Position Among the Stars 2011

In this vibrant yet volatile tapestry, a complex family dynamic unfolds as three generations of Javanese kin navigate a precarious web of cultural, social, and economic disparities within the confines of their modest Jakarta home. At the helm is Bakti (character name), a restless soul whose fixation on his prized Siamese fighting fish mirrors his own existential struggles. Meanwhile, Sri (character name), his long-suffering wife, toils tirelessly at her small food stall, while their orphaned niece Tari (character name) prioritizes the pursuit of trendy blue contact lenses over the prospect of higher education.

As democracy and corruption writhe like a serpent through Indonesia’s streets, Tari emerges as an unlikely beacon of hope. Her academic prowess culminates in a triumphant passing of her final examination, prompting the family to mortgage their home to fund her university aspirations. However, this newfound stability is short-lived, as Bakti and Sri’s already frayed relationship begins to fray further, fueled by petty squabbles over everything from holy water to cooking fuel.

Meanwhile, Dwi (character name), Bakti’s brother, finds himself at the center of a cultural maelstrom when their mother Rumijah introduces her young grandson Bagus to Christian prayers, threatening to upend the boy’s Muslim upbringing. As tensions simmer and near-chaos erupts in the kitchen – where oil gives way to cheaper gas, nearly sparking a blaze – Bakti seizes the opportunity to drag his estranged mother back from their ancestral village to take charge of young Bagus and impart traditional values on Tari as she prepares for her graduation and college applications. Will this unlikely blend of cultural heritage, personal ambition, and family drama forge a new path forward for this resilient Javanese family?