Private Project

A Thirst for Touch

In his childhood, Aldi was abandoned by his mother after a great domestic fight. Now, on his first day at work in a women’s clothing boutique, Aldi gets scolded by Mrs. Yanti (the store’s manager) due to his sluggish work. Throughout the day, Aldi has also made a customer and his colleague Amira uncomfortable with his attitude. Mrs. Yanti then fires Aldi after Amira reported feeling harassed by him. Feeling more unwanted than ever, Aldi makes an unusual decision.

  • Ranggalih
    Director
  • Ranggalih
    Writer
  • Lintang Jelita Anjani
    Producer
  • Muhammad Salman Al Farisi
    Key Cast
    "Aldi"
  • Fatiha Kurnia Putri
    Key Cast
    "Amira"
  • Yayuk Iswatin
    Key Cast
    "Mrs. Yanti"
  • Amandha Mutiara Herfiana
    Key Cast
    "Customer"
  • Gandewa D. B. M.
    Key Cast
    "Young Aldi"
  • Suci Madalena
    Key Cast
    "Aldi's Mom"
  • Ranggalih
    Key Cast
    "Aldi's Dad"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Sentuhlah Diriku
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 27, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    295 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Indonesia
  • Country of Filming:
    Indonesia
  • Language:
    Indonesian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Airlangga University
  • Festival Film Lampung
    Lampung
    Indonesia
    March 16, 2023
Director Biography - Ranggalih

In his childhood, Aldi was abandoned by his mother after a great domestic fight. Now, on his first day at work in a women’s clothing boutique, Aldi gets scolded by Mrs. Yanti (the store’s manager) due to his sluggish work. Throughout the day, Aldi has also made a customer and his colleague Amira uncomfortable with his attitude. Mrs. Yanti then fires Aldi after Amira reported feeling harassed by him. Feeling more unwanted than ever, Aldi makes an unusual decision.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Instead of offering a statement, Sentuhlah Diriku (A Thirst For Touch) asks the viewer about the nature of psychological conflicts and how they may clash with societal norms. The character of Aldi is influenced by and is a reinterpretation of my little brother, who, at times, experienced difficulties in socializing due to his socio-psychological condition that may seem to ‘deviate’ from the general public. I often felt irritated and exhausted from facing his behaviors, remarks, and actions. However, one day I tried talking to him. From that conversation, I can now understand three things: One, he did not choose to be 'different'; Two, his differences are a consequence of events that have happened in the past; And lastly, he yearns to hide his differences so that he can be accepted more by those around him. This has made me realize that, truly, he is someone with deep wounds—similar to Aldi.

With that being said, I would like to raise a question for the viewers: “What should we do to Aldi? How can we help people like Aldi—a person with deep-rooted psychological problems stemming from a past that can no longer be changed and is a challenge to be accepted socially?”

As a psychology student and a film enthusiast, Sentuhlah Diriku (A Thirst For Touch) is my attempt to explore this dilemma through an audio-visual medium by adopting a psychoanalytical and behavioral approach. Through this film, I wish for people to be more sensitive towards their surroundings; even though what Aldi did was wrong and unjustifiable, it is important for us to keep on being kind as we might not know what sort of problems or traumas that people have experienced or are currently facing. Our actions may affect or even worsen their condition—which may ultimately impact other individuals, or even the greater society, creating a domino effect.