"Leaf on a Pillow" reaffirmed my faith in the ability of South-East Asian film-makers. It is a grim, touching story about the plight of Indonesian street kids. The film depicts a society where livelihood is dependent on small businesses, and petty crime is a downright institution. In the mean streets of Yogyakarta, senseless violence is a GIVEN. <p> Watching this is a harrowing experience, from the opening scenes of a D-I-Y piercing, to the ultimate uncovering of a Government conspiracy. It's not quite as shocking as Tran Anh Hung's "Cyclo", but it's much more brutal in the way it deals with day-to-day injustices.
The director owes much to Scorsese. He uses rich, brown hues and dramatic lighting, creating a glum, rustic atmosphere, amidst the low-rent urban sprawl. You really feel for the homeless street children, and their aging, resilient den-mother.
"Leaf on a Pillow" is an example of simple, well-crafted narrative cinema. There is no hard-ass street lingo, or fancy slow-mo gunfights-- just great film-making.This movie brought a tear to my eye-- not very common, in an age of CGI and digital gimmickery.
The director owes much to Scorsese. He uses rich, brown hues and dramatic lighting, creating a glum, rustic atmosphere, amidst the low-rent urban sprawl. You really feel for the homeless street children, and their aging, resilient den-mother.
"Leaf on a Pillow" is an example of simple, well-crafted narrative cinema. There is no hard-ass street lingo, or fancy slow-mo gunfights-- just great film-making.This movie brought a tear to my eye-- not very common, in an age of CGI and digital gimmickery.