Cinema
Leaf on a Pillow
Daun di Atas Bantal
Garin Nugroho · 1998
Synopsis
In Yogyakarta, the former capital of Javanese royal tradition, three street children, Kancil, Heru and Sugeng, survive by begging, taking odd jobs and using drugs. Unruly and motherless, they find refuge in the workshop of Asih, an energetic vendor who gives them a little affection, and dream of a better future, perhaps through school, among greedy, indifferent and selfish adults.
Context
Produced by Christine Hakim, her first production, who also plays Asih, the film is based on real events; the three boys, real street children, all but play themselves. Written by Armantono and Garin Nugroho, shot by Nur Hidayat to music by Djaduk Ferianto, it is dedicated to the street children of Indonesia and the whole world. Shown in 1998 in the Un Certain Regard section, it was released in France in February 1999 as Feuille sur un oreiller.
Who it is for
To look squarely at the lives of Indonesian street children, filmed with them rather than about them.
Prizes and reception
The film won the special jury prize in Tokyo in 1998, then, at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival, those for best film and best actress.