AUM!

Behind the Scenes of AUM! (2021): The Mockumentary That Blurred Fact and Fiction

AUM! (2021) isn’t just another Indonesian indie film—it’s a bold experiment in storytelling, blending adventure, satire, and a mockumentary style to revisit a dark chapter in the country’s history. Directed by Bambang "Ipoenk" Kuntara Murti in his feature debut, the film follows a group of student activists dodging military capture during the Suharto era, but with a twist: the line between reality and fiction is deliberately blurred . latestnetflix.com's take is that here’s what we know about the making of this unconventional project.

A Star-Studded Debut Collaboration

AUM! marked the first on-screen pairing of two of Indonesia’s biggest young stars: Jefri Nichol and Chicco Jerikho. Nichol, known for his roles in Dilan 1990 and Habibie & Ainun 3, and Jerikho, a mainstay in Indonesian cinema with credits like The Raid 2 and My Stupid Boss, brought star power to the film’s ensemble cast . Their chemistry was a major selling point, with behind-the-scenes footage teasing their dynamic as activists navigating a high-stakes escape .

The rest of the cast—including Agnes Natasya Tjie, Aksara Dena, and Ibnu Shohib—rounded out the group of fictionalized student rebels, each bringing their own flair to the roles. The film’s promotional materials leaned heavily into the cast’s camaraderie, with BTS clips showing the actors improvising and bonding off-camera .

Mockumentary Meets Political Thriller

AUM!’s unique hook is its mockumentary format, which frames the story as a "lost" documentary about the activists’ ordeal. This approach allowed director Bambang Kuntara Murti to play with tone, mixing tense chase sequences with dark humor and meta-commentary on Indonesia’s political past . The film’s trailer hints at this duality, cutting between grainy "archival" footage and slick, modern cinematography .

Reviews praised the film’s ambition, with critics calling it a "film within a film" that challenges audiences to question what’s real . One reviewer noted that the mockumentary style "adds layers of irony and urgency" to the story, making the Suharto-era setting feel eerily relevant . However, the approach also divided audiences—some found the blending of fact and fiction confusing, while others lauded its creativity .

A Director’s Passion Project

For Bambang Kuntara Murti, AUM! was a labor of love. The director, who also co-wrote the script, described the film as a way to explore Indonesia’s history through a fresh lens . Behind-the-scenes footage reveals his hands-on approach, from working closely with the cast to fine-tuning the film’s documentary-like aesthetic .

The project was produced under the banner of Bioskop Online, an Indonesian streaming platform that has become a hub for indie and experimental films. The platform’s involvement likely gave Murti the creative freedom to take risks, resulting in a film that stands out in Indonesia’s crowded cinema landscape .

The Verdict: A Cult Favorite in the Making?

While AUM! didn’t break box office records, it’s earned a reputation as a cult favorite among fans of offbeat cinema. Its Rotten Tomatoes page lists a sparse but positive reception, with viewers praising its originality and Nichol’s performance . The film’s legacy may lie in its willingness to tackle political themes with humor and irreverence—a rarity in Indonesian cinema.

For those who missed it in theaters, AUM! remains available on Bioskop Online, offering a glimpse into a director’s bold vision and a cast’s fearless performances.