Money makes the world go round and the lack of it could at times make one develop suicidal tendencies. Filmmaker Teguh Karya's film Behind the Mosquito Net tries to portray how professional failure can take away the independence of spirit, peace of mind and ultimately the desire to live.
Indonesian film Behind the Mosquito Net, screened during the opening day of Osian's film festival in New Delhi, deals with the life of a couple trapped in the cobweb of a materialistic society.
Newly married Nurlela is forced to live with her husband, Hasan, at her parents' house. To make their two ends meet, Hasan is leading a tough life. Nurlela on the other hand wants to resume her old job that she left after her marriage. Hasan, however, is reluctant to let her work and this becomes a bone of contention between the two.
The film reminds us of Bollywood movies like Chalte Chalte and Raja Hindustani that discusses troubled relationship between a couple due to financial causes.
However, Behind the Mosquito Net seems to portray real life characters that convince us of their circumstances and sufferings.
Director Teguh Karya is able to elicit brilliant performances from each of his characters. While Hasan excels in subtlety, Nurlela handles the emotional moments very well.
{{/usCountry}}Director Teguh Karya is able to elicit brilliant performances from each of his characters. While Hasan excels in subtlety, Nurlela handles the emotional moments very well.
{{/usCountry}}The pace of the film is leisurely but gripping. It is a quite a realistic presentation of a fiction that leaves an impression.
The screening of the film at the Osian's festival was a tribute to Indonesian actress Christine Hakim.