According to the tradition of the Minangkabau's...
each male child must leave their family and birthplace one day,
on the journey of searching for life experiences.
That soul searching will challenge and transform him into adulthood.
That travelling is known as "Merantau."
It's a learning curve against one's strength and spiritualism.
It'll only end when one's proven his knowledge of the worldly ways.
Nature becomes the tutor,
providing a shining guidance, illuminating right from wrong.
This is my son's story...
and his journey into the realms of adulthood.
This is the story of...
"Merantau"
- Assalamualaikum. - Walaikum salam.
Today is warmer than usual.
The weather is not going to please you 'cause it's your last day here,
and neither is your Mom. Now go and set the table.
Listen,
when Yayan came back from "Merantau," (Wandering)
we were discussing the trials and tribulations of life
which might have hurt his feelings.
But we do this out of love and our responsibilties as your elders.
We were at fault for judging him such and since then
Yayan has proven himself daily since his return.
It's unnecessary for him to torture himself further by travelling faraway
just to make himself a better man than he already is.
In truth...
... you don't need to, too.
Mom...
What Mom meant is
whatever other people said,
might not be the actual truth.
You must be thankful about your own level of achievement.
Come on home... my son,
whenever you feel you're ready.
I will do my utmost best, the best possible.
Allah's willing.
Ready, Tok Guru?
That's enough!
I think you're ready.
Come on.
Take this with you.
It belonged to your father.
Allah's willing, he will accompany you always.
I will be careful.
I will make Mom be proud of me.
I'm already proud of what you've achieved so far.
Take good care of yourself.
- Assalamualaikum. - Walaikum salam.
- Mind if I sit here? - Go ahead, please.
- My name's Eric. - I'm Yuda.
What're you doing going to Jakarta? Looking for a job?
I am wandering.
Wandering?
I am just like you before.
- Oh... yeah? - Yeah, long time ago.
What's your occupation in Jakarta?
I just work anywhere,
to wherever my feet take me.
What's your plan in Jakarta?
I hope to teach "silat."
Silat?
I'm sorry.
It was not my intention to be offensive.
You just remind me of a younger version of myself.
You practice silat too?
Yeah, I still remember it well.
What's your experience so far, wandering in Jakarta?
Listen...
Learn from your mistakes.
Remove all the fantasies from your mind.
It's not enough that you lived just by silat's skills alone.
Trust me...
I've taken the challenge before.
I hope that my advice to you will make a difference.
Tried to make a living by other means.
In reality,
it's not like what we learnt in school.
Nothing comes easy in this world.
It looks like we should depart on our own way here.
Seems like it.
Good luck in your undertaking.
Till we meet again.
Take care of yourself.
Jalan Wangi Sari 19
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Please be seated.
Thanks, uncle!
What are you having?
Sate Padang.
Sorry, we have only chicken and mutton satay.
No problem, the chicken then.
Okay... thanks.
Here's your drink.
Enjoy your meal.
Thanks, uncle!
Hei! You! Get out of here!
Those kids they come here and think they can take whatever they want.
Unbelievable!
I am new here. I am looking for a place to teach silat.
Maybe you know a place where I can teach?
Probably not, most of the Tok guru taught in their own houses.
You most likely can tutor from home.
It's just a coincidence that my place is being renovated, any suggestions?
I don't have a clue.
If you ask me regarding foods, I might be able to assist.
- Of course, thanks for the help. - Don't mention it.
- Bill please. - Rp6000.
Hey, what're you up to?
- I'll be back. - It's you again!
- My wallet! - Don't hurt me.
I'm not going to hurt you, give me the wallet.
What say you, we divide 50/50?
What?
That's my wallet and money, return it back to me.
Alright!
70/30?
Thanks!
Just be calm, it's all there. I haven't taken anything.
I still need to check it.
I'll take 40% of your salary and tips money.
That's crap. What I get on stage belongs to me and you know it.
You want to work at another place? Go ahead!
Your skinny body is not much of an attraction here anyway.
Damn you!
You know what, if you're willing, I can lower it to 35%.
Please Johni, it was not intentional.
You know I need this job.
No, you've really gone too far this time.
I beg you, Johni!
Let me go... sis!
Sis!
- I need this, I beg you. - Where's the money, now!
- Don't bully her. - Brother... don't!
What? Now what?
You want to apologize, is it?
I want to hear you say I'm sorry.
Where's the money?
Quickly.
If you continue to behave like today, I'll demand 100% from you.
Remember to be on time for work tomorrow.
Release her!
Why don't you just leave, friend.
You know who you're tangling with?
No, I don't. Now, give her back the money.
I think it's better you go back inside,
and forget all this.
How about it?
Thank you.
Johni, this has nothing to do with me...
I gave you work when no one wanted to hire you,
and this's how you show your gratitude?
Don't step foot in here ever again.
Let's see how long you can survive with that tips money of yours.
Johni wait, I can give you 40%!
Shit!
Great... that's just great, my hero!
Tell me, do you always mess up other people's lives?
What?
He was choking you and kicking your brother.
Yeah... and because of you I lost my job too.
I faced quite a lot of problems before you came into the picture.
You only made the situation worse.
I don't want to be here either.
Now that I've got back my wallet...
- I'm going off. - That's better.
Sis... no! He can help protect us.
He has done more than enough.
We need one more girl.
Get the car and wait for me at the lobby.
We need to find Astri.
I don't care how difficult it is, we have to find her.
Shit!
Ayi!
Astri here!
Ayi isn't home.
I heard her go out earlier.
Did she say where she was going?
She said that she's meeting up with someone.
Some men came to fetch her.
They were really rough with her,
but she says she's okay.
What's happening?
- Who fetched her? - It's me!
Get in.
- Assalamualaikum. - Walaikum salam, Mom.
Yuda... child.
Please keep quiet. It's Yuda and I can't really hear him.
- Mom... - Just a moment. - Asked him how are the girls in Jakarta?
Just keep quiet and play your games.
- Who's that Mom? - Your brother, as usual crapping away.
- How's everyone there, Mom? - All of us are fine.
But that's not important, how about you?
Have you found a job yet?
Yuda?
I'm doing fine, Mom.
I have started teaching silat to some children.
I'm glad to hear that.
I know that you'll definitely overcome all hurdles and reap the benefits.
Johni... you're useless!
Release me!
Struggle again and I'll slap you.
That's a good girl.
Hold her!
Someone hold this woman!
Let's just get her inside.
Who do you think you are?
Are you the boss now?
You need me to iron your clothing too?
How about polishing your shoes?
Hold her!
- Mom, I've got to go. I'll call you later. - Hold on...
If it isn't that hero again.
I was hoping to meet you again,
but so soon?
What's so special about him?
He has a handsome face, for sure...
but is he as beautiful as the prostitutes here?
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
I remember that you were quite good earlier on,
but I have extra help now.
1, 2, 3, 4.
I will remember that number when we next meet up.
Until we meet again...
... hero!
Adit!
Yuda!
What are we going to do now?
Don't worry. I know a place where we can stay for the night.
- How long have you been... - Taking care of him?
Three years.
What happened to your parents?
They left us.
Leave you all behind?
My parents thought if they had many children,
they will have many children who will take care of them when they're old.
But they seemed to forget,
prior to that they have many mouths to feed.
As time passed, the situation worsened.
And not all of us were fed.
And then one day,
before I awoke,
they left us.
They just left Adit and me behind.
They took along two sisters and a brother together.
Even now I still don't know how or why they didn't choose us.
I really don't know how they could do that to us.
But I work hard,
and I make sure that Adit doesn't go hungry.
There isn't a single day that we don't have a roof over our head,
and he always will.
He was fortunate to have a sister like you.
I am the lucky one.
He is the reason I carry on.
If not I could still be at the club, being sold like a piece of meat.
Yayan and me,
my brother...
have been competing against one another since we were small.
We always compete in whatever we do.
We usually are on opposing sides,
pretending to challenge each other.
Being the younger one, I seldom win.
Yayan will always extend the match as long possible.
He knew I would be disappointed and angry, losing my patience.
Yayan always knew what he was doing.
His timing was such that I exploded with anger just when Dad arrived home.
He caused me to get into a lot of trouble.
I believe now that he would seldom go against you.
As we grew older, I became stronger and a better opponent,
but he was also getting smarter.
That too was influenced by a lot of factors.
I don't know whether he realized it,
but he became someone that I looked up to.
I wish to be like him.
Why don't you just return home?
- It's not as simple as that. - What's so difficult?
You can go back to your home town and no one will look for you there.
No one knows exactly what you look like.
The same goes for you too. This is a big city.
Go to Sumatra and be a tomato picker?
Is it any better staying here and being naked?
I am a dancer, alright!
There are differences between being naked and a dancer.
If those men just like to watch me dance, it's okay.
And that's all they are getting.
I got paid and was never ashamed of it.
I'm sorry, I have the wrong impression.
I apologize!
This means we're getting along well.
It just meant I'm hungry.
I will leave you so that you can sleep.
What is it?
Good night!
- Jo... I'm going to get cigarettes. - Okay, don't be long.
It's impossible for you to enter without them noticing.
I worked hard for that money. I'm not leaving without it.
Furthermore, we don't have any other options. We need the money.
Where is the money? I will go and get it.
Trust me.
Okay! It is under the carpet, you won't miss it.
Just wait here.
Don't come out before I come back.
Be careful!
Hey! Hey...hey, over here!
There are two people here, quickly!
Get in there, faster.
Wait, it can only fit one person.
You might not fit in.
Don't worry about me. I'll find some place else to hide.
No, don't go! Don't leave me here.
Adit trust me! I'll never leave you behind.
I promise I'll come back for you.
Now sit there quietly, don't make any noise.
Don't make a sound.
He is up here!
Adit, where's Astri? Where is your sister?
They took her away.
She asked me to sit here quietly.
I didn't do anything to save her.
Adit, hold on to this.
Please don't leave me again.
Listen, I can't take you with me.
It's too dangerous.
Now, you just wait here.
I will bring Astri back.
I swear!
Be strong for one last time.
Astri?!
You know I can't tell you where she is.
I'm not giving you a choice. Tell me, where's Astri now?
He lived in that apartment, room 1426...
He is here!
So you're the one they're searching for.
You don't have to do this.
You know I was forced to.
I'm sorry!
Do it Yuda, you don't have a choice.
Come on, just kill me!
I'll not become like you.
Help!
It's you again.
Come on, let's go home.
Watch out!
Hold on, I'll get help.
There's not enough time.
No, don't talk like that.
Help me...
... help me to send this home.
We'll go home together, I promise.
Please don't give up hope.
Tell my family what happened.
Let them know I did my best.
Tell them...
I'm sorry.
Just hold on.
No, you tell them yourself.
Live on.
There is still good out there.
They'll love you.
My family will...
Go!
Astri, go now...