Sari, Alek, and the Reflection of Jakarta's Inhabitants

Part Two of Thoughts After Watching "A Copy of My Mind"

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In the first part, I wrote about the image of Jakarta as portrayed in the film titled A Copy of My Mind. As one can guess from the title of this essay, in here I will put the spotlight on the other aspects of the film. There can be no movie without a character, likewise, there can be no city without its inhabitants. Without doubt, what is essential in creating the Jakarta it is today is its people. A Copy of My Mind’s reenactment of Jakarta seemingly does not forget to regard the people. The film does it directly through the scenes and indirectly through the way the characters live their life. The protagonists have their own individual traits and means to reflect Jakarta’s inhabitants. Spending quiet a long time in Jakarta have created a bond between them and the city. But the bond is unseen from the naked eye. It is less of a straightforward love-hate relationship with the city, rather more of the city’s influence on shaping its characters traits.

For the second part, I would advise to watch the movie beforehand, in order to better grasp the story and the characters involved in it. If one hasn’t, the general synopsis is written in the next paragraph.

A Copy of My Mind revolves around the life and eventual romance of Sari (Tara Basro) and Alek (Chicco Jerikho). Sari is a beautician whose joy is found in watching bizarre monster movies, unfortunately limited to pirated DVDs as she is not financially well off. Alek, on the other hand, writes subtitles for pirated movies and is the perfect man to do those kind of work as he doesn’t seem to have ID cards and even a phone. Both of them met when Sari complained about the poor subtitles, and coincidentally, Alek is the writer. Alek persuades Sari, or to be more precise, threaten Sari in a romantic fashion to watch a movie together at his place. From this, their relationship blooms to a charming romance. However, all the hearts and cupids came to a halt when she discovers something that shouldn’t be seen. In the end, the couple will have to retain their integrity to face the harsh consequence or risk losing their beloved.

The characters, specifically Sari and Alek, are an authentic representation of the people in this city. They are the reflection of the typical inhabitants of Jakarta. Coming from other parts of Indonesia, lower-middle class, and desperately living paycheck to paycheck. Sari herself is a perantau or an economic migrant who has just lived in Jakarta for two years. Her place is a dilapidated boarding house with 100 cramped rooms and just 10 bathrooms. Every morning, Sari hears the prayer call to wake up and she has to queue before cleaning herself. Other realities surround Alek, he’s undocumented and works in an illegal industry. As harsh as it sounds, Alek is the reflection of Jakarta’s dwellers as there are thousands of undocumented workers trying to earn a living in the capital. Alek works for shady people offering him subtitle works from blockbuster movies to porn. He knows the people around him. He meets his boss in the grey painted backalley of aging shophouse rows. When the sun goes down, Alek participates in illegal motorcycle racing, the loud exhaust sound is commonly heard throughout the city. He seems to be irreligious, obviously seen when he answers “maybe” the moment Sari asks him about his faith. A little bit on the contrary, even though Alek’s place still looks as dilapidated as Sari’s, it is more spacious and every morning the sound of prayer call isn’t heard as he is living in the Glodok Chinatown.

Silent yet strong willed, independent, but gentle inside, are how Anwar portrays Sari as a woman living by herself in Jakarta. In the opening scene, Sari showed that she is fiercely independent, not having any interest in a marriage. Her ideals could be the reason why her relationship with Alek quickly grew in a sensuous one. Throughout the film, one should not mistake her reserved manner being analogous to submission to her fate. She carries out her day without complain, silently bearing the heat of Kopaja and working her not so well-paid job. Her smile being the strive to for a better day despite little to no hope of getting out of the financial hole she is in. Her idealism, meanwhile, applies for almost everything except politics. Apathy is her choice of political party, despite surrounded by massive campaign during the 2014 presidential election. One could also see the courage when she dared to confront the corrupt middleman. Her way of fighting back is a mirror to her wit and integrity. Even in her first encounter with her future SO, she is undaunted to channel her frustration of the horrid subtitles with brash phrases. Although behind the resilience, lies the humane side of Sari. I found myself weeping inside, the desolation Sari feels when she is standing in the balcony bathed by sunlight, reminiscing the days gone by during the ending scene. Sailing through life by herself in Jakarta, Sari’s character is an inevitable outcome of her conditions. This city is a relentless place, it requires its people to withstand everything that life throws at them. The perception of a hopeless government, is the main cause of her political apathy and the fierce anti-corruption attitude.

On the other hand, Alek went through his life in his own manner. He’s undoubtedly sociable and decisive in his action. Alek’s early scene in shows him having a lot of connections, a thing needed in his field of work. He knows the city offers limitless possibilities, including illegal one. When he first met Sari, Alek’s dodgy mind and his connection helped him persuades Sari. In the relationship, his looks matched equally with his affection. His words are to be taken seriously, as he firmly holds his principles. Clearly, Alek is a tangible representation of the people working in the “hidden” parts of Jakarta. The parts out of the reaches of the law, where deals are done behind closed doors. Both him and Sari are shaped by the pressure of Jakarta’s environment. In a way different with Sari, Alek is the people who took the press in a more unrestrained manner. Unrestrained but not necessarily meaning weaker and more fragile. Rather than taking a “defensive” position, Alek prefers a laid back one. This less serious and hands-off personality is mirrored from his meantime activities like betting and street racing. To an extent, his condition and mentality may have affected his view on religion. The “I do it my way” personality of Alek is not a thing seen only in films, one could also see those in real life.

Sari and Alek are individually reciprocal with their society, however their relationship is the inverse of it. Their relationship will surely get them scolded if the public finds out. As in every eastern country, the ideal couple are the ones who haven’t had sex before marriage. Sari and Alek’s bond is maybe something that people, especially parents, not looking forward to, but I did not view that in a rigid morality spectacle. The relationship is the embodiment of their sense of responsibility towards each other. Sari and Alek’s putting little emphasis on religious doctrines may also have played a part. Both of them knew they have a choice and are mature enough to decide. Life is harsh, and they are not afraid to manifest their love and the need to be loved. Surrounded by gloomy clouds of life and the city’s never-ending problems, the one who is able to bring them warmth are their better half. After the abrupt end of their relationship, Sari’s eyes are witness of her hopeless melancholy. And yet, the realization of life must go on further deepens the stab.

Their experience living in Jakarta has made Sari and Alek each a distinct, nevertheless alike individual. Unconsciously, the city has shaped them, making them a resemblance of Jakarta’s people. For Sari, it is her strength and independence. Meanwhile for Alek, it is his carefree and resolute attitude. They pose as an echo of Jakarta’s people. In spite of that, Sari and Alek are unique on their own, having their own attributes and their way of facing the surrounding pressure. Along with their relationship being a place where they could display their emotions, set loose their tender core.

is available on Netflix.