The Cinematheque

Vancouver Premiere

“Taut, suspenseful, and thrilling … Tumpal Tampubolon’s slow-burning debut explores the emotional complexities that can exist between mothers and sons, especially with authoritarian parenting, which imposes power in the name of love.”

June Kim, TIFF

Twenty-year-old Johan (Yusuf Mahardika) and his mother (Marissa Anita) live a peculiarly isolated life caring for a derelict crocodile park in the lush terrain of rural West Java. On a rare evening out, Johan meets a young woman named Arumi (Zulfa Maharani) who recently started working at a karaoke bar in a nearby village. Soon the two become romantic, and the uncomfortably close relationship between mother and adult son begins to unravel. Overbearing qualities quickly turn into obsession as the mother’s spiral into madness leads to a bizarre series of events and a chilling conclusion. In his much anticipated feature-length debut, Tumpal Tampulolon expands the motherhood horror subgenre, situating an Indonesian coming-of-age story in a disquieted atmosphere with supernatural overtones.

In Indonesian with English subtitles

“Crocodile Tears has all the elements for shlocky B‑movie fare but Tampubolon keeps his focus on the central relationship, favouring restraint over excess, atmospherics over explanations.” Allan Hunter, Screen International

Post-screening discussion with Dr. Randall F. White, clinical professor and division head of adult psychiatry at UBC.

Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, series director.