Tabula Rasa

Synopsis

Tabula Rasa tells the story of Hans (Jimmy Kobogau), a young man from Serui, Papua, who dreams of becoming a professional football player. His dream almost becomes a reality when a football club in Jakarta recruits him. Yet fate has a different agenda, and Hans has to see his dream shatter.

In the midst of despair, he meets Mak (Dewi Irawan), owner of a simple Minang restaurant ( lapau ). Mak then invites Hans to her lapau . A bowl of warm fish head curry and Mak’s compassion, reignites Hans’s will to live.

Hans’s presence evokes a rejection from Parmanto (Yayu Unru), the cook, and Natsir (Ozzol Ramdan), the waiter. Things get worse when a competitor arrives just across from their simple lapau —a new, much bigger Minang  restaurant. Hans, Mak, Natsir and Parmanto have to settle their problems to save their lapau , that is currently struggling to get customers.

In Tabula Rasa , food is portrayed as a good way to meet—through food, they are able to meet, give hope and spirit to one another. Through food, they try to understand one another, understand their differences.

Tabula Rasa does not only talk about food, but also the diversity and richness of Indonesian culture. Tabula Rasa reminds us of the values of Indonesian culture that are sometimes overlooked—tolerance, helping one another, and unity. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) though food.

Details

Director: Adriyanto Dewo
Initial release: 2014
Running time: 109 minutes
Country: Indonesia

Admission

Free and open to the public, no booking required.

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