Private Project

Sugar on The Weaver’s Chair

This film tells the story of three women in three regions in Indonesia in redefining their destiny. SUTRINGAH, is the wife of a palm sugar tapper from Banyumas. As a family of sugar palm tapper, her life continues to dwindle away by economic difficulties and exacerbated because her husband is totally paralyzed due to an accident when tapping. Sutringah is faced to the process of defining her role as a woman, a wife and a breadwinner. YATI, a woman with a disability, worked all her life for her family's business in lurik artisans in Klaten, Central Java. Yati then redefines her destiny when her idealism is conflicted with her father and also when her existential need within her cries out. Yati later decided to work in a garment factory to get what she dreamed of. MARIA, a widow from the village of Kefa in East Nusa Tenggara along with other widows, redefine their destiny as women in passing along weaving tradition to the youth around them. Even when their initiative collides with the customs that are not in favour to them.  

  • Harvan Agustriansyah
    Director
    Pangreh, Biang
  • Harvan Agustriansyah
    Writer
    Pangreh, Biang
  • Luvie Melati
    Writer
  • Joko Triwibowo
    Producer
  • Catharina Dwishastarini
    Executive Producer
  • Rendra Almatsier
    Co Executive Producer
  • Annisa Hertami
    Key Cast
    "Sutringah"
  • Putry Moruk
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
  • Arianggi Tiara
    Key Cast
    "Yati"
  • Erik Sukur
    Cinematographer
    Pangreh
  • Hendry Liberto
    Cinematographer
  • Akhmad Khomaini
    Cinematographer
  • Diki Setiawan
    Art Director
  • Rafael Beding
    Art Director
  • Suprianto
    Manager Production
  • Benyamin Baba
    Manager Production
  • Mungki Pamungkas
    Editing
  • Gelora Yudaswara
    Asisstant Director
  • Dewi Brown
    Asisstant Director
  • Nandra Yudhadifa
    Asisstant Director
  • Upi Suprianto
    Asisstant Director
  • Serlin Oktaria
    Make up Wardrobe
  • Astrid Doporiko
    Make up Wardrobe
  • Dylan Utomo
    Music Director
  • R.A Syukur
    Music Director
  • Edwin Juhanda
    Sound Recordist
    Pangreh
  • Raka Tokan
    Sound Recordist
  • Handrianus Eko
    Sound Designer
    Pangreh
  • Andrew Saputro
    Sound Designer
    Pangreh
  • Yulia Anggraeni
    Colorist
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Empu
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Short
  • Runtime:
    1 hour
  • Completion Date:
    December 1, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    35,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Indonesia
  • Country of Filming:
    Indonesia
  • Language:
    Indonesian
  • Shooting Format:
    HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 14th Jogja NETPAC Asian Film Festival
    Yogyakarta
    Indonesia
    December 1, 2019
    World premiere
  • Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival
    Houston, Texas
    United States
    June 4, 2020
    International Premiere
    Grand Jury Narrative Feature Award
  • 10th Guam International Film Festival
    Hagãtna
    Guam
    October 1, 2020
    Guam Premiere
    Grand Jury Award & Audience Choice Award
  • 14th Balinale International Film Festival
    Bali
    Indonesia
    May 25, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Asian Film Festival Barcelona
    Barcelona
    Spain
    November 1, 2020
    Europe Premiere
    Official Selection
  • 18th Mindanao Film Festival
    Mindanao
    Philippines
    December 7, 2020
    Philippines Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival
    Rio De Janeiro
    Brazil
    December 7, 2020
    Brazil Premiere
    Best Feature Film, Best Director & Best Film Editing
  • Ponnani International Film Festival
    Ponnani
    India
    March 20, 2021
    India Premiere
    Official Selection
  • International Labor Film Festival
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    May 13, 2021
    Argentina Premiere
    Feature film competition
  • 18th Asian Film Festival
    Roma
    Italy
    July 13, 2021
    Italy Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Regina International Film Festival & Award (RIFFA)
    Regina
    Canada
    August 10, 2021
    Canada Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Middlebury New Filmmaker International Film Festival
    Vermont
    United States
    August 24, 2021
    Cross Culture Prize - American Indonesia Cultural and Education Foundation
Director Biography - Harvan Agustriansyah

Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1980. Harvan Agustriansyah studied directing at Jakarta Arts Institute. After graduated, he worked as assistant director in many Indonesian feature-length films production. As a director, he has produced, wrote and directed several short films and participated at national and international film festivals.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Sugar on The Weaver’s Chair inspired from the true story of three women in three different regions in Indonesia. A real story of women's journey in understanding their daily roles and also their clash with the reality of political and economic situation. The story narrates the division of a husband and wife’s role in a simple way of thinking, the journey to find one’s role within her surrounding as a disable and theprocess of instilling passion on traditional weaving to the youth wherever they are, despites their weaving center is being demolished. The theme of women has always been crucial and important to discuss, because the way of society think on men’s role hold many important impact to the daily lives. This film is there sult of collaboration with GEF SGP program that has passion on the division of men and women’s rolein managing natural resources. This film tries to showcase women stories who didn’t resign to the role that crippled their position, instead, they respond it in a simple way without thinking of shifting the role of men.