Maryam

Maryam (Bioskop Merdeka Film production, 2014), Duration: 18 minutes, In Indonesian-­‐with English subtitles Cast and Crew Meyke Vierna – Maryam Adrianto Sinaga – Tuan Damiana Widowati – Kakak Writer/Director: Sidi Saleh Producer: Amalia Trisna Sari Cinematographers: Sidi Saleh & Billy Siregar Artistic Directors: Vida Sylvia Sound Recordist: Syahrizal Pahlevi Sound Assistant: Iron Sugala Music Composer: Dimas Achonk Location Manager: M Rasidy & Ferdiansyah ‘Popoy’ Editing : Kusen Donny Hermansyah Sound Designer: M Ichsan ‘Doyok’ English Subtitles Translator: Naomi Lee Italian Subtitles Translator: Erlip Vitarsa Poster Designer: Desli Ar Audio Post: Crossfade Post Production: Pyramid Post Production Notes Maryam (or often called by Yam, played by Meyke Vierna) is a character in the short film by Sidi Saleh (born in Jakarta, 5 April 1979), which tells the story of a household help instructed to take care of her employer (Tuan, or Master, played by Adrianto Sinaga) on Christmas Eve. Between them stands a wall of differences in social and cultural background, as well as in faith and physical limitations. On the evening, Yam has to take full responsibility of her master. Maryam was shot on 24 and 26 December 2013, and was finished in March of 2014. The film, according to the filmmaker, rode on the momentum of the 2013 Christmas Eve in Jakarta, which provided natural settings for a number of key scenes. This method saved a considerable amount of budget, since many rituals or situations did not need to be staged or recreated. Of course, the crew members were required to move efficiently among the swarm of parish doing the mass. The production received full support from the Cathedral management. On 6 September 2014, Maryam won the Orizonti Award for Best Short Film at the 71st Venice Film Festival. Initially, the festival was a part of Venice Biennale, and was first held in 1932. Only in 1935 did the festival have a competition segment. Since then, the Venice Film Festival has been encouraging the public to see films from around the globe, as a work of art, entertainment and an element of the industry. This is reflected in the members of the judging panel, which expands beyond film workers. Multiple Oscar-­‐nominated composer Alexandre Desplat serves as president of the jury this year. Author Jumpha Lahiri, actors Tim Roth and Joan Chen are among the jury members for the Venezia 71 category (for feature films). Heading the jury for the Orizonti Award is Chinese director Ann Hui, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. The board of judges for this segment also comprises of various backgrounds, which includes The Sopranos scriptwriter David Chase, Star Wars Episode 1 cast member Pernilla August, Turkish film critic Alin Tasciyan, and Israeli actress Moran Atias. As expressed by a number of film observers, as well as jury members and festival organizers, Maryam set a record at this year’s Venice Film Festival. The committee admitted to having to put extra efforts into screening films from Southeast Asia. Having Maryam in the festival is not only significant in supporting the vision of the Venice Film Festival, but the film also made a remarkable achievement. To this day, major film festivals are not known for selecting titles by unknown filmmakers, or by those outside of Europe or the United States. By winning one of the highest recognitions in this year’s Venice Film Festival, selected from thousands of entries in the short film category, Maryam has made an important statement. Maryam at Festival -Orrizonti 71 Mostra Intenazionale d’Arte Cinematografica 2014,Venice. - Clermont-Fd Internasional Short film competition 2015.France. - Ozu international short film festival 2014, Italy - Short Films of The Vilneus international film festival 2015 Lithuania - Tertio Millennio Film Festival 2014, Roma. - Sleepwalkers Short Film Festival 2014, Tallinn. -JAFF NETPAC Jogja 2015.