Tengkorak (Skulls), a science fiction movie produced by UGM Vocational School, has made its way into official selection during Asian film festival, The 12th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival (JAFF).
This film will be run during Special Gala JAFF on 7 December in Empire XXI and on 8 December in Societet Taman Budaya, Yogyakarta.
“After a process of selection, Tengkorak film has made it and been screened along with other films from Japan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and others,” said lecturer in Computer and Information System of Vocational School UGM that also directed the film, Yusron Fuadi, on Monday (27/11).
Tengkorak story hovers over the mystery surrounding the finding of a skull aged 170 thousand years in Java that stirs a debate and confusion among scientists and religious leaders. It also depicts the journey of a girl that is determined to uncover the mystery.
The film has a unique and interesting plot of fantasy that is humorous whilst carrying Yogyakarta local wisdom. It also has the mission to carry new things to Indonesian film industry. The director admitted that the theme of Tengkorak was rare to be found in Indonesian films.
“Among international viewers, science-fiction genre has gone up to the world level and is actually very interesting for many Indonesians. The problem is that very few people in Indonesia are willing to produce this type of film,” he said.
Therefore, he said, this film is deemed to be seen by those that will witness how the young generation of Indonesia can actually produce a work of arts that is not left behind from the works of cinematographers from other countries.
Yusron said this film stemmed from a bold idea that finally gained the attention of people as had been proven by the first day screening that sold out in just two hours.
“If you want an evidence that Indonesia can indeed produce a science-fiction movie, just see the Tengkorak,” he said.
Dean of Vocational School UGM, also producers of Tengkorak, Wikan Sakarinto, said the achievement of the film in the Asian level festival was a pride to all academic members of the School who had worked hard for three years since the start of production.
He said all phases of film production since shooting, animation, editing, to soundtrack production had been done by UGM students under the direction of Yusron and other lecturers. This success has motivated the students to always make good productions.
“This is the real product of the vocational students of UGM. From an idealism and commitment to finish what we’ve started, this is the proof that UGM academic community can actually make a great film,” he said.
With the screening of Tengkorak during the JAFF 2017, he hoped the film would be well received by viewers and earn success in Indonesian film market. The film is planned to be screened in commercial cinemas by next year.