Award Entry “My Own Last Supper” Explores Decades of Memory and Identity

Indonesian director Ismail Basbeth met the media following the world premiere on June 17 of his film My Own Last Supper, a Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition entry at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival.

The drama centers on a 76-year-old widower who shares some of the key reminiscences of his life with his children who have gathered for what he describes as his final dinner. 

Told from the rarely depicted perspective of an Indonesian Chinese family, the film spans four key periods — 1960, 1970, 1998 and 2018, pivotal stages in recent Indonesian history that include national trauma and questions of identity. 

As the story unfolds, the father tells his brood he has chosen the sea as the place where he hopes to reunite with his late wife.

The historical time spans allow Basbeth to focus his realist lens on themes of identity, belonging and the search for meaning across generations.

In keeping with the theme, the cast and crew have diverse backgrounds, some being Indonesia-born Chinese, and others from Sumatra and Java. 

"Language is not only a political tool, but also our culture,” Basbeth said. “We need a universal tool to connect with each other, while embracing our roots and culture."

Film debut actress Jessy Davita, in the role of young Encim, recently completed her studies in Korea and is enthusiastic about her first appearance on screen. She said her aim is to be involved in productions that “truly connect to the audience."