Generational tension comes to the fore in Tumpal Tampubolon’s atmospheric debut focusing on the relationship between a neurotic mother and her son as life in their crocodile park starts to crumble.
Tumpal Tampubolon’s slow-burning debut explores the emotional complexities that can exist between mothers and sons… Taut, suspenseful, and thrilling.
Crocodile Tears 2024
Air mata buaya
Presented in association with
Royal Thai Embassy
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Johan (Yusuf Mahardika) lives and works in a seemingly rarely visited crocodile park in Western Java owned by his intensely overbearing mother. When he meets the orphaned and down on her luck Arumi (Zulfa Maharani) Johan starts to think of a life outside of his day-to-day routine caring for the reptiles. Soon Arumi is pregnant and moves into the park, interrupting the neurotic co-dependency of mother and son. The unique setting of the crocodile farm, lovingly shot by cinematographer Teck Siang Lim shows us a side of life that is rarely seen in cinema.
A gripping, tense and atmospheric drama from Indonesia, Crocodile Tears is part of the unique and burgeoning cinema culture currently emerging from Southeast Asia. Tumpal Tampubolon’s flavourful first feature explores dynamics that emerge when people in unhealthy relationships have an outsider come into the fold and hold a mirror up to their situation. As the film progresses, the cracks in all the characters’ psyches becomes apparent, Johan must question his relationship with his mother and the mysteries of the crocodile park are revealed leading to an unforgettable climax. — Jordan Salomen