Watch Jermal

Jermal is a heartwarming Indonesian drama film directed by Ravi L. Bharwani and Rayya Makarim. The movie was released in 2008 and features a star cast that includes Iqbal S. Manurung, Didi Petet, and Yayu A.W. Unru. The story of Jermal revolves around a 13-year-old boy named Jaya. After the death of his mother, Jaya is sent to live with his fisherman father, who he has never met before. His father, named Jaya, is a traditional fisherman who lives on Jermal, a wooden platform built on the sea. Jermal is located on the coast of Aceh in Indonesia, and Jaya's father has spent most of his life fishing in the sea.

Jaya's life changes rapidly when he moves to his father's place. He adjusts to the harsh living conditions on Jermal, where there is no electricity. Jaya's father is a man of few words and doesn't show affection to his son. Jaya's father has a stern personality, and Jaya finds it tough to connect with him.

However, Jermal brings in a new friend for Jaya named Kevin. Kevin is a young boy from a nearby warung (small restaurant), and he comes around to visit Jaya often. The two boys become good friends and experience new adventures together, such as fishing and exploring the sea. Kevin is a lively boy and provides a welcome distraction for Jaya from his harsh living conditions.

The duo has great fun together, but the differences in their social status often inhibit their friendship. Kevin comes from a relatively privileged background and finds it difficult to adjust to Jaya's lifestyle. Kevin's mother is concerned about the kind of environment he's exposed to and wants Kevin to stay away from Jermal and Jaya.

Through his experiences with Kevin and his father, Jaya gets to know himself better. He starts to understand the harsh realities of life on Jermal and the difficulties his father has faced all his life. Jaya's father, on the other hand, starts to soften up and develops an emotional connection with his son with the help of Kevin and his mother.

The movie portrays the story of Jermal beautifully, highlighting the struggles faced by fishing communities in Indonesia. The sea is a critical part of their way of life, but it also poses many dangers. The movie shows how the characters on Jermal come together, in spite of their differences, to form a close-knit community.

The performances of the lead actors are beautifully executed, with a special mention of Iqbal S. Manurung who plays the role of Jaya's father. His portrayal of a stern and harsh character, which slowly becomes softer and more vulnerable as he gets to know his son better, is a delight to watch. Yayu A.W. Unru, who plays the role of Jaya, is excellent in showing the young boy's emotions and vulnerability.

Jermal is a heartwarming movie that shines a light on the bond between parents and children. The movie portrays the true essence of family and the willingness to love and care for one another, even in the toughest of circumstances. Jermal is a masterpiece of cinema that will leave the audience with a sense of wonder, leaving its mark on viewers who do not often see such realistic presentations of life around places like Jermal. If you haven't watched the film yet, it's definitely worth the watch.