In a tradition passed down through generations, a stage is set an arena where cheers erupt, and wagers are placed. It is a space that calls upon human ego, where the louder the crowd roars, the higher the stakes rise. Such is the world presented in the film Sabung Raptor.
The story begins with Farhan, who is struggling financially. He borrows money just to buy a bowl of chicken noodles. When he shares his troubles with his friend Agung, he is quickly offered an unusual solution: join the raptor fighting matches Sabung Raptor. In the arena, Farhan meets Fredo, who becomes his opponent. Agung boasts about the prowess of his raptor, and Fredo, unwilling to lose face, follows suit. Their egos soon clash within the raptor arena.
Directed by the Berak Brothers, Sabung Raptor delivers a bold and uniquely absurd narrative. It draws inspiration from a long-standing tradition in Indonesian culture, wrapping it in satire and sharp comedic flair. The result is a hilariously ironic spectacle that provokes both laughter and reflection.
The audience is invited into the frenzy of the match cheering crowds, adrenaline, and the pride of two raptors battling on behalf of their masters. But just as the excitement peaks, the film delivers a surprising twist: the raptors turn against their owners. No longer mere extensions of human pride, they rebel, colluding to break free from the oppressive tradition that has bound them for so long. This moment becomes a striking, almost tragic, climax that pierces the conscience.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its fearless defiance of logic and realism, while still managing to deliver a meaningful message. By combining elements of absurdist comedy with sharp social commentary, the Berak Brothers demonstrate that film is more than just entertainment it can also be a mirror for society.
Beneath the laughter it elicits, Sabung Raptor powerfully reminds us that even those we believe to be voiceless will one day speak or even bite back.
By Nazwa Bilqis Salsabila
Editor Satya Din Muhammad
Translator Debytha Nela Mv.
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