Indonesian director Yosep Anggi Noen has wrapped filming on The Sea Speaks His Name (Laut Bercerita), a political drama starring Reza Rahadian and Dian Sastrowardoyo, which will mark the debut feature of new production outfit Pal8 Pictures.
The upcoming film was teased at JAFF Market today (November 1) at an event attended by director Yosep, the main cast, producer Gita Fara and representatives from Pal8 alongside other backers. A first look can be seen above.
The feature is based on a 2017 novel by Leila S. Chudori, which has been reprinted more than 120 times with around 700,000 book sold and estimated readers of 1.4 million. Leila co-wrote the screenplay with Yosep. A Q3 release of the film in 2026 is expected.
Reza, one of Indonesia’s most recognisable stars, plays an activist from a group willing to risk everything for the dream of freedom and democracy. When he goes missing, his parents search tirelessly, while his sister is convinced that he is long gone.
Set in the 1990s against a dark chapter of Indonesia’s history, the story expands beyond a single disappearance to the collective grief of a nation that has yet to reconcile with its own past.
“It is a narrative of young people holding onto their principles, to speak of their voices,” said Yosep. “In a world where history is buried beneath misinformation, propaganda, and digital echo chambers, fiction becomes essential. This is not fiction as mere storytelling — it is an extraction of real events, reconstructed to ignite curiosity. Fiction that is layered, dimensional, and ultimately, one that resonates with truth.”
Acclaimed filmmaker Gita Fara serves as producer. Her notable credits include Reza’s directing feature debut On Her Lap, Garin Nugroho’s Samsara and Kamila Andini’s Berlinale award-winner Before Now & Then.
The cast also includes Yunita Siregar, Eva Celia, Christine Hakim, and Arswendy Beningswara.
It reunites Reza with director Yosep, having previously worked together on 2023 dystopian crime drama 24 Hours With Gaspar, which premiered at Busan and was picked up by Netflix. Reza also starred in a short film version of The Sea Speaks His Name, which was directed by Pritagita Arianegara.
Pal8 Pictures is a new production house under the Tempo Media group, which has a long history in the press industry of more than five decades. Led by Budi Setyarso, Pal8 Pictures aims to make socially relevant films with social and historical background, offering an alternative to Indonesian cinema audiences.
The film is also supported by VMS Studio, Jagartha, Lynx Films, and Brandlink.
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