Indonesian Director Ariani Darmawan Returns With Debut Feature at Tokyo Festival

Indonesian filmmaker Ariani Darmawan ends a 15-year break from directing with her first feature-length drama, 'Jani Be Good,' known locally as 'Desember Jani.' The film is produced by Jakarta-based company Palari Films and marks Darmawan's return to the industry after an extended absence.

The movie has been selected for the Asian Future competition section at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, where it will hold its world premiere. This competitive sidebar highlights emerging talent and innovative storytelling from across Asia, placing Darmawan's comeback work on a significant international stage.

A first trailer for the drama has been released ahead of the festival debut, offering an initial look at the project that signals a new chapter for the director. The premiere in Tokyo represents a key distribution milestone for the Indonesian production as it seeks wider global exposure.

This brief draws on reporting from Variety.