This City Is a Battlefield
2025 film by Mouly Surya
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This City Is a Battlefield (Indonesian: Perang Kota, Dutch: Djakarta 1946) is a 2025 Indonesian war drama film written and directed by Mouly Surya.[1] The film is an adaptation of Jalan Tak Ada Ujung by Mochtar Lubis and is set in 1946, a year after Indonesia proclaimed independence from Dutch and Japanese occupation.[2]
| This City Is a Battlefield | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Indonesian | Perang Kota |
| Directed by | Mouly Surya |
| Written by | Mouly Surya |
| Based on | |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Roy Lolang |
| Edited by |
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| Music by |
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Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 119 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Indonesian |
The film served as the closing film of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam on 8 February 2025, followed by a theatrical release in Indonesia on 30 April 2025. It received ten nominations at the 2025 Indonesian Film Festival, including Best Picture.
Synopsis
Set in Jakarta in 1946, Isa, a 35-year-old former fighter and a violinist, is now an elementary school teacher. His service during the war for independence leaves him with a reputation as a seasoned soldier. His trauma, however, leaves him with impotence.[1]
Cast
- Chicco Jerikho as Isa
- Ariel Tatum as Fatimah
- Jerome Kurnia as Hazil
- Rukman Rosadi as Kamaruddin
- Imelda Therinne as Mayang
- Faiz Vishal as Rakhmat
- Anggun Priambodo as Semedi
- Indra Birowo as Abdullah
- Alex Abbad as Tentara Sepoy
- Dea Panendra as Panca Tirta's wife
- Ar Barrani Lintang as Salim
- Chew Kin Wah as Baba Tan
- Sheila Kusnadi as Baba Tan's daughter
Production
The film marks Mouly Surya's first project that is based on an existing material. To fund the project, Surya sought funding from several sources, such as the Hubert Bals Fund, who also funded her sophomore release What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love in 2013.[2] Additionally, Bangkok-based Purin Pictures also announced in 2020 that they selected the project to receive a US$30,000 production grant.[1]
Release
This City Is a Battlefield began production in late 2019 and was set for a 2020 release.[3] However, it was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][3] In March 2021, Surya stated on Twitter that the film is likely to be pushed back due to the COVID-19 situation.[4]
The film had its world premiere as the closing film of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam on 8 February 2025.[5][6] On 30 April 2025, it was released theatrically in Indonesia.[7]
The film is also selected at the 24th New York Asian Film Festival to be held from July 11 to July 27, 2025 for its North American Premiere.[8]
Accolades
| Award / Film Festival | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Festival Film Bandung | 31 October 2025 | Highly Commended Leading Actress | Ariel Tatum | Nominated | [9] |
| Highly Commended Supporting Actor | Jerome Kurnia | Won | |||
| Highly Commended Cinematography | Roy Lolang | Won | |||
| Highly Commended Art Direction | Frans X. R. Paat | Nominated | |||
| Highly Commended Original Score | Yudhi Arfani and Zeke Khaseli | Nominated | |||
| Indonesian Film Festival | 20 November 2025 | Best Picture | Rama Adi, Fauzan Zidni, Chand Parwez Servia, Willawati, and Tutut Kolopaking | Nominated | [10] |
| Best Director | Mouly Surya | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Jerome Kurnia | Nominated | |||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Mouly Surya | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Roy Lolang | Nominated | |||
| Best Visual Effects | Muhammad Nur Huda | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Score | Zeke Khaseli and Yudhi Arfani | Nominated | |||
| Best Art Direction | Frans XR Paat | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Meutia Pudjowarsito | Nominated | |||
| Best Makeup | Eba Sheba | Nominated | |||
| Film Pilihan Tempo | 26 January 2026 | Best Supporting Actor | Jerome Kurnia | Nominated | [11] |
