Arisan!

By: Scott Cranin
In-House Review - Jan 05 2005

The first gay film to emerge from Indonesia, Arisan! is a well-made, entertaining, pro-gay surprise. Co-written and directed by Nia Di Nata, the film tells a story of a young, closeted gay architect, his two best girlfriends and his budding romance with a gay filmmaker. Sakti is a successful, very attractive Jakarta architect whose gay existence is hidden from view, only surfacing in his fantasies. Even his best friend MeiMei, a designer who shares his office, doesn't have a clue. MeiMei is in an unhappy marriage and will do anything to become pregnant, and she alone shares this secret. Their friend Andien is a wealthy socialite with a secret self-destructive streak. All three join an "Arisan" a social club of wealthy women (and gay men obviously) who share gossip and brag about their lives. These three friends share their surface relationship (filled with lies and ommissions) until all the masks come tumbling down and they are left with their friendship. When Sakti is approached by Nino, an openly gay film director, their attraction is instant. The affair between the two men is held in secret, the custom in Indonesia, and what Sakti wants. But Nino wants more, he wants a husband whose hand he can hold in public . Their relationship becomes strained as the closet door is thrown open by neccesity. With two sexy romantic leads, a unusual coming-out story and the exotic locale, Arisan! makes for genuinely compelling viewing.

By: caulo

Arisan! is pathbreaking on two fronts - not only does it depict the travails of being gay in moslem Indonesia, it went on to win their best picture award in 2004. The story follows our hunky closeted hero as he gets unwittingly drafted into a monthly gathering of society wives. Then he meets an openly gay producer and his life gets complicated. The slang and humor are best enjoyed by those who understand Indonesian but the subtitles capture much of the fun. Buy it if you are looking for light hearted entertainment.