TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesian film director Ryan Adriandhy has once again presented a work that delves into the colorful world through the eyes of children. Following the success of the animated film Jumbo, now comes Na Willa, his latest film with Visinema Studios that will take the audience on a nostalgic journey to remember the fun of being children.
Generally, the film will focus on the daily life of a five-year-old imaginative and curious girl, Na Willa (Luisa Adreena). She is the daughter of Mak (Irma Rihi) and Pak (Junior Liem), who is a sailor.
Na Willa's adventures become more enjoyable and full of fun thanks to her three friends: Dul (Azamy Syauqi), Bud (Arsenio Rafisqy), and Farida (Freya Mikhayla). Their innocence and spontaneity will bring joy throughout the film.
Nostalgia-Inducing Details
The film Na Willa, adapted from Reda Gaudiamo's novel of the same name, is set in Krembangan, Surabaya in the 1960s. The details depicted are capable of evoking nostalgia for the Baby Boomers generation to the Millennials. The old school atmosphere remains relevant to the subsequent generations due to its similarity to the warm and homey ambiance of a grandmother's house in the village.
For example, the house's architecture, tube radios, and clothesline made of twisted rope. There are also classic tiled floors with simple flower motifs, which always provide a cool sensation when walked upon. This floor doubles as Na Willa's favorite spot to cool down after coming back from Pasar Krembangan with Mak.
Film Na Willa. Doc. Visinema Studios
Moreover, each character in the film Na Willa is clothed in vintage style. For instance, Willa with her loose polka dot pants, Mak with her dress, and Bud who always wears his checkered overalls.
The film also showcases scenes of Willa and her friends playing traditional games, such as marbles, kites, and hopscotch. There is also Bud's favorite plastic toy soldiers. The combination of all these nostalgic elements further enhances the classic ambiance that supports the film's time setting.
Use of Music and Animation
It seems that Ryan Adriandhy does not intend to make Na Willa an ordinary children's film. Ryan incorporates several scenes that combine the appearance of a "mini theater" with mise-en-scne techniques, such as when Willa reads a letter from her father. The use and placement of this technique blend seamlessly and provide a broader narrative and context.
Film Na Willa. Photo: Instagram/@nawillaofficial
The film comes to life with the bold and warm color palette, supported by simple yet important animations that portray Willa's wild and vibrant imagination as a child. It can be said that such animations resemble those in the film featuring the young duo Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron, Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010).
Furthermore, the Na Willa production team also incorporates musical elements in a scene where Willa visits Dul in the hospital. Dul, whose right leg was amputated after being hit by a train, has to use a wooden prosthetic leg and proudly shows it to Willa, indicating that his leg can now make sounds.
This sound becomes the opening melody of the song "Sikilku Iso Muni" composed by Laleilmanino, which Willa and Dul joyfully sing to while dancing with hospital staff. Choosing this moment for the musical performance in the film offers a different impression and enhances the novel's storyline.
Moral Messages in the Film Na Willa
Na Willa is not just a family film that brings joy and happiness. It also serves as a platform for a collection of moral messages that can be grasped and further interpreted by anyone willing to do so.
Through Willa, for example, honesty becomes an important aspect that guides her life rather than just a mere doctrine or empty words. Willa's character seems to convey the message that sometimes the harshest reprimands do not necessarily come from profound words. Instead, they can come from the simple expressions and spontaneity of a child.
Film Na Willa. Doc. Visinema Studios
Mak also provides insights for many parents out there on how to properly educate and impart noble values to their children. Mak exemplifies the idea that love is not always expressed through words.
Instead, love can also be shown through simple actions, such as allowing a child to disassemble a radio out of curiosity. Just like Mak, who is always ready to be the frontliner, sacrificing herself, and standing up for her child if she finds herself in an unjust position.
In the context of social interaction, the film Na Willa delivers a lesson that differences and diversity within a community should not be barriers. Willa directly demonstrates that any wall of differences, no matter how tall, can easily be torn down. It only requires sincerity and good intentions without bias to act as a bonding agent between these different elements.
Conclusion and Evaluation
In the end, watching Na Willa feels like opening an old toy chest that has gathered dust but is brimming with sweet memories. The film successfully stitches together short stories from Reda Gaudiamo's novel into a cohesive narrative that flows, with a clear plot while retaining the essence of its 'small miracles'.
Na Willa becomes a heartwarming, visually stunning, and richly meaningful film. It serves as a bridge to the past, inviting different generations to celebrate honesty, bravery, and the beauty of the world when they were children. Willa's every behavior with those around her creates joy through laughter and touches the heart with tears.
Ryan Adriandhy, along with Visinema Pictures, proves that presenting a visually stunning production based on a simple story is not an issue. It only requires a touch of sincerity and a genuine intention to reach the deepest corners of the soul.
CAHYA SAPUTRA
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