Original subtitles

Don't mix truth with evil.

Don't hide the truth, even though you are aware of it.

Allahu Akbar!

Allahu Akbar!

Anissa!

-Sari? -Yes, ma'am?

Is Anissa there?

No, ma'am.

Anissa!

Is Anissa here?

-No, ma'am. -No, ma'am.

-Nothing. -Assalamu'alaikum.

Wa'alaikumsalam.

Anissa!

Anissa!

Anissa!

Get off the horse!

10 YEARS EARLIER…

I've told you many times, girls shouldn't act so wild.

I'm not acting wild.

-I'm just riding a horse. -That's acting wild.

Come on! Why don't you hit it?

How come Reza and Wildan can do it?

They are boys, so it's fine.

-Girls should just stay in the kitchen! -Yeah!

You're being unfair!

Nis, what's wrong with you?

Why do you always defy me and your father?

Come on, let's do it again.

Do you want your father to scold you?

You want your father to scold me?

EAST JAVA, 1985

Fill in the rows for our prayer perfection.

Make a straight line.

Let's pray before we eat.

Reza, lead the prayers.

Come on.

Bismillah, al Rahman, al Rahim.

I want to learn how to ride a horse.

Don't talk while we're eating.

It's inappropriate.

Reza and Wildan can do it.

Why can't I do it?

Because you're a girl.

Yeah, because you're a girl. It's inappropriate.

So what?

How about Aisyah the Prophet's wife, Princess of Budur, Hindun Binti Athaba?

They're women.

They led troops while riding a horse.

-Then they behaved inappropriately too. -They're not my daughters.

You're my daughter, the daughter of a Kyai.

So what if I'm a Kyai's daughter?

Why are you frowning? The horses would frown too.

Says who? Horses understand humans the best.

If their owner is frowning, then the horses will comfort him.

You're a smart kid.

You lied to me, Uncle Khudori. You said you'd only stay in Surabaya for a while.

You promised to accompany me and learn how to ride horses.

Bismillah, al Rahman, al Rahim.

Okay, sir.

Slowly, sir.

Gosh.

Don't go too fast, sir.

Yes! I am Aisyah, daughter of Athaba! I can ride a horse!

I am Aisyah, daughter of Athaba!

I am the Princess of Budur!

Here.

-Farid. -Farid!

Last one, Winda!

-Who is it, Win? -Anissa!

-Anissa! -That's the last one.

Anissa got 12.

Farid got one, two, three… 11.

Anissa, thank you, please sit down. Farid, please sit down.

Thank you.

Thank God the election is over.

Now, because Islam doesn't allow women to be leaders,

therefore, with all due respect to the value of Pancasila,

I've decided that your new class president is Farid!

-Take this off the fire in a moment. -Yes, ma'am.

My mother sends you her regards.

She asked when you'll have the time to come to Ngawi.

God, I have no time, Ri.

If I leave the school, who will take care of it?

Actually, I really miss your mother.

Rin.

How's your schooling?

You're going to Cairo, right?

-God have mercy! -Nissa!

Where is Anissa?

Anissa!

The teacher cheated!

Come here. I'm grounding you!

-The teacher cheated! -Come here!

I should be the class president!

But why did you run away from school?

I didn't run away!

Hey, Nissa. Come here!

Listen to me.

Your teacher is right!

Only men deserve to be leaders!

Then you and my teacher are both cheaters!

You insolent child! You need to be taught a lesson!

Come here!

Come here, get inside!

You insolent child!

-Father! -Father!

-Take that! -Father!

Father, stop it!

Why do you have to go to Cairo, Uncle?

Who told you that?

Between Cairo…

and Mecca, which one is farther?

Both can be far, and both can be near.

It only depends on your intention.

You have to be smart, Nissa.

Study well. You should see the outside world.

Don't just stay behind in your father's boarding school.

I really love you, Uncle.

Come on, chase me!

-Wait for me, Uncle! -"In the sky of a million moons,

this prayer camp is full of angels."

"Only in the eyes of the blind are they hiding."

Who wrote that poem, Uncle?

That is Jalaluddin Rumi's poem.

Come on, Uncle.

"Have you ever seen a fish get tired of the sea?"

"Have you ever seen a sculpture escape the sculptor?"

"Have you ever seen Vamiq apologize to Adhra?"

Please don't go, Uncle.

I will be lonely, Uncle.

Alone.

A good Muslim will never be lonely, Nissa…

because God is closer than our own veins.

God is always defending men, Uncle.

When will I be able to see the outside world, Uncle?

I'm not even allowed to ride a horse.

The outside world is only a dream for me.

The outside world is only for men.

7 YEARS LATER

21 MAY 1991

JULY, AUGUST 1992

Anissa!

Yes, Mom. Wait a minute.

Women nowadays are blind.

Blinded by modernization.

Out there, many women are not behaving in an Islamic way.

Working outside their home, wearing short skirts,

forgetting their nature to be housewives,

working in offices, and interacting with people who are not their family.

Glory to God!

Many women claim that they're modern.

They dare to ask their husbands for a divorce.

Actually, when a wife

dares to say "I want a divorce" to her husband,

then on the day of judgment, she will come with a face without flesh,

her tongue will stick out from the back of her neck,

and her feet will fall in hell, even if…

even if she's fasting during the day,

and praying every night.

Islam is unfair to women.

Don't talk like that, Nissa.

It'll bite you back.

Then what would you call it if not unfair?

Going to Kyai Ali's class doesn't make you smarter.

It just annoys you.

Nis, Aminah has been introduced to her husband-to-be.

I heard that he's handsome.

Really, Syah? Isn't she still our age?

Well, she found her match, Nis.

And when are you going to get married?

Wouldn't a Kyai's daughter easily find a match?

We're just old enough to get ID cards, Why should we think about marriage now?

I want to continue my studies.

Go to college.

I want to get married after I come home from Al-Azhar,

from Cairo.

You want to marry your uncle, don't you?

Uncle Khudori?

Mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and all.

-Come watch… -Come, buy your groceries here!

Buy some long beans.

That one is 5,000 rupiah.

-Wonosonbo. -Yes.

This one is to Cairo.

And this one to Yogya.

Yogya, okay.

You said you want to study in Cairo.

So why are you still sending an application to Yogya?

Just in case.

Okay.

Sir, do you have any letters from Cairo for Anissa at Al-Huda Boarding School?

No.

Please check first, sir.

If we had it, we would've delivered it. It's not like an Eid al-Fitr package.

Jeez.

-Thank you, sir. -Yeah.

Where are the ones for Turkey?

Mothers, brothers and sisters, friends and all.

-Let's watch. -Syah, this looks very nice.

The film, The Blue-Blooded Reincarnation,

starring Candy Satrio as Raden Bentar,

Agus Kuncoro as Wanapati,

-Devi Permatasari as Garnis… -Let's watch the movie.

I don't want to.

We better hurry home. It's forbidden.

Says who?

Mrs. Syarifah.

She said cinemas are the devil's lair.

They don't separate men and women.

There's no proof of that rule, Syah.

That's just how she sees it.

Nis, let's just go home, okay?

It's fine.

Uncle Khudori said it all depends on our intentions.

Nissa, I don't think he even thinks about you anymore.

Shut up! He does think of me!

Assalamu'alaikum.

-Wa'alaikumsalam. -Do you want to watch a movie?

Why don't you just come with me, okay?

There's a new place

where men and women sit separately.

You wanna come?

I promise you, the movie will be much more thrilling. Come on.

-No, thank you. Next time perhaps. -Come on, it would be great.

-Come on. -Let's go, Aisyah.

-Where are you going? Come with me. -Let go.

-Let go, don't do this. -Come on.

Hey, let them go!

-Don't cause any trouble! -No, please forgive me.

-You want me to beat you? -Forgive me.

-Go away! -Yes, assalamu'alaikum.

My God, Nissa.

You're shaming our boarding school!

How could a Kyai 's daughter go to the cinemas?

-By God's name, Father, I didn't. -Don't you even mention God's name.

You lied to me, and instead of going to school, you ran off like that!

Stop it, dear…

This is my fault.

It's not Mom's fault, it's mine.

Shut up!

If the students' parents found out

that my daughter is behaving this way,

who would want to send their children to this school anymore?

Beg for God's forgiveness.

Let me punish her.

From now on, you cannot go beyond this school's walls anymore.

Starting tomorrow, you go straight home after school!

Sister!

Where are you going?

I need to buy sanitary pads.

You can't, let me buy it for you.

-Assalamu'alaikum. -Wa'alaikumsalam.

-Assalamu'alaikum. -Wa'alaikumsalam.

-Sir, do you have mail from Cairo? -No, miss.

There's one from Yogya for Ms. Anissa.

Thank God, I got accepted.

Sir, thank you.

I got accepted!

Miss, these letters are…

THE ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF YOGYAKARTA

It's only in Yogya, Father. It's not far from here.

And I don't have to pay anything. I got a scholarship.

It's not about the money, Anissa.

Then what?

You don't want your daughter to get an education?

I can't let you go there without a male relative.

So it's because I'm a woman? Is that what you mean?

You sold your land to send Reza to college in Madinah.

You took out a loan to send Wildan to college.

Why can't you do that for me?

They have to get a higher education, Nissa.

They're the ones who will lead this boarding school one day.

They will lead this boarding school, understand?

And what am I good for?

You'll understand after you get married…

have your own family,

have a husband, children…

That's the source of your merit, Nissa.

Thank God Nissa is one of her class's top students.

Smart, clever, creative.

She almost memorized the entire Qur'an.

She needs a man who can balance her out.

Someone like Din here,

a college graduate, right?

Mother, who is that?

Never mind.

You'll find out soon. Come wear this.

I'm the one who should be grateful

to be able to have relations with this family,

also for the bond between our schools, Al-Huda and Al-Ikhlas.

Oh, right.

I have something for you.

What?

What is this?

You already helped with Al-Huda's expenses this month.

Please, you have to accept it.

We're going to be in-laws soon.

We're no longer just related by our boarding schools.

Thank God, this is a little gift

from a Muslim benefactor in Mecca.

He wanted me to give this to Al-Huda.

Thank God.

Surely, this is a blessing.

-Amen. -Amen.

-Please, enjoy. -Thank you.

Here is my daughter.

Assalamu'alaikum, Anissa.

Assalamu'alaikum.

Wa'alaikumsalam.

I want to go to college, not get married!

Nissa!

He is my best friend's son.

A Kyai's son, a college graduate.

What more do you want?

No! I don't want to!

Nissa!

We are fortunate to be related to them.

Our school can grow bigger.

Many more students can study here.

You will get merits from God.

Al-Huda wouldn't be running without their support.

-Understand? -You always said

that fortune comes from God.

-Why do you say this now? -Once you're married,

you can go to school anywhere you want.

because you'll have a husband.

A woman without a spouse

can be a source of slander.

Look at your mother.

If she didn't marry me, she wouldn't be a Kyai's wife.

Think about it carefully, Nis.

Your father is right.

You can always go to college later.

Samsudin can accompany you…

and we wouldn't be worried about you.

Samsudin bin Abdullah,

you are hereby married and wedded

to Anissa binti Hanan, with the dowry,

a set of prayer equipment paid in cash.

I accept my marriage to her with the dowry mentioned.

-Legal? -Legal.

Thank God.

FOUR YEARS LATER

You die now.

Nissa!

Anissa!

You're early.

You usually won't be home for another night.

It's nice to be you.

You can come home whenever you like.

What's that supposed to mean?

When can I go to college?

Why would you think about going to college?

You have a good life now.

Just sit still and peacefully at home.

Wait for your husband to come home.

People respect you for being a Kyai's daughter-in-law.

What more do you want?

What more do you want?

I want to go to college.

I'll go crazy if I go on living like this with you.

Watch your mouth!

You're lucky I wanted to marry you.

Your father's boarding school wouldn't be as great as it is now

without my help, okay?

Do you want me to close down the school?

Do you?

Cockroach.

Assalamu'alaikum, what do you need?

Wa'alaikumsalam, some chili please.

She's so pretty, right?

-She's even prettier now. -Yes.

Anything else?

That's all.

Thank you.

-But I heard, -Yes?

Anissa was sacrificed by her family.

For what?

Gus Udin's family wanted him to get married

so his misbehavior would stop.

But instead, it became even worse.

That's not nice.

Coffee, Nissa!

Hey, coffee!

Throw them all out, smash them.

A stupid girl like you… How can your father say you're smart?

I am not stupid.

The maid said her employer was a college graduate.

You have to be careful. Who knows if he's still in love with you.

Nissa!

Anissa!

What is it?

What took you so long?

Come here, dear.

Do you want some coffee? Are you hungry?

Sit down.

You shouldn't be too harsh with your husband.

It's time for afternoon prayer.

Let's pray.

…because you gave him money like some bitch.

He asked Roni for some advice.

Hey.

Have you ever read Ahlaqul, Nissa?

Books such as Bulughul Maram?

Bidayatul Mujtahid? No?

Never?

What do you mean?

A Muslim wife,

has the obligation to "serve" her husband.

If she delays, then she will burn in hell.

-Do you understand? -I seek God's forgiveness.

Hey, even if you ask for God's forgiveness a thousand times, He won't listen.

You've sinned against your husband.

Please don't do this.

What?

Please, not here!

I'm bored doing it in bed!

A wife has the obligation to serve her husband.

When a husband asks his wife to have intercourse,

and the wife delays until he falls asleep,

then God's punishment will fall upon her.

Yes, Anissa.

If a wife asks her husband to have intercourse,

and her husband delays, what is his punishment?

If a husband divorces his wife

while the wife is trying hard to maintain their marriage,

what is the punishment for the husband?

-If a wife-- -Anissa, beg for God's forgiveness.

There are no rules about that in the Qur'an and the Hadith.

And no wife would ask her husband to have intercourse.

Not one. And even if there is, she must be very lustful.

Dear,

I need you.

I'm sorry, it's the first day of my period.

Another period? Is it?

You'll never get pregnant no matter how many times we have intercourse!

My father keeps asking when I'll have children.

He thinks I'm a fool.

You understand?

You barren woman!

Please, dear.

God! Please don't do this!

Shut up.

No, don't.

It hurts.

What hurts? You're pleasing your husband!

No, don't!

Oh, you want to kill me? Really?

Go on, kill me!

Kill your husband!

Not only will God punish you,

everyone will curse you because you killed your own husband!

Be careful, dear.

I'd rather be cursed by everyone than live with a husband like you!

Nissa! Where are you going?

Hey! Where are you going?

Let go of me! I want to leave! I can't take it anymore!

-Don't go! -Let go of me!

Don't go!

Please, Nis, don't go!

Don't go! Please forgive me!

Please don't go! No!

Please don't go, Nis. I beg you, please don't go.

Don't go.

Please.

Don't go.

It doesn't matter if we have children or not. I want you, Nis.

I want you.

I promise, you can do what you want. You can go to college, study, anything.

Please, Nissa.

I beg you, don't go.

Is this Gus Udin's house?

Yes, that's right.

Who are you?

My name is Kalsum.

Why do you need to see my husband?

Islam allows a man

to marry up to four times…

as long as he can be fair.

I promise you, I can be fair.

I…

I want a divorce, Mom.

Beg for God's forgiveness, Nissa.

God have mercy.

Oh, my God.

A husband will never remarry,

if the wife can satisfy him.

Please, dear. My belly is already big.

We can do it.

Use some pillows and a bolster.

It hurts.

There.

This is hell, Nissa.

The first time I met him,

he was very polite.

I knew he was married to you.

But he said…

you were not a woman of his choosing.

He often said bad things about you.

God knows what is in our hearts.

Kalsum…

Kalsum…

we have to go to the doctor.

Go on.

Go on, that's it. Take a deep breath.

Take a deep breath and push again.

Nissa,

please take care of Fadhilah for a while.

AL-HUDA ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL

-Assalamu'alaikum. -Wa'alaikumsalam.

Please come in.

Be patient. Everyone will get their turn.

Kyai is here, get some food.

Come on, ma'am.

Reza, Wildan.

-These are my sons. -I see.

-Assalamu'alaikum. -Wa'alaikumsalam, Reza.

Wildan.

So these sons of yours

will succeed you as the leaders of this school?

By God's will.

Hurry up.

I've been feeling chest pains lately.

Kyai, you need to go to a doctor.

Remember, God hates people who don't love themselves.

-Right, Kyai? -That's right.

By the way, where is that Cairo-graduate nephew of yours?

Go get your uncle.

-Please come inside. -Okay.

Come on.

Uncle Khudori.

Whoa!

I'll just be gone for three days.

It's been a while since I've seen my family.

And there's a festival there right now.

Hey, your daddy's here.

See, she leaves.

Look at the way she behaves.

A wife who always defies her husband.

If you forbid me to go, I will do as you say.

But at least say something, so I would understand.

Who said I'm forbidding you to go?

Even if I forbid you, you would still go, right?

Right?

Just go.

Go, don't just stand there.

Khudori, I think you've studied enough.

Now it's time for you to pass on the knowledge.

I hope you help your brothers

in running this boarding school.

By God's will, Kyai.

AL-HUDA MOSQUE

Who are you?

I can never forgive myself, Nissa.

Even until this very second.

Why did you leave me, Uncle?

I didn't want to get carried away by my inappropriate feelings for you.

So what is appropriate for me?

God will show you the best path, Nis.

You studied Islam all the way to Cairo, only to say that God will show me the way?

God did show me the best path, Uncle.

But that path had been cut off when you left.

Nissa,

please don't keep going to your parents house.

I can't please Sam all by myself.

My father is sick, Kalsum…

so I have to go back often.

I don't see my father that often either.

If you feel tormented, why don't you ask for a divorce?

Then who will feed Fadhilah?

You wouldn't understand.

You don't have any children.

Kalsum, don't be too dependent on men.

Or do you feel ashamed because you're a second wife?

You can take my position if you want.

I will gladly hand it to you.

What's the matter with you, Nis?

I seek God's forgiveness.

I seek God's forgiveness.

I seek God's forgiveness.

Assalamu'alaikum.

Wa'alaikumsalam.

There is a letter for you, ma'am.

FROM: KHUDORI

Maybe it's too late to say this.

But I never abandoned you, Nissa.

I swear to God.

You make me unable to love another woman.

But this is our fate.

If your best path was cut off because of my departure,

then cutting it off has become my regret.

Nissa! Anissa!

Hey, where is Nissa?

She went to Al-Huda Boarding School.

Her father has chest pains again.

Didn't she ask you permission?

Nissa!

You have to speak to your parents, Nissa.

It's no use, Uncle.

You know how Father and Mother are.

This school owes a lot to Al-Ikhlas.

Take me away, Uncle.

Only you can set me free.

-Take me away. -Beg for God's forgiveness, Nissa.

What? Beg for God's forgiveness?

Don't lecture me about begging God's forgiveness.

I know better about that.

I beg for God's forgiveness a lot, but He never listens.

God never listens when I glorify His name. He never listens to my prayers!

Nissa, Calm down.

I want you, Uncle.

I don't care about anything anymore.

Uncle.

Kiss me, Uncle.

-Make love to me! -No, don't Nissa.

So my parents would throw me out.

So I can be free!

Anissa, we'll settle your problem with Samsudin first.

There's nothing to settle!

Anissa,

we have to settle your problem with Samsudin first.

Okay?

After that…

After that, let's get married, Nis.

I want to start a good life with you, Nissa.

But this is not the right way.

Will you marry me, Nis?

-Yes. -Anissa.

You whore!

No, don't!

Uncle!

Uncle!

You whore!

-Anissa! -You're a whore.

Anissa!

Uncle! Let go of me!

Uncle!

What happened here?

They committed adultery.

-Help! -They committed adultery.

-That's a lie. -She's my wife. She committed adultery.

What punishment is appropriate for adulterers?

-Stone them! -Stone them!

-Stone them! -Stone them!

-Stone them! -Stone them!

-Stone them! -Stone them!

What's going on?

She committed adultery with him.

Nissa?

This is all a lie, Father.

What is the proof of Anissa's adultery?

Just ask those two.

Here. This is the proof.

-Stone them! -Stone them!

-Stone them! -Stone them!

Quiet!

Quiet, all of you!

What is going on here?

She committed adultery with him.

That's a lie, Mother.

Is this how your family repays my family,

after all the things that we did for this boarding school?

-This is slander, Mother! -Shut up!

You are guilty!

By the name of God,

and all of you here as witnesses,

I divorce you!

Punish them!

-God is the Greatest! -God is the Greatest!

-Punish them! -God is the Greatest!

-God is the Greatest! -God is the Greatest!

Dear God!

Stop this!

Only those who have never committed a sin…

can throw a stone.

-Father! -Father!

-Father! -Nissa!

-Father! -Father!

Carry him.

Carry him. Come on.

AL-HUDA ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL

If I was made from your rib

How can I make your life perfect?

If I exist because you exist

Then why can't you be by yourself?

If stories are no longer cheerful

Love blushes and becomes off-guard

As with my faith, I contain my pain

I keep myself strong

And worship Him

In my stance, I need no caressing

This simple ripeness is no decoration

The chain of love reaches for one's hold

To assure dreams within the faith

If stories are no longer cheerful

Love blushes and becomes off-guard

As with my faith, I contain my pain

I keep myself strong

And worship Him

Does Aisyah live in this flat?

That's right, please come in.

Assalamu'alaikum.

Assalamu'alaikum. Syah?

Wa'alaikumsalam.

You came early, Nis.

Darling, please meet Anissa.

I'm Anissa.

Let's sit down, Nis.

What's the matter?

My boyfriend is handsome, isn't he?

Now I understand why we were forbidden to get close to boys.

Well, you know, right?

Don't be surprised, Nis.

Many of our friends behave like I do.

I'm better than them. I still wear a hijab,

and I still respect my parents.

Do you remember Siti?

She now prefers to be called Sita.

Her clothes are always sexy.

And when the boys fondle her,

she lets them.

Thank you, Nis.

You advised me to study in Yogya.

It turns out, freedom feels good, Nis.

Yes, freedom does feel good.

Okay, any questions?

Anissa again?

Nobody else?

Okay, go ahead, Nis.

You said, everyone can write.

So what should we write about, ma'am?

Anything you want.

Or better yet,

you can write about something that concerns you.

What are you concerned about?

Freedom.

Why?

For Anida, "freedom" is an easy word to say

but difficult to have.

So every time she wakes up in the morning,

she always asks,

"What is freedom?"

Maybe freedom is like the air that she breathes,

and the sun that shines on her everyday…

that make her feel human.

Or, does freedom mean love?

Unfortunately, twilight always comes early to Anida's days,

and until she closes her eyes again,

she has yet to find the answer to the question that starts her day.

What is freedom?

THE TWILIGHT OF ANIDA'S WORLD, A SHORT STORY BY ANNISA

-Let me see, Nis. -Wait, I'm not yet finished.

Yay! You're a great writer!

Treat me to some food.

How can I treat you? I still owe you some money.

Here, my first installment.

No, just take me to a movie.

No way, it's forbidden.

Come on.

The movie was so great.

And the actress, Sophie Marceau,

was so good and inspirational, right, Syah?

Yeah.

Nis, How is Uncle Khudori?

Don't talk about him anymore.

Right now, I just want to live without the help of anyone from Al-Huda.

Except you.

So don't tell anyone that I'm here, okay?

Okay.

Assalamu'alaikum, Nissa.

Wa'alaikumsalam.

Nis, I'm so sorry. It's because Uncle Khudori really wants to see you.

Don't be mad at Aisyah, Nis.

I'm the one who begged her.

I need to talk to you, Nis.

What are you doing in Yogya?

Continuing your studies?

I teach now, Nis, at Yogyakarta Muhammadiyah University,

while writing my doctoral dissertation.

How are you? Do you still like to ride horses?

I have a friend in Bantul who has a horse farm.

I prefer to write now.

It's more fun than riding horses.

Forgive me, Nissa.

What for?

It's all my fault.

I shouldn't have acted the way I did.

I love you, Nis.

I want to marry you.

Don't talk like that again, Uncle.

I can't.

I'm serious, Nissa.

You can focus on your study,

or write, once you're married to me.

I can support your life.

The reason to marry isn't only that, Uncle.

It's not only for material pursuit.

MEGASTAR

I don't like politics. I only support Megawati

because she represents repressed people.

Whoa! And then what, La?

Mega for President?

Maybe, why not?

La, this is Indonesia.

A woman becoming the neighborhood chief is still called Mr. Chief.

Assalamu'alaikum.

-Wa'alaikumsalam. -Wa'alaikumsalam.

Ms. Maryam?

We do need a counselor like you, Nis.

Honestly, sometimes it's difficult to get the client to open up about themselves.

I believe you can do it.

Why did you suddenly pick me?

I have many friends, everywhere.

In Jakarta, Yogya, Cairo.

Sorry miss, I can't accept this job.

Nis…

this is not just about Khudori.

I'm serious, we do need a counselor like you.

It's up to you.

But I hope to see you next Monday in this office.

Okay?

I wish you don't think about me, Uncle.

Moreover, to find me a job.

I can do it myself.

It's impossible not to think about you, Nissa.

I love you.

I'm sorry if you feel burdened by it.

Let me decide which feelings I'll choose.

Forgive me, Uncle.

Mother?

I miss your father.

I also miss your sister, Nissa.

What is she doing in Yogya right now?

Is she healthy?

It's not her fault, Rez.

THE EARTH OF MANKIND BY PRAMOEDYA ANANTA TOER

"Don't call me a real woman if I live dependent on men."

"But it doesn't mean that I don't need a man to love."

Ontosoroh said.

From your uncle.

Why did you disappear just like that, Uncle?

I was wrong, Nis.

I took too long to think.

We're still related as uncle and niece because of your mother,

and even though we aren't related by blood,

we have a big age difference, Nissa.

And… your father wouldn't accept me, because I wasn't a Kyai's son, Nis…

even though I've studied from Gontor to Cairo.

You know that, right?

But you went away…

without a single word.

I didn't only lose my uncle.

I also lost the only person who protected me,

and my only best friend.

I can't face this again.

I won't be able to take it if you suddenly go away again.

Anissa binti Hanan…

In God's name, Nissa,

marry me.

Marry me.

Father.

A dead person can't come back to life, right?

I never had the chance to apologize to you.

Please forgive me, Father.

Forgive me too, Nis.

You have my blessing, Nis.

You have my blessing.

Khudori bin Slamet,

you are hereby married and wedded

to Anissa binti Hanan,

with the dowry, a set of prayer equipment,

paid in cash.

I accept my marriage

to Anissa binti Hanan, with the dowry mentioned, paid in cash.

How was it, witnesses?

Legal?

Here, drink your tea.

You haven't stopped typing.

Thank you, Uncle.

Jeez.

Please don't call me Uncle anymore, Nis.

Call me something else.

I can't, I'm used to it.

Just call me Khudori.

Even Aisyah called the Prophet "Muhammad."

Why can't you call me by name?

I don't want to, it feels weird.

Okay then,

just call me "love", okay?

"Love"?

-Why? -That's so corny.

Corny?

What then?

I'll just call you "dear," okay?

Okay?

-Any alternative? -None.

-Okay. -Okay, dear?

If you cannot obey your husband, then sleep outside.

It's not that I don't obey you,

but I'm exhausted.

There's no excuse for a wild woman like you!

I want a divorce!

I want a divorce!

I want a divorce!

Nis.

Please don't do this

Nissa.

Please, not here!

I'm bored doing it in bed!

Nis.

No!

Nissa.

He raped me, dear.

-Okay. -He raped me.

-Yes, I'm sorry. -He raped me.

Yes, I apologize.

He raped me, dear.

Please calm down, Nissa.

I'm sorry, dear.

I can't be a perfect wife for you.

It's not your fault.

I…

Beg for God's forgiveness, Nis.

Beg for God's forgiveness.

I seek God's forgiveness.

A husband and wife's relationship…

needs to be done correctly.

In this relationship, you also have rights.

And we don't have to do anything if you're not ready.

Okay, dear?

I can't take it anymore.

I can't take it.

He always tortures me.

-Why don't you try to run away? -I can't.

Have you ever tried to run away?

I can't.

-No. -You can.

-You can do it if you want to. -I can't!

I have a child!

Every time my husband…

asks me to go to bed…

my stomach suddenly cramps up,

but I hide it…

because my husband would be furious.

He would be furious.

He would be furious.

Eat your breakfast, Nis.

I hereby decide,

that the two parties are now divorced.

Thank you.

-Thank you so much. -Yes.

-You've given me a new life. -Yes.

Miss, thank God.

This is all because of your own effort.

You deserve a better life.

-Go on. -Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

You've really helped me.

-You're welcome. -Thank you.

I'm proud of you, Nis.

That poor woman.

Fortunately, all her problems are over now.

And you know what Ms. Maryam said to me?

What?

She was so proud of me.

-Really? -I'm so happy.

Dear?

I can't live without you.

You can live without me, Nis.

You shouldn't say something like that.

It's true, dear. I need you.

Let's go to Malioboro.

I want to go home.

I want you.

You're so pretty, dear.

Nis, do you remember my friend, Mr. Ruli?

Mr. Ruli?

The philosophy professor.

Oh, yeah. I remember him. What about him?

His child was born.

A cute baby girl.

She weighs 3.5 kilograms.

They said his wife had to do a C-section, Nis.

Because her pregnancy was already ten months.

Okay.

We can adopt a child if you're so impatient.

What's the matter with you, Nis?

Excuse me, dear.

Ms. Maryam also adopted a child.

She can help us.

Why should we adopt if we can have our own child?

What if I'm sterile?

You would leave me, right?

A child is a blessing from God, Nissa.

Don't be too pessimistic.

Also, if someone can't have a child,

that doesn't mean she's sterile.

Things could happen. If a woman is stressed during intercourse,

it can make ovulation difficult.

And we can consult with a doctor first.

But I think I'm sterile, dear.

-That's why when I-- -Nis.

Nis.

Now let me ask you.

What if I'm the one that's sterile?

Will you leave me?

I'm sorry, dear.

I don't know why I suddenly think that way.

Maybe because…

Because I really want to have a child.

Maybe it's better if you talk to someone who understands better, Nis.

Like your mother.

Assalamu'alaikum.

AL-HUDA ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL

This plant is withered, water it.

Yes, ma'am.

You go get the water.

Wait, I want to do an impression of Mrs. Syarifah.

Sari, come!

Who else? Oh, Kyai Ali.

He's old.

Again.

Get up, there's Ms. Anissa.

Forgive us, miss. This is the first time we skipped class.

Please don't tell on us.

-Skipped class? -Yes, miss.

We only went out to buy a magazine.

But we were forbidden to go.

Kyai Reza said women shouldn't go out without a male relative.

You can relax.

Even I don't want to go back to the boarding school.

Let's sit down.

Come on, sit down.

What book is that, miss?

It's The Earth of Mankind

by Pramoedya Ananta Toer.

He's a famous author.

Do you know where he wrote this book?

-Where? -In jail.

The school will never change

as long as Reza still thinks conservatively.

Change happens gradually, Nissa.

I heard the school is now far better than when your father was the leader.

Right?

But female students are still not encouraged to think openly.

Ulfah said

they are still debating on the pros and cons

of buying a computer for the school administration.

Does the food smell bad?

-No. -Is it stale?

Here.

-No, it's not. -Let me try yours.

-How is it? -This one isn't.

It's not.

You're acting like a pregnant woman.

Don't get my expectations up now.

-Hey, Nis. -Yes?

Aren't you supposed to have had your period two weeks ago?

Right?

There.

Nothing has changed from last month.

There is a problem with your uterus, Nis.

It can cause miscarriages.

So what should I do, Doc?

Take an early maternity leave.

Bed rest. Do you have a maid at home?

Then you rest with your family, so you have someone to take care of you.

The grannies must be happy.

There's going to be a little one in the house.

No, I don't want to!

I've lived there for 17 years.

I don't want to.

I'd rather stay with your family.

You want to be in a cramped room with five other people?

You could have a miscarriage.

Please.

And what about your job?

What about my job?

Nissa, I'm sorry to intervene,

but as a doctor, I would advise you

to make a decision based on logic.

It's for your child's sake.

I thought you'd forgotten the way home.

Where is Reza?

He's gone to Surabaya, Mom.

There's a Qur'an recitation event.

You don't need to lie.

I know Reza doesn't want to come home because Khudori is here.

Forgive me, Mother, Brother.

It's nobody's fault.

Everyone has principles.

What's important is to be sincere and tolerant to each other's principles.

You're wise, Mom.

-Assalamu'alaikum. -Wa'alaikumsalam.

Miss, can I borrow another book?

Yes, miss.

I've read that book three times.

I want to borrow your books too, miss.

-Ukhti, why don't we make a library? -Why not?

Why don't you start writing yourselves,

and then you exchange with each other?

We've done that many times, miss.

We also want to become a great writer like you.

Please tell Kyai Reza.

AL-HUDA ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL

Hopefully you'll have a son, so he can continue his grandfather's work…

-Amen. -Amen.

and become a great Kyai, who's famous even in Mecca.

-Amen. -Amen.

Uncle, when will you teach here?

The students are asking.

Right?

That's right, Gus.

Share your knowledge from Cairo.

Don't just share it with Nissa.

Thank God,

we can start building classes next month,

and rooms for the new students.

Thank God.

If it's okay, I want to build a library.

I want to teach about writing,

so the students can channel their creativity.

I seek God's forgiveness.

They are not you, Nis.

We can't teach them

to be wild women.

They could let go of their nature.

Which nature do you mean?

The nature that a woman should be dependent on her husband?

Accepting her husband's abuse?

-Or-- -You can't make them become like you.

They'll become like me,

if you don't give them room to speak their mind.

A woman will get her paradise without having to speak her mind.

God mentioned it in the Qur'an.

By behaving correctly,

women already get their paradise.

-Isn't that right, Kyai? -That's right.

You have to remember, Nissa.

Change will happen gradually.

Rome wasn't built in one day.

If I don't do this, Reza would think that I'm not serious.

Share your knowledge, even if only in one sentence.

That's what you've always said.

Yes, but it's about how you deliver it.

It doesn't have to be with a stubborn approach.

Remember, you're pregnant, Nis.

Let my child feel the spirit of his mother fight.

Miss.

Distribute this.

I called my friend in Yogya to send more books for you.

-Yes, Assalamu'alaikum, miss. -Wa'alaikumsalam.

I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about

equality among humans.

-Including the equality of women. -Careful, don't get caught.

We have to be able to differentiate which things are nature,

and which are nurture.

Nature is that women give birth, while men don't.

And nurture is when both men and women

have the same opportunity and space to be creative,

to develop themselves, and to study.

Something like "women should stay in the kitchen"

actually isn't nature,

but is just the shape of the culture.

Please hurry and send them.

The students here really need those books.

Yes, and please, the photocopied versions are okay too.

Yes, right.

Yes, thank you. Assalamu'alaikum.

This is dangerous, Nis.

These books are forbidden.

Nis, this is dangerous for the school.

No, it's okay.

Let me carry it for you.

No need, Wildan, I can carry it myself.

Dear God, Nissa?

-Nis! -What happened?

Reza! Mother!

Sir, please get the car.

Reza! Please!

-I can't take it, dear. -Yes, dear.

Please take another breath, ma'am.

Come on, dear.

Yes, good.

Push, ma'am.

THE NOVICE, CHILDREN OF ALL NATIONS, THE EARTH OF MANKIND, KASIDAH CINTA

Love Under the Mosque Dome,

Unrequited Love,

My Shackled Passion.

Kyai, these are the students' works after they've read these books.

These are the ones I confiscated,

and I'm sure there are a lot more.

This is outrageous!

Your sister and Khudori need to be stopped.

The students' parents might lose trust in this school.

Dear God!

And as the leader,

you must be firm!

Are you hot, Mahbub?

Poor thing.

What's important is that the school can grow bigger.

That's all my father wanted.

After all, we're still relatives, right?

Okay?

I just want to remind you

that the installment needs to be paid before the end of the month.

Okay?

Because the money is needed to expand my father's school.

-Assalamu'alaikum, Anissa. -Wa'alaikumsalam.

So the money to develop this school is not from our sugarcane harvest?

Reza.

Don't interfere, Nis.

Our family's sugarcane plantation is no longer dependable.

The sugarcane market is languid now.

Not only in Jombang, but in all of East Java, Nis.

But there must be a better way than being a slave.

Nis.

Come here.

Please forget what happened in the past.

A good Muslim has to be able to forgive

and keep a good relationship.

I can forgive Khudori, right?

Nis!

-Sam! -Nis.

Dear.

I want to go back to Yogya as soon as possible.

I can put up with Reza.

But I have a bad feeling if Samsudin is around.

What's wrong, dear?

It's this.

The brake pads are worn out.

Your brothers must've forgotten to replace it.

Just take the public transport.

It's safer.

This isn't a big problem, Nis.

I can stop by the repair shop.

The bike is faster.

I can get there quicker.

So can I get the tickets…

so that my beautiful wife would stop pestering me?

Okay, then.

-Please be careful. -Sure.

Nissa.

Whatever happens…

I will always be there with you.

Dear?

Uncle?

Dad?

Uncle?

Dear?

Dear?

This is all my fault.

This is all my fault.

Why did you leave me, dear?

I can't live without you.

You can live without me, Nissa.

How long can I go on, dear?

Rome wasn't built in a day, Nis.

Whatever happens,

I will always be there with you.

A prison can confine your body,

but it cannot confine your heart and mind, Nissa.

4 YEARS LATER

If you're really serious about having a library,

I will help you.

Because I'll always be here.

But remember, no more running away, okay?

Your parents have trusted me to look after you.

Miss, what if we get expelled?

Hurry and report this to Kyai Ali.

I will defend you.

Thank God.

A modern library is not necessary…

because we already have a library.

And we don't need your modern books,

because it corrupted our students' morality and faith.

These books were written by infidels.

-There's nothing about it in the Qur'an. -Come on.

Nothing is more right in this world

than the holy Al-Qur'an.

We know what is right and wrong from books.

We also find out about places we've never been to from books.

-Ijah. -Yes, ma'am?

Let Mahbub study with you.

All of that is in the Holy Book, Nis.

There's no need for your modern books.

What's wrong with modern books?

-It's wrong if you read it here! -Be quiet, all of you!

Can't you show more appropriate behavior as an example to your students?

Don't call this a boarding school,

if it's only here to show off your own righteousness.

Please take care of Mahbub, Mother.

Yeah.

I'm leaving now.

Be a good boy, Mahbub.

My father bought all this wood, sand, and paint for this place.

He must be loaded.

Of course.

Nissa, my condolences to you on your husband's death.

Thank you.

Hey--

Don't do something you'll regret.

Reza is the one who owes you, not me.

Too bad I didn't get the chance to see Khudori's face

-when he was dying. -What do you mean?

Nis, come on.

Where are you going?

It's better if you re-marry me.

Poor Kalsum is all alone.

It's okay.

I'm not the same Nissa as your former wife, Sam.

Watch your mouth! I'll kill you right here if I need to.

Listen Sam, don't try and mess with this family.

What if I want to mess with your family?

What would you do? What can your brothers do?

What can they do?

They're stupid.

Right? Hey!

"Walyatama wal masakin

wal jaarizil qurban."

Sari, what are you reading?

Nothing, ma'am.

Give me the book.

Give me the book.

-Give me the book. -Forgive me.

Give me the book!

NIGHT ELIE WIESEL

Come with me.

NIGHT

UNDER A HANGING COAT

This is Anissa's too.

Everything belongs to Anissa?

My dear God!

One more student got caught red-handed.

Bring her in!

Dear God, she read this book.

It's written by a communist.

Let me see.

THE EARTH OF MANKIND

Anissa?

-Forgive me, ma'am. -Forgive me, ma'am.

You can go.

-Mother? -You can go.

Ma'am?

-Kyai? -Kyai?

Dear God.

Dan.

Reza?

I don't want anyone else finding out about these books.

I don't want the school to have a problem with the government.

Burn all these books.

Burn it all.

"Thou shalt not confuse between right and wrong,

and thou shalt not hide what's right if you know it."

-God is the Greatest! -God is the Greatest!

-God is the Greatest! -God is the Greatest!

God is the Greatest!

-God is the Greatest! -Burn them!

-God is the Greatest! -God is the Greatest!

God is the Greatest!

Burn them!

-God is the Greatest! -God is the Greatest!

-Burn them! -God is the Greatest!

-God is the Greatest! -God is the Greatest!

Hurry, Sari.

INDONESIAN LEGAL AID FOUNDATION LEGAL ASSISTANCE YOGYAKARTA

Hello?

Ms. Anissa, someone wants to talk to you.

-It's from the boarding school. -Yes, put him through.

What's wrong, Brother?

Do you know where Ulfah and her friends are?

-Hello. -Yes.

I heard Gajah Mada University students are holding a writing workshop,

is that right?

WRITING SEMINARS: WRITING IS EASY

My God, it's so good.

We have to come back again.

Tomorrow, okay?

Ulfah!

You all made everyone worried.

Come here.

Please tell me what's going on.

We can't take it anymore, miss. They burned all your books.

Yes, but…

running away is not the solution.

Then what? Stay in the school?

Stay ignorant and dumb? Watch your books being burned?

I want to be like you.

Free.

The speaker was great, miss.

She said we can write anywhere.

That's why you have to go back.

You can write at the school.

You don't have to write in Yogya.

-But, miss-- -Don't you want the school

to be a comfortable place the way you all wanted?

Only you yourselves can make it a comfortable place.

Now, help me to make the change happen.

I don't want to go back, miss. I'm staying here.

No, you have to go back.

No, miss.

You said writing comes from the imagination.

And you also said you can imagine anywhere, right?

Yes, but to start imagining, I need to get in the mood.

And I can't get in the mood at school.

Mood is created. You don't wait for it.

Where do you think the book The Earth of Mankind was written?

In the free world?

It was written in jail.

That's much worse than the school.

Understand?

AL-HUDA ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL

Thank you, Nissa.

Ulfah, come here.

You have to be punished for shaming the school.

-I'm sorry. -They didn't do anything wrong.

Mrs. Syarifah,

don't.

I learned one thing from them…

and that is, freedom must be earned.

What they did was wrong.

But we can't create a situation

-that leads them to do something wrong. -But you were never here.

You don't know what's wrong and what's right.

I will not go anywhere this time.

I will stay here.

And you want to teach them to be wild?

Is that so?

Nis, our father built this school

so that women will have good morals.

So when they have families of their own,

they will have good and harmonious relationships.

You all are future Muslim women,

future wives for your beloved husbands…

And future mothers for your beloved children.

God's promised heaven

is under our feet,

women.

But remember one thing.

God also grants freedom to all humanity.

Whatever you're going to be,

choose God's path freely,

and with a sincere heart.

That way, by God's will,

we will live peacefully and free from hatred.

Mother.

please forgive me.

Nobody is at fault here.

Why do you always stay silent?

Being silent doesn't mean that I don't support you.

There are things that we can't do

the way we want to do it.

We are women

who live in unequal circumstances,

just like what you always say.

All I can do is stay silent.

Maybe you don't agree with me…

but at that time,

if I was defiant…

our family would've fallen apart.

But someday, you have to say

how you feel…

and what is on your mind.

You can't stay silent forever.

I respect you and Father.

I never wanted to disappoint the two of you.

Every action has its own consequences.

The important thing is how we deal with those consequences.

And you,

you have already dealt with it.

I'm so proud of you.

I'm so proud.

LETTER OF DEBT AGREEMENT

Well, I think that is a fair way to settle your debt.

-Sam. -What?

But this was not in our first agreement.

Well, what can I do? My father's friend in Saudi Arabia wants an earlier payment.

Anissa is getting prettier by the day.

What are you saying, Sam?

I have already forgiven her.

And I want to marry her again.

Well, following our Prophet.

It's good to marry a widow.

-Hey! -Stop it, Wildan.

You're out of line!

Don't be disrespectful!

Calm down.

So?

Do you want to be my in-laws again?

We'll consider your debt settled,

and, well…

you'll get double the merits from God.

You're out of line, you bastard!

-Don't be disrespectful! -Take him!

I swear I can be really harsh on you, Sam!

-Get out! -You have some nerve!

-Get out. -You're insolent!

-Get him out! -I'll drive you bankrupt!

-Get out! -This school is this big

because of my father!

Otherwise, you'd be poor!

Reza, I want to use the room that was used by Khudori for a library.

If you want to burn these books again,

I'm fine with it, Reza.

Girls!

Girls! New books!

New books! Girls!

Come here!

New books?

AL-HUDA LIBRARY

Girls, come on in!

What was Father like, Mother?

Father looks exactly like you,

especially the lips.

Abi is the second kindest person in my life.

That's why you have to be a kind boy too.

Who is the first person, Mother?

The first person's name was Mutmainah.

-Who is that? -It's your grandmother, dear.

Subtitle translation by: May Sarah