Entertainment · Film · 1 day ago
‘Ibuku’ follows a mother trying to reach her daughter in a Saudi prison
“Ibuku” is a drama by Indonesian writer-director Eddie Cahyono about a mother and daughter separated by migration and family hardship.
Sumiati, played by Christine Hakim, is a recent widow living in a village in Indonesia.
She learns that her daughter Sri, who went to Saudi Arabia for work, has been sentenced to death for killing her employer, whom the film describes as a would-be rapist.
Sumiati cannot afford to visit because of her late husband’s gambling debts, so she borrows money from fellow villagers.
The story links Sri’s situation to the abuse and exploitation of migrant workers, as well as pressures within their families.
Sumiati regrets arranging Sri’s marriage in an attempt to escape debt and failing to protect her from abuse.
The film follows her effort to reach her daughter, but the provided information does not say what happens next.
“Ibuku” is the fourth film from Indonesian writer-director Eddie Cahyono.
The film follows Sumiati, a recent widow trying to raise money to visit her daughter Sri in a Saudi prison.
Sri was sentenced to death for killing her employer, whom she had described as a would-be rapist.
The story explores Sumiati’s regret over her role in Sri’s arranged marriage and departure to work abroad.
The film premiered in Competition at the Busan Film Festival.
- Who
- Sumiati, played by Christine Hakim, tries to reach her daughter Sri, played by Ayushita Nugraha.
- What
- The film follows Sumiati’s efforts to raise money to visit Sri, who has been sentenced to death in a Saudi prison.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- The story is set in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia; the film premiered at the Busan Film Festival.
- Why
- Sumiati wants to see her daughter, while carrying regret over failing to protect her from abuse and an arranged marriage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sri leaves home to work in Saudi Arabia after an abusive arranged marriage.
Sumiati discovers that Sri has been sentenced to death for killing her employer and would-be rapist.
Unable to afford a visit because of her late husband’s gambling debts, Sumiati borrows money from villagers to try to see Sri.
- Film
- Ibuku,” the fourth film by Indonesian writer-director Eddie Cahyono
- Lead role
- Sumiati is played by Christine Hakim
- Daughter
- Sri is played by Ayushita Nugraha
- Prison
- Sri is held in Saudi Arabia
- Festival
- Premiered in Competition at the Busan Film Festival











