Ariani Darmawan Returns With Feature Debut Jani Be Good at Tokyo Festival

Indonesian filmmaker Ariani Darmawan has premiered her debut feature film, Jani Be Good, in the Asian Future competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival, Variety reported. The feature film marks her return to directing after stepping away from the industry for more than ten years to raise her child and care for her family. [1]

Variety reported that Jani Be Good provides a portrait of four women spanning three generations within a Chinese-Indonesian family. The narrative probes themes of silence and motherhood, drawing directly from the personal life experiences of Darmawan during her extended break from film production. [1]

Speaking to Variety, Darmawan stated that she stopped making films for over 10 years because she was having a child and looking after her family. She added that getting back to making films was all she really wanted to do. [1]

As FTMQ Entertainment reported earlier, the Tokyo International Film Festival features prominent regional cinema in its lineup. The festival brings together international filmmakers and talent from across Asia to highlight distinct cultural stories and creative voices. [5]