Lovely Man

A devout Muslim, 19-year-old Cahaya arrives in Jakarta looking for her father who has been supporting her financially, but whom she has not seen since she was a baby. Finally finding him, she discovers her father Saiful is now a transvestite prostitute named Ipuy instead. The primary shock quickly evolves into her effort to become closer to him, which Saiful/Ipuy is strongly opposed to, commencing a drama of out-of-character behavior. Besides this surprising encounter, both Ipuy and Cahaya have to deal with the rather hapless decisions of their recent past. Donny Damara won the Best Actor Award for his charming portrayal of Ipuy at this year’s Asia Film Festival, while the young Raihaanun Soeriaatmadja does not fall far behind in her role as a model girl who is always ready to hide her problems behind a chaste smile. Lovely Man is about the importance of strengthening family bonds above any other commitments, and though being a dramatic story, does not lack in sharp, witty dialogue.