Jakarta,OpsJurnal.Asia -
Crocodile Tears, the feature debut of director Tumpal Tampubolon, is set to meet Indonesian audiences in theaters starting May 7, 2026. Produced by Mandy Marahimin, the film brings a fresh cinematic energy—presenting a gripping family drama crafted through international collaboration and backed by recognition from 33 prestigious film festivals worldwide.
A press screening and press conference for Crocodile Tears was held at XXI Epicentrum Studio 2, Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Tuesday (April 28).
The film’s international journey began with its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024, one of the most prestigious film festivals globally. From there, it continued to gain momentum at major festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and Gothenburg International Film Festival. Its journey extended further to events such as the Adelaide Film Festival, Torino Film Festival, and the Red Sea International Film Festival, among many others. The widespread acclaim underscores the film’s ability to resonate with global audiences.
Behind the scenes, Crocodile Tears is a fully collaborative work. Tumpal Tampubolon is known for his open creative approach, giving department heads and actors significant freedom to interpret the script in personal and meaningful ways.
“We developed this film over seven years, going through 17 drafts before finding the form we truly believed in,” Tumpal explained. “But the moment we’ve been waiting for the most is when the film finally returns home to Indonesian audiences.”
This collaborative spirit is reflected in the performances of its cast, including Marissa Anita, Yusuf Mahardika, and Zulfa Maharani, who not only portrayed their characters but actively shaped them alongside the director.
“Tumpal gave us immense space to truly inhabit our roles. We built layers of emotion together from preparation through filming,” said Marissa Anita, who plays the character Mama. “That process made the character feel incredibly real to me.”
Tumpal Tampubolon is no newcomer to Indonesian cinema. He has built his reputation through a series of acclaimed short films, including The Last Believer (award-winning at Jakarta International Film Festival), Mamalia (selected at Rotterdam and Hong Kong International Film Festival), and Laut Memanggilku, which won the Sonje Award at Busan International Film Festival 2021 and received a nomination for Best Short Film at the Indonesian Film Festival 2021. His works are recognized for their nuanced emotional storytelling and unexpected narrative twists—an approach that continues in Crocodile Tears.
Producer Mandy Marahimin highlighted the film’s long and meticulous production journey:
“The journey of Crocodile Tears has been extensive—from development to production involving crews from four countries. It took six years before production began, and a total of eight years before the film could finally reach Indonesian audiences. The preparation was incredibly detailed, including nearly two years of casting and months of intensive planning. We even built a house inside a crocodile park, surrounded by hundreds of live crocodiles. This is a film created through deep collaboration and heartfelt dedication, and we hope it will be warmly received.”
Synopsis
Mama (Marissa Anita), a single mother, strives to protect her son Johan (Yusuf Mahardika) from a world she believes could harm him. Together, they live a quiet and monotonous life in a crocodile park.
Their lives take a dramatic turn when Arumi (Zulfa Maharani) enters Johan’s world. When Johan invites Arumi to live with them, his relationship with Mama begins to unravel. Tension escalates steadily, leading to a breaking point where Mama decides that something must be done—immediately.
Blending magical realism with psychological terror, Crocodile Tears offers an intimate cinematic experience—presenting close, emotionally charged relationships layered with escalating conflict.
The film is produced by Talamedia in collaboration with Acrobates Films, Giraffe Pictures, Poetik Films, and 2Pilots Filmproduction, and is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia and E-Motion Entertainment.
After a long journey across international stages, Crocodile Tears is finally ready to captivate Indonesian audiences. The film will be released in theaters nationwide starting May 7, 2026.
(Ine)
