Dian Sastrowardoyo
Aruna
Overview
A food-loving epidemiologist Aruna has to go to the countryside to investigate the avian flu outbreak. A chef and a food critic also accompany her—this could turn out to be a food trip!
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Taste of Memory
I’ve always believed that food is the most honest language we have. It doesn’t lie—even when we do. Aruna & Her Palate understands this better than most films about cuisine, which too often reduce meals to pretty backdrops or punchlines. Here, food is the story.
Not just what’s on the plate, but what it means: the arguments it sparks, the secrets it keeps, the way it can make four estranged friends remember why they loved each other in the first place.
Edwin’s film (adapted from Laksmi Pamuntjak’s novel The Birdwoman’s Palate) follows Aruna, a sharp-tongued food critic, as she’s sent to investigate a bird flu outbreak in the Indonesian countryside. She’s joined by her ex, a chef, and a food writer—three people she hasn’t seen in years, all of whom have their own reasons for avoiding her. What begins as a professional obligation quickly becomes something messier: a road trip through the flavors of their shared past, where every meal is a minefield and every bite carries the weight of an unspoken apology.
The film’s greatest strength is its refusal to sentimentalize food. In lesser hands, this could’ve been a travelogue of Instagram-friendly dishes, all golden light and slow-motion slurps. But Edwin and his cinematographer treat meals like conversations—sometimes loud, sometimes awkward, always revealing.
There’s a scene early on where Aruna and her ex, Bono (Oka Antara), share a plate of soto betawi, a Jakarta beef soup. The camera lingers on their hands, the way they both reach for the same piece of fried shallot at the same time. Neither says a word, but the tension is palpable.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 7.2/10
"A charming yet uneven food-themed drama with strong performances but a meandering plot."
Viewers appreciate the film’s warm portrayal of Indonesian cuisine and the chemistry between the leads, particularly Dian Sastrowardoyo and Nicholas Saputra. latestnetflix.com's take is that however, the story’s pacing and lack of narrative focus leave some feeling underwhelmed, with the romance and drama elements struggling to fully cohere.
What viewers praise
- Engaging lead performances Dian Sastrowardoyo and Nicholas Saputra deliver compelling performances that anchor the film’s emotional core.
- Celebration of Indonesian cuisine The film’s vibrant depiction of food and culture resonates with audiences, offering a sensory and nostalgic experience.
- Charming visual tone The cinematography and aesthetic choices create a warm, inviting atmosphere that enhances the story’s themes.
Common complaints
- Meandering plot The narrative lacks clear direction, with some viewers finding the pacing slow and the story unfocused.
- Underdeveloped romance The romantic subplot feels forced or insufficiently explored, failing to fully engage some audiences.
- Thin supporting characters Side characters often lack depth, leaving the ensemble feeling uneven.
Recommended for
Food and culture enthusiasts Indonesian cinema fans Dian Sastrowardoyo admirers Light drama lovers Slow-paced character studies
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Aruna & Her Palate: A Feast of Drama and Flavor
Aruna & Her Palate (2018) isn’t just a film about food—it’s a story of friendship, self-discovery, and the messy, delicious chaos of life. Directed by Edwin, the Indonesian drama adapts Laksmi Pamuntjak’s 2014 novel The Birdwoman’s Palate, bringing its rich flavors and complex characters to the screen. But what went into making this culinary journey? latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know (and what remains tantalizingly unclear).
From Page to Screen: The Adaptation Game
The film’s roots lie in Pamuntjak’s novel, which Edwin faithfully adapted into Aruna & Her Palate (or Aruna & Lidahnya in Indonesian) 
. The story follows Aruna, a food writer with a sharp tongue and an even sharper palate, as she embarks on a road trip across Indonesia with three old friends. Their mission? To investigate a bird flu outbreak—but the real adventure is the food, the secrets, and the simmering tensions between them.
While the novel’s structure and themes remain intact, the film condenses its sprawling narrative into a tight 106-minute runtime . That’s no small feat, given the book’s reputation for vivid descriptions of Indonesian cuisine and culture. Rumor has it Edwin worked closely with Pamuntjak to ensure the adaptation stayed true to the novel’s spirit, though details of their collaboration remain scarce.
Casting the Flavors: Who Brought the Heat?
The film’s ensemble cast reads like a who’s who of Indonesian cinema. Dian Sastrowardoyo stars as Aruna, the fiery food critic whose journey anchors the story. Oka Antara, Hannah Al Rashid, and Nicholas Saputra round out the core quartet, each bringing their own dynamic to the road trip . Deddy Mahendra Desta, Ayu Azhari, and Mohamad Zaki add depth to the supporting roles, though their behind-the-scenes contributions are largely undocumented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pZpue9CE8g
What is clear is that the chemistry between the leads was a priority. In a rare behind-the-scenes snippet, a promotional video titled "Food and conversation in 'Aruna and Her Palate'" hints at the cast’s playful camaraderie, suggesting that the film’s emotional beats were as much a product of improvisation as they were of scripted dialogue . Whether this extended to on-set food fights or impromptu taste tests remains unconfirmed—but it’s easy to imagine.
The Recipe for Success: Challenges and Triumphs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw899ld2gRw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54eiIlrl7kw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2n-S5x5RZM
Adapting a novel as beloved as The Birdwoman’s Palate was always going to be a high-stakes endeavor. One of the biggest challenges? Capturing the sensory overload of Indonesian cuisine on screen. The film’s trailers—including an official international teaser and festival cuts —hint at the meticulous attention to detail, from sizzling street food to elaborate feasts. But how did the crew pull it off?
Rumor has it that the production team consulted with real-life chefs and food stylists to ensure authenticity, though no official interviews or featurettes have surfaced to confirm this. What is verifiable is the film’s runtime and genre: at 106 minutes, it’s a breezy comedy-drama , a tonal balance that likely required careful editing to avoid veering into melodrama or farce.
Another unanswered question: the film’s reception. While trailers and promotional materials suggest it made the festival circuit (including screenings at CinemAsia and LAIFF in 2019 ), critical reviews are harder to come by. Rotten Tomatoes lists the film , but without a score or audience consensus, its legacy remains a bit of a mystery.
The Unanswered Questions
For all its charm, Aruna & Her Palate leaves plenty to the imagination. Was there on-set drama? Did the cast bond over shared meals, or did the pressures of filming strain their friendships? How did Edwin navigate the adaptation’s trickiest scenes? The evidence is thin, and the film’s promotional materials focus more on the story’s themes than its production.
One thing’s for sure: the movie’s blend of food, friendship, and humor struck a chord with audiences. Whether it’s remembered as a cult classic or a hidden gem, its legacy is still simmering.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.