In Jakarta, young adults seeking adventure often find themselves tumbling down a rabbit hole of mischief and mayhem. It’s a city where excitement is available in both neon lights and the shadows. Welcome to the land of “Oops, I did it again!”
For those with cash to burn, Jakarta is like an all-you-can-eat buffet of entertainment—a smorgasbord of pristine activities and a side of societal debauchery for the daring gourmand. Not to worry, though; every experience here is thoroughly Instagrammable.
One film attempting to capture this duality is Menunggu Pagi (Waiting for Morning). Directed by the visionary Teddy Soeriaatmadja, it follows the exploits of Bayu (Arya Saloka), the quintessential millennial hipster who seems to have a secret life as a vinyl record dealer in the charming Pasar Santa, a hotspot for all things obscure and socially awkward.
Bayu is under constant peer pressure from his friends, Rico (Arya Vasco), Kevin (Raka Hutchison), and Adi (Bio One), to attend the Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP)—an electronic dance music festival that could make even a sloth feel like it needs to dance. But our protagonist, Bayu, initially scoffs at the thought of mingling with the masses and their questionable festival fashion choices—until, of course, he meets the enchanting Sara (Aurelie Moremans) in his shop. Cue the plot twist!
This 17+ feature doesn’t shy away from showcasing Jakarta’s grimier side. The film opens with a party scene featuring Martin (Mario Lawalata), a DJ who embodies the bad-boy trope with a side hustle in drugs—because what’s a party without a little something shady swirling around? Who knew the real mood-boosters are always found in dark corners?
Despite all this, Menunggu Pagi is not simply a glorification of reckless nights. It offers a humor-laden glimpse into the absurdities of drug deals gone wrong, as seen in the hilariously chaotic subplot involving Adi’s misadventures under the influence. His surreal hallucinations provide comic relief, serving as a reminder of just how unhinged life can become when one decides to say “Sure, why not?” to their questionable friends.
This film resonates with Jakarta’s youth, especially given that the most thrilling event they might experience post-DWP is sharing a pizza off the floor at 5 a.m. (a truly glamorous lifestyle, indeed). However, if you think you’ve seen a clichéd millennial portrayal, wait until you meet Bayu—a vinyl-loving, festival-averse soul who checks off every box on the hipster bingo card, including an endearing aversion to anything mainstream.
Ultimately, Menunggu Pagi stands as a cautionary tale that perhaps illegal escapades shouldn’t be part of your Friday night agenda. Its depiction of friendships, especially those titled “out of control,” suggests that if your crew resembles Bayu’s, it might be time for a serious friend audit for the sake of your mental health.
And remember, watching this film could lead you to contemplate the real-life implications of your friend group, possibly prompting existential crises. Just ask yourself: if they were stuck in a movie, would you find yourself smiling or just scrambling for the nearest exit?
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Menunggu Pagi
Director: Teddy Soeriaatmadja
Writer: Teddy Soeriaatmadja
Cast: Arya Saloka, Aurelie Moremans, Arya Vasco, Bio One, Raka Hutchison, Mario Lawalata, Yayu Unru, Ganindra Bimo, Putri Marino
Running time: 75 minutes
