Successfully defending one’s thesis is a requirement for graduation. The reason for this is most likely due to the opinion that exposition courses sharpen one’s ability to shape a text into a cohesive narrative. They also need to structure it logically: the content gets sorted out into sequential parts, something which paralells the youth’s need to express themselves consistently. completion of the course triggers the need to ensure the words contained in a document synthesize into a complete final work. The document must be both a reflection of one’s scholarly findings and the candidate’s view on the subject. A text that holds the candidate’s thesis and is titled the thesis statement, is not a. candidate’s. work. A candidate doesn’t write a document. A document, which is a substantiated response to the query posed in the thesis statement, must be accurate and substantiated in all its parts. How this is achieved is not of great importance. What is of importance, however, is that the work reflects the actual approach to structuring a document lies in dissecting it into parts, each of which must be narrated logically.
Introduction
Indonesian supernatural drama film Sewu Dino, released in 2023, has its script written and directed by Kimo Stamboel. The film is inspired by, and named after, a viral story on social media, “A Thousand Days.” The sentence suggests that there is a ritual which, once begun, must be done without a pause for 1000 days in order to protect the performer from a curse.
While the film is very much a work of fiction, it remains anchored to the Indonesian culture and traditions and belief system. The story Sewu Dino tells is very much concerned with people, their abstract and emotional connection to the customs, and the burden of tradition. This is done without eye-popping visuals, and the almost mythical story telling!
Plot Summary
Mythology and supernatural beliefs believe and hold that each soul that is born, dies and is reborn, must reside in a single earthly body. In a single body for multiple lives. Shree, portrayed by Mikah Tambayong, is born on a Kliwon Friday, which on the traditional calendar holds enormous shadows of spirituality, ascends a career on a path that, for each, is claimed to be the aim of each woman.
She now accompanied two other young women, Erna and Dini, who had also been chosen for the same position. They are escorted to a secluded cabin deep within the woods, where they learn the unsettling truth. They must carry out a spiritual cleansing ritual for a Dela Atmojo, a spiritually afflicted girl who is currently in an unresponsive state. For an uninterrupted period of one thousand days, she must be made to undergo the Sewu Dino ritual.
There are specific theocratic daily exercises and devotionals involved in the ritual that must be performed in order to retain the learner’s spiritual and bodily integrity. The protectors are cautioned to keep the ritual and the steps involved within the boundaries of the circle, completing each duty. In this case, there is negative and possibly detrimental, and therefore, ominous, consequences for all participants in the ritual.
Sri, on the other hand, continues to perform her tasks no matter what is happening around her. The thing she seems to focus on most is the fact that there is an eerie forest and within it, there is an all-knowing being that is not visible. Out of the other two women, Erna and Dini, there are two opposed extremes of reactions that lie on either end of an imaginary line that crosses and just touches the tension. There are those who are in a state of paralysis or possess an unquenchable thirst for it.
Over the course of the narrative, the relationship of the three women develops. They reminiscence about the past, recounting the challenges they faced and the dreams they intend to achieve. Even during the difficult times, they assist one other and make an effort to remain resilient.
As the completion of the thousand days approaches, new questions begin to surface about the origin of the ritual and the Atmojo family’s involvement, as well as the consequences of a possible malfunction. Sri faces the dilemma of choosing to blindly adhere to the custom and tradition, or disobeying and trusting her intuition.
The final scenes of the film contemplate the loss of the rituals, and offer a more profound contemplation of loyalty, tradition, and faith.
Sri: The profound protagonist of the film whose kindness and deep sense of responsibility stands out. Sri considers this care more a calling than just a job to earn a salary.
Erna: One of the other caretakers, friend of Sri. She has friendship with and faith in the ritual, even when she does not completely understand it.
Dini: The most vigilant of the three. She doubts and expresses reluctance towards the peculiar events taking place around them.
Dela Atmojo: The focal point of the ritual is a young girl who stays mute. Nevertheless, her very existence breathes life into the tale.
Karsa Atmojo: Dela’s grandmother, who keeps the ritual alive. She is the whisper of the past, tradition, and of strictness.
Analysis of Central Ideas and Important Features
- The ability to listen and attend to someone.
An oath is a fundamental concept in the story. The ritual is a lengthy and emotionally draining process. The determination, Sri, demonstrates is the kind of bravery and resolve which is valued.
- Cultural Practices and Religion
This film incorporates Javanese culture and customs in abundance. The narrative is fictional; however, it demonstrates the ways and rituals societies shrouded in mystery might have used.
- Companionship
The triad users develop a close connection through the bonds of shared history. The ladies, who in the beginning had no prior association, eventually helped each other. The bond is easily one of the film’s most gratifying aspects.
- Self conviction
One does not describe Sri as a traditional hero. She does, however, sustain and support the narrative through her quiet bravery. She is quite peculiar, as she chooses to confront the unfathomable with tenderness and strength.
- Decisions and their Outcomes
Even though every character follows the same ritual, they do still have some options. These options—whether rooted in devotion, dread, or affection—realistically impact the character and cause them to develop in some fashion.
Visual Style and Setting
The movie takes place in a dimly lit dense forest and an aged wooden cottage, which offers an ambiance of enigma and tranquility. The components of nature—trees, wind, and shadow—serve to amplify a feeling without the use of modifiers.
The garments are modest and simplistic, indicative of country life and an association to much earlier time traditions. The instrumentation is delicate and often soft, using customary instrumentation to dictate the audiences feelings.
The film offers no jump scares or loud noises. It focuses more on elements of discomfort that silence, emotional reactions, and layers of ambiguity can create.
Reception and Impact
Sewu Dino was praised in Indonesia and the surrounding nations of Southeast Asia. It differentiated itself by concentrating on story and cultural detail rather than extravagant pageantry. It is noted that the film was able to leave much of the exaggeration that is often layered over conventional portrayals of those beliefs.
The recognition of the value of ‘Sewu Dino’ rested unequivocally on the film’s powerful ability to stimulate discourse on the value of respecting culture while also critically interrogating the age-old practices. To the children, it sought to provide an introduction to folklore that balanced pedagogy with delight.
Sewu Dino’s primary message involves more than just the rituals. It is also about responsibility, camaraderie, and faith. Through the character of Sri, the film highlights that the peace that one carries within, can also be gifted to the world, if one is ready to fight the odds.
The film is a gentle, yet powerful reminder of the gratitude that should be accorded to traditions, and also the concepts of assisting fellow human beings, and the unexpected strength that can be born from facing difficult issues with a measure of tenderness and truth.
No matter the acquaintance that an individual has/does not have with Indonesian culture, the film articulates a powerful message which transcends culture: that the meeting of co-existing energies that is sincere, brave, and compassionate, can allow one to navigate through untrodden paths that heal.
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