\u201cMemories of My Body,\u201d directed by Garin Nugroho, has been selected to represent Indonesia at the Academy Awards in the international feature film category (previously best foreign-language film). The announcement was made 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 usually performed in pairs, with men often taking 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
It has 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