Behind the Mask
At a glance
Johan Ramandias (director/ writer) | Wenny Sunarharum (screenwriter) | Australia | 2016
Suitable for
Length
10 mins 11 secs
Language Level
Standard Indonesian spoken clearly in voice-over and some conversation with a learner of Indonesian language. Most language would be readily accessible for intermediate learners. Available for viewing with and without subtitles.
Themes
Australia-Indonesia relations / Family / Friendship / Identity / Youth
Ari, an Indonesian mask dancer, is an international student in Australia. She feels lonely in a new country and doesn’t know how to approach new people. She thinks that things would be easier if she had the dance mask back that she has lost. Jane is a local student at the same university as Ari and is also a mask dancer. She is unsuccessful at first in her attempt to engage Ari in conversation but when she finds the diary Ari has dropped, she sees a way to build a friendship with her.
Characters
Ari and Jane. Two of Jane’s university friends also appear but do not speak.
Setting
An unnamed city – visual clues suggest it is Brisbane.
Teaching Materials
Keywords
budaya, culture, culture shock, dance, friendship, homesickness, international students, mahasiswa internasional, penari, persahabatanReelOzInd! Australia Indonesia Short Film Competition and Festival seeks to raise awareness and improve understanding between the peoples of both countries.