Saturday, August 2, 2025

From Bullied Boy to Four-Star General: A Night at the "Believe" Premiere Icon Mall, Sanur, Bali

 

Last night was a truly unforgettable experience. My family and I had the privilege of attending the Bali premiere of the new Indonesian film, "Believe", at the stunning new Icon mall in Sanur.

We were there as guests of our dear friend, Maudy Koesnaedi, one of the movie's leading stars. 

It was a thrill to see her, her Husband Erik Meijer and son , and a multitude of local and Jakarta celebrities who came out to support the film.

A Powerful True Story of Resilience

"Believe" is so much more than a movie; it's a powerful and deeply personal story based on the true-life journey of General TNI Agus Subiyanto.

The film, an adaptation of his biography, "Believe - Faith, Dream and Courage," chronicles how a young man, once bullied and facing immense hardship, rose to become a four-star general.


 The narrative is a gripping blend of action and emotional drama, showing how personal tragedy and loss can be the catalyst for finding one's purpose and strength. 

Maudy Koesnaedi delivers a stellar performance as the young man's mother in law, a role she brings to life with incredible depth and nuance.


A Bright Future for Indonesian Cinema

From a critic's standpoint, my family and I were thoroughly impressed.

 

We gave it a resounding "two thumbs up!" The cinematography was stunning, the acting was superb, and the story was both inspiring and deeply moving.

We all agreed that this film will be a huge success and a launchpad for many more high-quality Indonesian productions, a direction the government has been actively encouraging.

Bali Soon to Film Biggest Film Ever:

This feeling of optimism is not just a personal one. A few evenings before at a Skal Bali Sunset Dinner I  had a fascinating conversation with a major studio owner in Bali who revealed plans to film the largest movie ever produced in Indonesia.

This ambitious project aims to rival the scale of Hollywood blockbusters, and with the fourth-largest population in the world and a growing global presence on streaming platforms, the future of Indonesian filmmaking looks incredibly bright.

As I reflected on the film’s theme of believing in your dreams, I was reminded of a premiere I attended 11 years ago for a movie I helped produce “ Made in Bali “ .


 It was at that event that I met my beautiful wife, Azizah, a licensed Notaris in Bali.

 We reconnected a year later, married shortly after, and have been happily married for the past decade—proving that “what the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve”.

Amara, Producer Mike Poholry , Lead Actor Mike Lewis , Azizah, Lawrence, David 

"Believe" is a shining example of the talent, passion, and storytelling that Indonesia has to offer, and we can't wait to see what comes next for this vibrant film industry.


The future of Indonesian cinema is shining bright! With amazing productions like "Believe," the world is taking notice.

We left the theater feeling inspired and hopeful for what’s to come. Two thumbs up!


👍👍 #BelieveMovie #FilmIndonesia #BaliPremiere #IndonesianCinema #Inspiration #TrueStory #MaudyKoesnaedi #IconMallBali #Sanur #MovieNight

 

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