Boxing Drama ‘Light of Fire’ Takes Shape at JAFF Market

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Indonesian production “The Light of Fire” (Tinju Api), a coming-of-age action drama from director-writer Sesarini, is being presented at the inaugural JAFF Market, running alongside the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival.

The project, produced by Lyza Anggraheni and Ismail Basbeth under their banner Ruang Basbeth Bercerita, follows 17-year-old Yuda, whose father is killed in an underground boxing match.

The story tracks his journey into illegal boxing as he seeks vengeance, ultimately discovering that healing comes not through revenge but through embracing his father’s legacy.

The film has already gained attention on the development circuit, securing second place at the 2023 Indonesiana script lab program after being selected for the Producer Lab at Jakarta Film Week 2022. “The story takes place in Malang,” says producer Anggraheni. “As Sesarini’s father is originally from Malang, she wanted to utilize this opportunity to connect with her father’s hometown.” Sesarini’s personal connection to the material extends beyond location. “Through ‘The Light of Fire,’ I wanted to explore this unspoken side of grief – the silence, the isolation, and the ways we seek outlets to cope when we feel we have no other options,” says the director.