Before, Now & Then

In the midst of the political violence of late-1960s Indonesia, Nana (Happy Salma in a powerhouse performance) is married to an older, wealthy plantation owner (Arswendy Bening Swara). But her heart remains with her first husband, who was murdered in an anti-Communist purge a decade prior. When Nana discovers that her husband is having an affair, she forges an atypical connection with his young mistress (Laura Basuki). As the two women become close confidantes, they find warmth and unexpected freedom in a bond that their patriarchal world does not condone.

In the cinematic tradition of Wong Kar-wai and Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Kamila Andini’s lyrical and formally intoxicating portrait of a woman and a society undone by political violence is distinguished by its sumptuous, immersive cinematography and ruminative spirit.