Adapted and based on a literary work by Eka Kurniawan, Indonesia’s Edwin has won the Golden Leopard for best film at the 2021 Locarno International Film Festival for his latest feature, “Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash.”
Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash competed with films from other countries, one of which is Zeros and Ones directed by Ethan Hawke. This film tells the story of Ajo Kawir (played by Marthino Lio), a man who is not afraid to die. His great desire to fight is fueled by a secret, by being impotent. When fighting a tough female fighter named Iteung (Ladya Cheryl), Ajo lost and fell in love.
This is also the first time in Locarno’s 74-year history that the Golden Leopard has gone to a filmmaker from Indonesia. This international award has earned Indonesian films recognition. Joko Anwar, one of Indonesia's great directors, hopes that this award should trigger all Indonesian filmmakers to raise the bar.
Apart from Joko Anwar, Sandiaga Uno, as the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, also praised.
“Appreciation to filmmakers who, amid limitations due to the pandemic, have succeeded in creating jobs. Making the nation proud by successfully winning the Locarno Film Festival, held in Switzerland, Europe, through the film Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas," said Sandiaga on his Instagram account, Sunday, August 15, 2021.
