On August 29, 2025, Layar Institut Seni Indonesia unfolded in full force. The cool Yogyakarta night, 245 unwavering pairs of eyes, and a screen standing tall at the heart of the Boulevard campus. This was more than just a film screening it was a statement. A cinema space does not always need thick walls; sometimes, it only needs people willing to sit and watch.
Through Modong, Diana Fitrianingsih offers a unique perspective that reveals more than just trauma and social stigma. By portraying mental illness as a deeper form of representation, the film invites viewers to trace the turbulence of Modong’s emotions.
This documentary is presented with striking simplicity. As viewers, it is easy to grasp the message Yusuf Jacka Ardana seeks to convey.
The film captures a powerful emotional bond across generations. With its depiction of a pressing issue that resonates strongly with today’s reality, the story reflects situations many of us may find ourselves in torn, like Umar, between honesty and pragmatism. The director makes it clear that the audience is meant to feel Umar’s moral dilemma.
Willingly or not, one must keep moving forward. Perhaps this line best illustrates how women who are already ensnared in this cycle must endure. Stigma and judgment have become inevitable, and their actions are constantly questioned. Yet, as voiced in the narration, they themselves often do not know what else they can do.
One of the central issues in our present condition is blind love and relationships without foresight. There are no lasting gains only fleeting satisfaction between individuals, alongside a wider cycle in which bodies are commodified. Perhaps it is this reality that drove director Agni Nurhalisah to create the documentary Like Bones.
One thing the Writer understands is this: when a narrative explicitly explains that social media drives individuals to strive for authenticity, it reveals a fundamental truth everyone longs to be felt, to be acknowledged in their existence. There are many ways to achieve this, one of which is through selfies on social media.
Yogyakarta, August 29, 2025 – After traveling to three cities across Java and visiting various film communities in Yogyakarta, Sewon Screening finally returned home with the Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Screen program. This event took place at the ISI Yogyakarta Boulevard, right in front of the Rectorate Building. The ISI Screen was an extension of the Faculty Screenings previously held by Sewon Screening, combining the Faculty of Fine Arts Screen and the Faculty of Performing Arts Screen to represent the diverse artistic expressions nurtured at ISI Yogyakarta.
Yogyakarta, July 20, 2025 – Serving as the highlight of the Grebek Komunitas series, Grebek Massal wrapped up the outreach program with a grand film screening event. In collaboration with Sender Coffee, the event welcomed local film communities and the general public from Yogyakarta to enjoy an evening of screenings and networking. This gathering offered a valuable space for young filmmakers to build connections and explore future collaborations.
Yogyakarta, July 20, 2025 – Bringing a fresh burst of energy at the beginning of its new decade, Sewon Screening 11 launched a special program titled “Grebek Komunitas”, held in mid-July. The program visited three universities in Yogyakarta and collaborated with local film community forums. Among them were Kine Klub UMY (Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta), EMAC EDSA UNY (Yogyakarta State University), and Forum Film MMTC (Multimedia Training Center). This initiative served as a form of appreciation for the film community ecosystem that has supported and collaborated with Sewon Screening since its inception a decade ago.
