\u201cMemories of my Body\u201d directed by Garin Nugroho has been selected to represent Indonesia at the Academy Awards in the best foreign-language film category. The announcement was made on Tuesday by actress Christine Hakim representing the Indonesian Film Selection Committee.<\/p>\n
The fact-based film depicts the story of a young man from a dance troupe that performs Lengger Lanang, a folk dance from central Java that is usually performed in pairs, and in which men often take both male and female roles. It is based on the real story of Rianto, a dancer who was abused as a child, explored masculinity and femininity while growing up, and endured traumatic experiences, discrimination and violence. Rianto himself plays the dancer as an adult and narrates the film.<\/p>\n
But it proved deeply controversial with Islamic religious groups, which labeled it \u201cdeviant\u201d and \u201cpromoting LGBT values.\u201d It was banned in five provinces.<\/p>\n
Despite that stigma, the selection committee said that its decision was unanimous and praised the film, also known as \u201cKucumbu Tubuh Indakhu,\u201d for its depiction of emotions. \u201cIt is out of the ordinary,\u201d said Hakim. \u201cIdioms in Indonesia are abundant, and the film introduced our rich culture, along with its strong message.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMemories\u201d premiered last year in the Venice Film Festival\u2019s Horizon section, where it won the prize for best film, and was nominated for the Queer Lion prize. Its awards also include the Montgolfiere d\u2019Or Award for best film at the Festival des 3 Continents in France and the Cultural Diversity Award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. In partnership with the APSAs, \u201cMemories of My Body\u201d was also screened for UNESCO in Paris, in December.<\/p>\n
Nugroho is one of Indonesia\u2019s best-known art-house directors, and \u201cMemories\u201d is his second film to be selected to represent the country, after his 1998 title \u201cLeaf on a Pillow.\u201d Indonesia has been selecting films for Oscars contention in most years since 1987. None has received a nomination.<\/p>\n