It’s been almost two years since I moved to Jakarta, to a shared house that we collectively call ‘Melati Library’–just because we have small shelves where we keep our collection of books, but I’m not going to talk about books this time. Having a decent living room with a TV in this house is pretty neat, especially when you and your friends are well versed in in film culture. Sometimes I would tell my friends that I’m pretty tired to hang out outside and invite them to come over to my house so we can lie around in the living room. During these instances of staying-in hangouts, we would watch a series or movies while having lunch or dinner. It is also not rare that we would just browse what’s on the TV and talk about the choices on screen without even choosing to watch–”oh, have you seen the Piano Teacher? I can’t stand finishing it because apparently it’s quite graphic!”; “I’m so anticipating the upcoming Josh O’connor’s films”; “have you seen any Araki’s movies? I’ve been wanting to watch it, but never had the chance to do it”. So on and so on, we often whine about the mile long watch list that we never really commit and end up worrying our cinephile status would get revoked.

I don’t remember exactly when it started to be more regular, but I remember that Yez sparked a question, “what if we watch more movies in Melati? I’d be more motivated to watch movies together than in my room alone”. After that, in 2025, screenings at Melati Library happened more often which we would ‘collectively curate’ the films that we’re gonna watch. It didn’t actually increase my personal watches in a year because I actually watched less films last year, but I’m happy that I had more conversations about films and I want to share what I and my friends had watched at this house.

Queer (2024)

Luca Guadagnino is one of my favorite directors for a cliché reason–it began with Call Me by Your Name (2017) and led me to indulge in his ‘Desire Trilogy’ which explores the theme of longing and intimacy that’s sometimes taboo in nature. Queer (2024) revisits the same theme of ultimate yearning and it was one of the first films that I watch with friends at home. Instead of ‘is it better to speak or to die?’ Queer would ask the question, ‘is it better to speak or to do drugs?’. Each time Daniel Craig’s cravings for Drew Starkey was unfed, he would go for the heroin instead and it feeds him into hallucinations. I feel totally seen when the desire was met–Guadagnino beautifully created a scene where Craig’s and Starkey’s characters melt into each other’s skin.

The Living End (1992)

The first film we watch through a curation, The Living End (1992) was recommended by Tada. I think it was the second film Araki’s film that left me traumatized after Mysterious Skin (2004). However, I did enjoy the passion between the two main characters, so much angst and how they would just yolo throughout the story. All I can see is Rihanna’s singing ‘we found love in a hopeless place’ when they fight each other but ended up kissing.

Green Porno (2008)

As a palate cleanser, we would sometimes watch romcoms or play some music videos. But that time, after being traumatized by The Living End (1992), we refreshed ourselves with the ingenious Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno (2008). It’s sort of a funny biology lessons, you know. And my favorite quote from her: “sadomasochism excites me”.

Secrets & Lies (1996)

We signed up for drama when we decided to watch Secrets & Lies (1996), but we signed out of it after not even a half of the film. Sometimes when the pace is too slow, we wouldn’t continue the film. We agree that such films can only be watched when we’re alone or if it is screened in a movie theatre. But I managed to finish it by myself a few days later and I found the casts in this film did an amazing job,

A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

Would watching a 4 hour arthouse film at a house party be a good idea? Absolutely not. We didn’t our lesson from screening Secrets & Lies (1996). Fifteen minutes in the film, we decided to end it because the pace is much slower. Even after, I finished it by myself in three parts. I can say that A Brighter Summer Day (1991) is a coming-of age film like no other. Beautiful cinematography.

Bugonia (2025)

Bugonia (2025) was the film that we fully enjoyed thoroughly at the yearend. I would say this is Yorgos’ attempt to play the guessing game with the audience and we had a fun ride with it. Some of my friends think that Emma’s performance in this film is better than in Poor Things (2023).

Good Morning (1959)

A spectacle towards the Japanese’s gossip culture in the middle-class suburbs, Good Morning (1959) reminds me a lot of how we’re doing it in Java, or even Asia. Although the film was trying to be funny, I found it off-putting just because it portrays Asian parenting style and it reminds me of the negative memories of home.

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Among these films, we actually watched some light ones such as Spy (2015) and the others that I can’t remember, which includes some series as well. I’m happy to be able to host movie nights with my friends, and honestly, it’s a privilege. As for this year, I’m really keen to watch more documentaries than last year–or maybe not, because I failed to watch more films in 2025 anyway.