Otty Widasari (in collaboration with Komunitas Djuanda)
2012 | 1 hour 48 minutes 35 seconds | 16:9 | Color
Synopsis
An intimate story unfolds on the border between Tangerang City and Bogor Regency, where Kang Sui Liong, a temple caretaker, lives with his wife and children. As time moves forward, Kang Sui Liong becomes a living witness to the historical prominence of the Cina Benteng community, whose livelihoods once stretched from the downstream areas of Tangerang to the upstream regions of Bogor.
Over generations, processes of assimilation have gradually blurred the physical and cultural markers of this community. At dusk, Kang Sui Liong sits quietly at a crossroads, contemplating the uncertain future of the ancestral traditions he has long preserved and embodied.
Tentang Film
The Dragon Walks on Water (Indonesian title: Naga yang Berjalan di atas Air) is a feature-length documentary produced as part of an effort to chronicle the socio-cultural history of South Tangerang City. The film centers on the life of Kang Sui Liong, a temple caretaker who has lived for decades in Babakan Pocis, South Tangerang, together with his family and the surrounding community.
In his daily life, Kang Sui Liong encounters people from diverse backgrounds—ranging from temple devotees to visitors who come to maintain social and familial ties. The film seeks not only to convey information, but also to serve as a bridge for shared understanding of the cultural values embedded within these encounters.
The intersection of religious systems and cultural practices gives rise to an acculturative form rich in ornamentation and meaning. This synthesis animates the temple as a cultural space shaped by the convergence of three primary elements—Betawi, Sundanese, and Chinese—interwoven within a single temporal continuum.
Production
Production of the film took place over nearly three months, from late November 2011 to February 2012. The process involved documentary filmmakers from Forum Lenteng, Jakarta, in collaboration with Komunitas Djuanda, Ciputat, South Tangerang. Filming was conducted at Kanti Sara Temple (Bio Kanti Sara), Babakan Pocis, Bhakti Jaya Village, Setu District, South Tangerang City.
This production forms part of the akumassa capacity-building (upgrading) program, an initiative designed to strengthen the akumassa community network and initiated by Forum Lenteng.
The akumassa program is a division of Forum Lenteng that focuses on empowering communities across various regions of Indonesia through a media literacy approach. Active for more than three years, the program has provided mentorship to ten communities located in Jakarta; Ciputat, South Tangerang; Lebak; Cirebon; Padang Panjang; Blora; Surabaya; and Pemenang, North Lombok. Further information on akumassa activities can be accessed at www.akumassa.id.
Crew
Directing (Collaborative)
Otty Widasari, in collaboration with Komunitas Djuanda
Assistant Director
Ray S. Kusuma
Director of Photography
Saiful Anwar
Assistant Camera Operators
Choiril Chodri, Mufti Al Umam
Story Concept & Research
Renal Rinoza Kasturi
Writer
Otty Widasari
Editors
Mufti Al Umam, Choiril Chodri
Location Manager
Dwi Anggraini Puspa Ningrum
Finance
Jayu Juli Astuti
Publication & Distribution
Rizky Muhammad Zein, Eni Wibowo, Imam FR Kusumaningati, Farabi Ferdiansyah
Graphic Design & Web
Andang Kelana, Riosadja
Database & Support
akumassa Editorial Team
Producer
Hafiz
Technical Specifications
2012 | Color | PAL | 115 minutes | Indonesian language
Supported by
FORUM LENTENG
akumassa
KOMUNITAS DJUANDA
GALERITANGSEL.COM
THE FORD FOUNDATION
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Author Biography
