Film Festival: 207 Titles Debut in Jakarta
Cristian Mungiu’s 'Fjord' kicks off the fifth edition of Jakarta World Cinema with a masterclass by its cinematographer.
By Rebecca Foster ·
207 films make up the program for the fifth edition of Jakarta World Cinema, which opened at CGV Grand Indonesia. The event features a selection of 102 titles screening exclusively in theaters, while online streaming began on Oct. 6 via KlikFilm.
The opening night featured "Fjord," a Palme d’Or winner directed by Cristian Mungiu. Tudor Vladimir Panduru, the film’s cinematographer, led the festival’s only masterclass. He noted that this marks his third collaboration with Mungiu, following "Graduation" and "R.M.N.". This is the first project the pair shot outside Romania and in languages other than Romanian, specifically English and Norwegian.
Romanian Ambassador to Indonesia Dan Adrian Bălănescu attended the premiere. He stated that "Fjord" is Romania’s submission for the international feature Oscar at the 2027 Academy Awards. Bălănescu addressed critical reception, noting that some critics accuse Mungiu of flirting with conservative ideas. He countered that others praise the film as a courageous critique of contemporary Western society.
Bălănescu cited a Romanian interview in which Mungiu said, "There’s no bravery in making a movie that defends progressive left-wing values. It’s outright provincial and opportunistic." Panduru told the audience that the film explores different values and perspectives. He suggested that watching it helps viewers understand how to be better people in society.
The 2026 lineup draws from 69 countries. Of the 207 titles, 120 have won awards at major festivals. Asian cinema accounts for 96 films, and 41 are directed by women. Twenty titles are official entries for the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards. The festival runs through Nov. 7, closing with the Thai horror film "Inherit."
