Watch The Seen and Unseen

The Seen and Unseen is a 2017 Indonesian drama film directed by Kamila Andini. It tells the story of a 10-year-old girl named Tantri, played by Thaly Titi Kasih, who is trying to come to terms with her twin brother's illness. The film is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the power of imagination. The film begins with a prologue that shows Tantri and her brother Tantra playing on a beach, dressed in traditional Balinese clothing. They are inseparable, and they share a bond that is unlike any other. However, Tantra becomes seriously ill, and as a result, he is confined to a hospital bed, leaving Tantri to deal with the absence of her other half.

The film is divided into two parts: the "Seen" and the "Unseen." In the first part, we see Tantri's everyday life as she tries to cope with her brother's illness. She visits him at the hospital, takes care of him as much as she can, and tries to find ways to make him feel better. The hospital scenes are shot with a sense of detachment, as if we, as an audience, are watching the events from a distance.

However, the second part of the film, the "Unseen," is where the real magic happens. Tantri's vivid imagination takes over, and we are transported to a world where dreams and reality blend seamlessly. In this world, Tantra is no longer sick, and he and Tantri are free to play and explore together. The world that Andini creates is full of whimsy and wonder - it's a world that captures the essence of childhood.

One of the most striking elements of the film is the way that it uses Balinese culture and mythology to tell its story. The film is set against the backdrop of the traditional Balinese calendar, and it features scenes of Balinese dance and puppetry. These elements add a layer of depth and meaning to the film - they help to convey the idea that there is more to life than what we can see and touch.

Thaly Titi Kasih delivers a stunning performance as Tantri, carrying the film on her small shoulders. She brings a sense of innocence and wonder to the film, and her portrayal of a girl struggling to hold on to her childhood in the face of illness is heartbreaking. Ida Bagus Putu Radithya Mahijasena and Ayu Laksmi are also excellent in their roles as Tantri's parents, bringing a sense of gravitas and emotion to the film.

The film is shot with an eye for detail, and the cinematography is absolutely gorgeous. The use of light and shadow is particularly effective, and it helps to create a dreamlike atmosphere that is both enchanting and melancholic. The score, composed by Yasuhiro Morinaga, is also exceptional - it perfectly captures the mood of the film and adds to its emotional impact.

Overall, The Seen and Unseen is a beautiful, poetic film that explores themes of love, loss, and imagination in a way that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. It's a film that sticks with you long after the credits roll, and it's a testament to the power of cinema to transport us to other worlds and open up our minds to new possibilities.

The Seen and Unseen is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.