What is the plot of the Indonesian film 'Ibu'?

'Ibu' follows three generations of women in Yogyakarta wrestling with inherited identity, secrets, and generational trauma, centered around a daughter's return home.

Who is the director of the film 'Ibu'?

Kanya Iwana, an Indonesian multidisciplinary artist, is making her feature directorial debut with 'Ibu'.

Where was the film 'Ibu' selected?

'Ibu' was selected for the JAFF Future Project at this year's JAFF Market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

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Generational Trauma Unravels in Indonesian Family Drama

30 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Three generations of women grapple with inherited identity in 2011 Yogyakarta.
A daughter returns home to confront her mother, grandmother, and sister.
The film explores loss, traditions, secrets, and generational trauma's impact.

Generational Trauma Unravels in Indonesian Family Drama

Kanya Iwana's directorial debut, 'Ibu,' is set to premiere at the JAFF Future Project, focusing on the complex dynamics within a three-generation Indonesian family. The narrative centers on Maya, a widow who prioritized tradition over her own ambitions, and her daughter Tash, who fled to Los Angeles seeking freedom.

Upon Arief's death, Tash returns to Yogyakarta, where she confronts not only her manipulative mother but also her formidable grandmother Dewi and teenage half-sister Inez. The family's hidden tensions erupt during a prayer ceremony, revealing long-suppressed fears and secrets that have shaped their lives.

The film, a co-production between Indonesia and the U.S., intricately explores themes of loss, tradition, stigma, and the pervasive effects of generational trauma. Iwana aims to depict the raw journey of breaking these cycles, highlighting the universal desire for love and acceptance.