The mirror tells the truth

“I want to be a sea turtle, carrying my home wherever I go.”

Uplifting and visceral, The Mirror Never Lies has proven Kamila Andini’s artistry in moulding her directorial debut.

Sets in Wakatobi (Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia), The Mirror Never Lies brings the story of a 12-year-old girl named Pakis (introducing Gita Novalista) who keeps on believing that her long lost father is still alive. Pakis herself comes from a Bajo tribe; an Indonesian ethnic group who lives above the sea on stilts-houses and whose bread and butter comes from the ocean.

Along with the protagonist stands Lumo (Eko), an effervescent friend of Pakis who demonstrates to live life the way it is—as a naïve child. Pakis’ mother, Tayung (starring the eminent Indonesian star, Atiqah Hasiholan), on the other hand is adamant to believe that her husband has dead and decides to continue with life. Yet, with the presence of a dolphin researcher later in film, Tudo (award winning Reza Rahadian), she begins to disclose herself.

Hasiholan and Rahadian bestow souls upon their characters although their performances aren’t exceptional. Even though they’re the only professional actors in the film, it doesn’t deter the fact that they are dimmed by the chemistry between the pensive Pakis and cheeky Lumo.

"Who could not adore Lumo and his singing friend [when they attempt to court Pakis]? Such a funny and clever way to depict the emotional issues brewing or the adults as well as the children," says Shannon Keebaugh, one of the viewers.

Andini’s decision to use local amateur actors (Novalista and Eko) as the protagonists which seemed precarious onset proves to be the best approach for the film at the end of the day.

Adding more to the genuine characters are the striking shots. Andini succeeds to cover the eye-pampering scenic of Indonesian ocean. Several scenes which appear to be immaterial to the plot—such as the long-lasting part where Lumo plays with his pet bird—highlight the social lives of the Bajonese and become essential to form the entire film.

"In Indonesia, because we are an archipelago country, the sea is also our connector -- not our separator. I wanted to develop that. I wanted to develop a harmony between human relations," says Andini in an interview with FilmInk.

However, the slow-paced plot has a potential to doze off the audience. While MIFF recommends viewers of this film to be age 12+, the enigmatic substance of the film is unfathomable for teen viewers. Andini toys with the Bajo cultural element that generates several metaphors in the film. For instance, Tayung’s white mask conveys more than a mere make-up: it rather conveys Tayung’s sorrow of her husband’s death and guilt over her incapability as a mother to Pakis. This aspect then remains concealed until the end.

Still, The Mirror Never Lies worth the attention. The film’s atmosphere really portrays placidity, which is a rare dish among most-sought blockbuster films. Kamila Andini is definitely a new director to keep an eye out for.