4.  13 Beloved (2006)

Another survival horror movie.  This movie is funny, thrilling, and also bloody-awesome.  it's about a  lucky person, who is randomly chosen as a participant of the Game of 13.  Everytime he finished a challenge, he will get more money, the rule is to do whatever the challenge, without letting anybody else know about it.  There is also an Hollywood version of this movie, but forget it, this original, Thailand version is 100 times better.

picture grabbed from wikipedia

5.  Sound of Music (1965)

WHAAAAAT?  Yes.  I love Sound of Music.  And Happy 50th Anniversary!!!  I love singing, and when you sing you begin with Do Re Mi. I spent my school day in Catholic School, so they love screening this movie on many occasions.  My parents have the VHS version, and the movie is divided into 2 VHS.  I like watching the first part.  the second part is too boring.. I meant romantic.

picture grabbed from imdb

I do love Harry Potter series, Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbits too, but it's not a movie that I want to watch over and over.  Maybe not yet.  I wish I could put some animation on the list but... I don't think I have found my favorite animation yet.

Leipzig 2014

So I was preparing a kebaya for some event, called my mom for a suggestion, thinking of going on a diet (NO WAY! LOL) when I got another call.  This time it was from IFI (Institut Français Indonesie),  so my proposal for an animation program got accepted.  There are 3 participant, 2 of them would be sent to Leipzig in a week, and the other one would be sent to Annecy next year.  OKAY it’s a roullete now.  It’s a win win thing. but going to German within a week could be challenging.  As you know Indonesia is a tropical country and it is Autumn in German.  I don’t even have any jacket.  So I called my mom, told her to forget about the Kebaya, I need warm clothes, just in case.

The IFI didn’t call for days, till suddenly at Wednesday I got a call: “Congratulation, you will go to Leipzig next week!”.  I can’t say that I was happy that time. I meant I haven’t prepared anything.  Of course it was exciting, and I’m happy, but I was more panic than happy.  The very next day I have to applied for a Visa.  Thanks to Katrin Sohns from Goethe Institut, the Visa application went smoothly, by Friday we already got the Visa and ticket to go to German at Sunday.  Thanks to Mbak Pia Maria who helped me making a travelling insurance.  Thanks to my Mom who especially prepared a big luggage full of warm clothes that I need even borrowed me  some euros.  Love you, Mom, I can't do anything without you :*

I went to 3 money changer on Friday, 2 of them don’t have any euros.  I wonder why.  Thankfully I got some euros, because my credit card didn’t work in German. I wonder why.

Thanks to the manager at the company, Kak Kus who allow me to take the day off in a short notice.  Cause it could be a once in a lifetime chance, there’s no way to skip it.  I kinda hope this once in a lifetime chance happens more :p

Thanks to my sister and her husband who drive me to the airport.  I met Johan Tri Handoyo at the airport.  Johan is the other participant who went to Leipzig with me.  It’s kinda funny, because it’s the third time we met at an animation event.  The first one was at Increfest, an animation and software festival in Bandung, he won the first prize, I won the best character design.  The second one was at The ASEAN Animation contest, so we both went to Bangkok together, shop together, and now went to Leipzig together again.  By the way, Johan and Me were studied at the same college but at the different year and different subject and both are from Bandung, both have “Tri” as middle name.  It’s strange to hear the recepsionist call me Miss Tri although my family name is Bambang.

Because there’s no direct flight to Leipzig, We took a plane to Abu Dabhi, then another plane to Berlin.  From Berlin we took the ICE Train to Leipzig Hopbahnhof.  It felt like a dream suddenly arrived in a very cold and different place compared to the 33 Celcius Jakarta :)

The Abu Dabhi airport roof, it's really crowded!

a picture of strangers at the Berlin train station LOL.

inside The Berlin Hopbahnhof

Thanks to Johan who is a better communicator, when we have the trouble at the hotel (check-in misscomunication), he took care of it, while me sleep peacefully, not knowing about the problem until next morning.  Thanks to Katrin Sohn again and Verene Lehmkuhl.

So basically we made it to Leipzig thanks to the help of many people :)

We were so tired as we arrived at the Hotel, we took some hours of break before going to the DokLeipzig Opening Ceremony.  

a view from the hotel's window.

OH I missed to write, that the reason we went to Leipzig was to go to 57th DokLeipzig Festival.  It’s a documentary film and animation festival.  To be honest I didn’t know anything about this festival before we go there.  Before we departed from there I was having nightmare because I read that Leipzig is a city for bycicling.  So I tried learning to bike, but failed, ended up having stiff legs.  Thankfully, we don’t have to ride a bike at all because all the venue is in walking distance.  I wanna punch Queen for singing “I want to ride my bycicle” song in my ears.

BYCICLE! BYCICLE! BYCICLE!

 before the opening ceremony of DokLeipzig

Passage Kinos, one of the Dok Leipzig Venue

Everything is amazing.  even the doors are amazingly heavy and big.  During the opening ceremony, there was a screening of Citizen Four, a documentary film about Snowden.  I rarely read news but He was on some news that I accidentaly read, something about how we lost our privacy when we used internet.  The Festival director during the speech said that the film considered ilegal, but we were so lucky to be able to watch it.  Indeed, I’m very lucky :)

The next day, we met Annegret Richter, the head of the Animation category of DokLeipzig.  She told us a lot about the program, and gave suggestion on which program to watch and join.  So, as her suggestion, we booked all of the animation screening program, and went to animaTalk to have a discussion with another animation directors.

It’s hard to pick my favorite animation on the festival because every animation is unique.  The technique and visual approach are very different to common animation in Indonesia.  it’s no longer just about 2D or 3D or stop animation. (I think I will make another post about this).

Since DokLeipzig is originally a documentary film festival, some of the animations are documentary animation.  What so special about the documentary animation is that the animation show things that no longer exist or protect the subject on the animation.  As example, the animation “Suleima” which is a documentary about a female activist in Syria, the identity is hidden and reanimated with the character called Suleima.  The other exciting thing is, this Film Festival is an international film festival, so we could see the world from various side, even the same war could be told in different story. 

The topic is not limited to heavy subject like war or politic, but also about family, love, and life.  Some are seriously funny, you didn’t even think it was actually a documentary like my favorite: Mend and Make Do.

There were also a special program called Animation by Kids. Like the title, the animations are created by Kids, I think they were 9 years old to maybe 16 years old.  The program was in German language without translation, so I don’t really understand.  The theater was full, even some of the parents had to wait outside so the children could watch it.  Me, of course watching it alone, I don’t have kids and I was so worried that they would ask me to get out because I was too old :D

The program shows that everybody could make an animation. it reminds me that animation is not just a moving picture and it’s really fun to make an animation.  I wish someday Indonesia has this kind of project, cause recently animation in Indonesia is not considered as art but more like an industrial product :(

At Saturday, we went to the screening of Jalanan by Daniel Ziv.  The movie is about 3 buskers from Indonesia.  Few months ago this movie was also screened at Chopshots Festival (held by Goethe Institut).  Back then I missed the screening because I was watching documentary animation program at Chopshot, so this time I didn’t want to miss it.  It’s really exciting to watch film about Indonesia created by foreigner and the screened in German.  The audience reaction was very good, some didn’t believe the film, even ask when was the film made, because it was too good to be true.  Because they read how Jakarta is full of violence and intolerance. So thanks to Daniel Ziv who had show a different side of Jakarta :).  I wish I could do that too.

Me, Daniel Ziv & Johan

On Sunday, there were only awarding ceremony and screening, so Johan suggested that we took the tram to sightseeing, so we did.  Leipzig is a vey tranquil and clean town.  It’s as if I was in Professor Layton’s world, except this is German, not UK.  

after 2 hours tram ride, Me and Johan decided to meet another Johann (but with double N), Johann Sebastian Bach.  We visited the Thomaskirche and then the Bach Museum.  The entry ticket was 8 Euro, but it’s really worth it.  Although I never or maybe didn’t aware of any Bach’s Composition, the Museum is really a place to visit.  I really love the interactivity, something that haven’t be applied in Indonesian Museum.  Too bad, we can’t take a picture there.  Jokowi, please send some spies there to learn how to make a fun museum.

 a miniature of Thomaskirche, but I think maybe it's more like a map for blind people, because there are some brailles on it.

Later we went to another museum.  The museum has a lot of collection from Palleolithicum Era, but somehow the English language extinct after the era, so we don’t know what is what.  Then we go upstair to the Modern Year Museum, it’s another fun and interactive museum.  It would be such a shame if the Leipziger never come to the museum since they have very fun museum to visit.

By the way I ate a lot of Sausages while we were in German (I usually living a semi-vegetarian diet in Jakarta, but nobody believe it).  I was surprised when I bought currywurst, because what they meant by curry is more like a lot of sauces, not curry like kari or something like gulai :D

 Currywurst

 umm.. this is not a sausages, I don't know what it was, it's seriously delicious :p

I was planning to buy souvenirs at the Mall after the Museum visit.  The Mall is closed at 6 PM.  That’s really odd for Indonesian or maybe Asian. Cause Asian love late night shopping.  The Mall is also closed at Friday (October 31st), so I’m really sorry that I can’t buy souvenirs for my friends.  At least for me, going abroad or out of town equals shopping time.  Sorry, I can’t do it this time.

I'm partly grateful this shop was closed.  it's too cute!

On Monday, Me and Johan leave Leipzig for Berlin.  We went to Franzoschise Straße to meet Findri, an ex-worker from Goethe Jakarta.  We have lunch at the Ritter Sport Schoko Museum.  Thanks Findri, for spending your time with us and all your help, especially on explaining how cool is Berlin.  I owe you a Nasi Padang :) Using Findri direction, we visited Bradenburgh Gate. YES. WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY VISITED BERLIN :D

We then visited some of the monument nearby, and then go back to the Sunflower Hostel.  The Hostel is very unique.  it’s my very first time staying in a hostel, might not be my last time.  The Hostel owner is into reggae music.  I like reggae, so I kinda feel like a little bit at home, it would be a lot like home if He played dangdut, anyway :p

 there are grafitti in every parts of the hotel. Cool!

The Hostel rules:

"We can provide alarm clock of a deposit at 6 Euro, Or get our special service fo 10 Euro, a personal appearance with bucket of water, a cup of coffee and a smile!"

Earlier in the morning, we checked-out, and then went to the airport.  I have some very last minute shopping. it’s not much but I got this Picture Book about Berlin for my sister.  She loves book, books with words, this book only got pictures but I believe it’s a cool collection.  I don’t like reading but I love bookstore, I visited almost every bookstore, and of course I had to buy a knitting book cause I like knitting.  I don’t understand any words in it,  the shopkeeper (who was very kind and friendly) said “oh so you really like knitting and bla bla bla bla” (in Germany, but I only understand he said I love knitting). I just smiled.

We arrived at Jakarta at 23:08, then I took a DAMRI Bus to Gambir. it was the last bus, so Lucky I got that bus cause there are a lot of fake taxi.  The taxi drivers tried their very best to lie by saying there’s no more shuttle car or Bus.   They lied, of course. There were only 3 passanger, 1 driver and 1 vice-driver (let’s pretend that’s a real term), but I arrived at Gambir safely.  From Gambir, I still need to take the taxi or bajaj.

Bajaj was never the option.  Riding a bajaj from the train station is always more expensive than taking taxi.   They said it’s also dangerous to take a taxi at night, exspecially a random taxi, with no argometer.  Well  if I rode a killer’s vehicle, I would prefer car over bajaj.  Let me  have that luxury. 

The taxi driver tried to scam me, he asked minimum tariff which is 35000 IDR.  it’s a scam because minimum tariff is usually just 15000 IDR.  it’s past midnight, so I don’t have any choice but argued with him.  I think jetlag makes me stupid.  What am I thinking, arguing with a strangers in the middle of the night? I almost cursed him but He took the bargain at 25000 (he’s old, so I can’t really cursed him).  I don’t have 5000 so I paid him 30000 anyway with smile, he smiled too. at least he asked for rupiah not euros.  it’s really nice to be back at the sauna.  My boarding house’s room without AC.

Finally the trip is over.  There are some place that I still want to visit, but there’s no regret cause one way or another I will surely go to Leipzig again, maybe to the DokLeipzig as the participant. Wish Me Luck!

Oh right, I still have to prepare for my Kebaya.  How do I get a Kebaya. Oh My God.

Judi Tahunan

I have an unofficial schedule called: Judi Tahunan (Yearly Gambling).   As you may know I have a fulltime job at an educational software company.  I kinda like this job and I want to keep it as long as I could, but as an artist, I need to have my own project whether yarn related stuff or animation.   I promised myself that I would make at least one animation a year or an amigurumi every months.  The simplest way (not easy, just simple) to get fund for the animation is by sending it to the competition or festival.  Even though I didn’t win I could get a motivation to create the animation and show it to the audience.  Last year my animation got screened at Hellofest 2013, it was the best feeling I ever had as an animator, it felt even better than winning previous contests.

I don’t remember what I’ve done from January to March, I only remember that I started my Judi Tahunan at April 2014 by joining an animation competition held by a book publisher.  It was my very first horror themed animation, inspired by Eunice Nuh’s Poem: Seribu Mata (thousand eyes). the art was inspired by iOS Game: Yearwalk by Simogo.  It’s also the very first time I work with a narrator, Sari Kemala who is also a narrator at the company. The BGM and SFX was created  by Sandi Mardiansyah, a very good friend of mine who was a coworker at ZeusBox Studio.

The character (the girl) is based on Miriam, the girl from “ Si Manis Jembatan Ancol” , a popular ghost TV series back at the 90s.  At the TV series, Miriam braided her hair and she was bringing a food canteen for her boyfriend, a painter, but she got rape by some drunk men and murdered at the Ancol Bridge.  Later she became a ghost, a pretty ghost with white mini dress and long hair.

I didn’t win, but that’s not the worst thing.  Since it is based on a book and copyrighted, I can’t show this animation without screening right by the publisher and the author.  I already contacted Eunice Nuh, the author, and I already show this to her, she says she liked it.  I tried to contact the publisher so I could share it on youtube, and they said they will screened it on their own youtube channel after the contest over.  However, up to this day, this animation remain hidden.  

I though of uploading this animation secretly, and share it as a “cursed” video, so it would go viral, anybody who saw it will have constipation in 7 days.  No… it’s not The Ring :D

Then from May to August I worked on the animation for the ASEAN Animation Festival 2014.  I think I really hit the jackpot, thanks to this Festival, I got not one but two trips to Bangkok :).  I think it’s the best contest I ever joined.  Thailand has the best hospitality as the event holder.  They not only make a great ceremonial event, but also arranged a city tour for the participant.  Now I really love Bangkok and the people.  I also made some friends from the other ASEAN countries. it’s kinda funny we lived as a neighbour but know almost nothing about their culture.  Now I’m considering to visit Myanmar, because the winner of the contest came from Myanmar.  so I really would like to know the place who inspired them.

I became greedy, while waiting for the result for the first round of ASEAN Animation contest, I started making an animation about Earthquake for another animation contest.  I got my bachelor degree by making an animation series about Earthquake, so I still have a lot of references about this topic.  The challenge was to make a new animation about earthquake.  I decided to make a  more fun animation so the character were Bambang Bombay & Brambang.  it’s a pun of my family name: Bambang.  Onion in bahasa called Bawang Bombay, and shallot in bahasa called Bawang Merah or Brambang (if it’s fried).  Bawang. Bambang.  Do you see the similarity? 

why do I use onion or vegetable as the character?  Because I was bored of using animal and human character.  And Nature is the best teacher right? Vegetable and plant are part of the nature.  And... you can't learn about earthquake without knowing that Earth consist of many layers.  As Shrek said, Onion has a lot of layers, right :)

I didn’t finish the animation, because later I was working on the ASEAN animation. but maybe someday I would finish this animation.

From July to September I also worked on some project with my recurrent client.  I was very busy and tired with work, contest, and side project.  So by the end of the project I decided to take a break while sending submission to a residency program.  It felt funny to suddenly not doing anything beside my fulltime job.  So I go shop a lot, watch a lot of movie, even the crappy movie,  it gave a great damage to my wallet :p  I even bought a PS Vita, because I was so bored I didn’t have a mood to knit.

During the shortbreak, I made a very short animation called “Televisi” or Television. a short animation about energy (electricity to be precise).  I made it for Festival Sadar Energi, a festival about saving energy. The animation is done within 2 days, and the sound was made by Sandi Mardiansyah again.  and YEAH, I got a bad pain in the shoulder because of this animation marathon.

The animation didn’t win, but it’s really fun to make the pooping toaster scene.  (I didn’t make a typo).  

The festival was held by the ministry of energy (actually I forgot), and there was an awarding night near the place I lived, but it’s a closed event.  I didn’t got the invitation and I was in my pajamas eating Nasi Padang when the comittee suddenly called me. 

C(Comittee): “Hallo, Dessy, we are waiting for you and the team at the registration desk”

M(Me): “HUH?  What registration desk?”

C: “You are one of the finalist”

M: “But nobody told me that”

C: “HUH? Wait a second, I will call you again”. 

but nobody called me. I never knew what she meant.  it’s just too funny. I skipped a free dinner invitation by ministry.  who am I anyway LOL.

Few days later I got a call from hwbefgertlert  okay let’s skip this story for now for a surprise.  it is some kind of bonus round from a Jackpot machine.  I will tell you later cause I need to prepare a new Kebaya for this event. 

NAH… not a wedding nor an engagement party. it’s bigger than that :p

there are 2 months left before 2014 ends, but I don't think I will participated in any other animation event apart than I already involved.