Indonesia Selects 'Empat Musim Pertiwi' as Its 2027 Oscar Entry
JAKARTA — Indonesian film Empat Musim Pertiwi, directed by Kamila Andini and produced by Ifa Isfansyah, has been selected as Indonesia’s entry in the Best International Feature Film category for the 2027 Academy Awards.
Produced by Forka Films, the film follows Pertiwi, played by Putri Marino, as she returns to her hometown after spending 20 years in prison.
Her return becomes the starting point for a journey through trauma, unresolved memories and the search for a sense of belonging in a community that has also changed in her absence.
“Pertiwi is a woman who has to confront her past and rediscover herself. Coming home does not always mean returning as the same person,” Putri Marino said in comments about the film.
Andini, who previously directed the Indonesian series Gadis Kretek, said the story explores injustice and collective trauma while also examining how people can find strength through difficult experiences.
“What happens to Pertiwi speaks about injustice. There is collective trauma,” Andini said.
“But through Pertiwi’s journey, we can see how someone, even in a vulnerable position, can find strength and eventually become a source of strength for others,” she added.
A Genre-Bending Journey
Set against the landscape of Mount Bromo in East Java, Empat Musim Pertiwi combines elements of drama, suspense thriller, mystery and science fiction.
The film also uses Western-inspired costumes and the rugged Bromo landscape to shape the visual identity of Pertiwi’s journey after her release from prison.
Producer Ifa Isfansyah said the film’s genre-blending approach was intended to create a more immersive experience for audiences and allow them to follow Pertiwi’s emotional transformation.
“Behind the immersive cinematic experience, audiences have found elements that relate to the situation today. I hope the film can remind us of the importance of looking after one another,” Ifa said.
The film has already held special screenings in Indonesia, with the producers saying tickets for the limited screenings sold out.
International Festival Run
The Oscar selection comes as Empat Musim Pertiwi embarks on a series of appearances at international film festivals.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and is scheduled to screen at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on Oct. 8, the same day it opens in Indonesian cinemas.
Its festival run will also continue at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Singapore International Film Festival later this year.
The international festival circuit marks another step in Andini’s growing presence in international cinema.
Putri Marino Takes on Pertiwi
Putri Marino said she approached the role by trying to understand the psychological weight carried by a woman who has experienced years of hardship.
Although Pertiwi is still a young woman, Marino said the character has been shaped by experiences that have made her emotionally older than her age.
“One of my ways into the character was through reading books, to understand what Pertiwi might be feeling and experiencing,” Marino said.
The film also stars Arya Saloka, Christine Hakim, Hana Malasan, Shofia Shireen, Nagra Pakusadewo, Dwika Pradnyana, Maryam Supraba, Hanna Aretha, Totos Rasiti, Iswadi Pratama, Hargi Sundari, Ayub Antoh and the late Donikus.
At the center of the story is the question of what happens when someone returns to a place they once left behind.
For Pertiwi, coming home is not simply a physical return. It becomes an attempt to confront the past, understand the wounds it left behind and find a new place for herself.
With its combination of psychological drama, mystery and genre elements, Empat Musim Pertiwi uses that journey to explore the relationship between trauma, memory and resilience.
The film will open in Indonesian cinemas on Oct. 8, 2026, while continuing its international festival journey and Indonesia’s campaign for the 2027 Academy Awards.
By: Aiko
