Payung Merah (Red Umbrella)

In 9.5 minutes, Payung Merah (Red Umbrella) follows a late-night journey of Reza (Rio Dewanto), a taxi driver who is not the most sympathetic husband to his wife. Despite of fulfilling his promise to come home right away, he takes a girl (Atiqah Hasiholan) who is holding open a red umbrella. As conversation with his passenger flows through the long journey that takes him only further from home, Reza starts to notice some unusual things in his backseat.

Directors Andri Cung and Edward Gunawan chose to openly tell their audience from the start that this short movie is a supernatural one. Audience is expected to focus on the subtle message on love and family bond through Reza’s brief encounter with Lady Red Umbrella and a mysterious man (Zubir Mustaqim) who appears at the end of Reza’s journey.

Payung Merah (Red Umbrella) had its world premiere in 35th Hong Kong International Film Festival in Marh 2011. It was then touring the international circuit with screenings at the 2011 Phoenix International Film Festival, International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival, Comicon Film Festival (Arizona, USA), Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (California, USA). It has also been selected from over 300 submissions to compete at the prestigious Oscar-qualifying 2011 Palm Springs International Short Fest (California, USA) in June.

Right now, Payung Merah (Red Umbrella) is competing against over 100 entries from 15 Asia Pacific countries in Asian Short Film Awards @ScreenSingapore. Oliver Stone heads the jury panel. The winner will win cash prize of SG$ 20,000 (US$ 15,800). (Ve Handojo)

2011, Indonesia. Short Movie. Drama, Mystery. Directors: Andri Cung, Edward Gunawan. Writer: Edward Gunawan. Cast: Atiqah Hasiholan, Rio Dewanto, Zubir Mustaqim.