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“Silence in cinema plays a vital role in witnessing human struggle. Communication goes far beyond words. When confronting history, silence and restraint often speak with greater truth than speech,” said renowned Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho in an exclusive interview held as part of the 30th IFFK.

Cinema, he believes, has long served as a direct witness to human suffering. Throughout his body of work, Nugroho has consistently turned his lens toward marginalized lives, driven by a deep empathy and a commitment to restoring their dignity and sense of justice.

For Nugroho, the true power of cinema does not lie in overt confrontation, but in quiet realization. His films offer fleeting yet profound glimpses of poverty, resistance, and survival—moments that linger long after the screen fades to black.

Cinema, like life itself, is layered with mystery. It cannot provide answers to everything, nor should it try. Instead, Nugroho weaves local traditions, music, and art forms into his films, allowing them to exist as evolving, transformative experiences.

Firm in his belief that cinema can capture emotions and thoughts that transcend language, Nugroho continues his search for meaning and belonging within the medium.

Addressing the younger generation of filmmakers, he offers this advice “Approach the crises ahead with honesty and clarity of vision. Cinema is an expression of intense ambition—not of power.”