5 Movies that Feature Iconic Places in Indonesia

A movie and astonishing places make two. Pairing both of them is like a match made in heaven. No one will blame you for dropping your jaw while seeing an otherwise commonplace, depicted in an oh-so wonderfully cinematic image in a movie. To commemorate the Indonesia National Film Day, March 30, 2022, we present you with five iconic places in Indonesian films in the last 15 years.

Five iconic places in Indonesian films in the last 15 years
 

1. Mt. Semeru, East Java in 5 cm (2012)

Mt. Semeru is a mountain with the highest peak on the island of Java, Mahameru Peak, standing tall at 3.676 meters above sea level. It had been the go-to mountain for seasoned and well-travelled mountain goers for quite a while until the movie 5 cm came out ten years ago. 5 cm is a star-studded movie about friendship, love, and journey based on a novel with the same name written by Donny Dhirgantoro in 2005. It's primarily set in Mt. Semeru. 

Their long-standing relationship brought them to Mt. Semeru, where they then contemplated and shared about love, friendship, dreams, and intention. While many movies merely use stunning places as a background, not 5 cm. Every spot of the mountain means something, fused into the story spotlessly. Thus, bringing out the emotion of every character as well as the audience and bringing the place to life. The movie was one reason why many flocked to Mt. Semeru to see the sites from the film, like Ranu Kumbolo Lake, Tanjakan Cinta, and Mahameru Peak, regardless of their experience level.

2. Yogyakarta and Magelang in Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2 (2016)

This Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (2002) sequel continues the love story between Rangga and Cinta 14 years later. Despite the romance theme, this movie is spiced up with a journey that would take audiences to unique places in New York and mainly in Yogyakarta. In this movie, the then-couple reunites to embark on a journey to the most coveted culinary spots and destinations around Yogyakarta in an attempt to recapture their love. Places like Chicken Church in Rhema Hill, Ratu Boko Palace, Kotagede Royal Cemetery, Sate Klatak Pak Bari, Punthuk Setumbu, Parangtritis Beach, Prawirotaman neighborhood, and many others.

3. Belitung in Laskar Pelangi (2008)

Laskar Pelangi, aka The Rainbow Troops, is a movie released in 2008 based on the novel of the same name written by Andrea Hirata. This movie is ranked four in the most-watched Indonesian movie of all time. This movie is about the life of ten kids from poverty-stricken families in Belitung Island. With all of their limitations day by day, they still try to live their life as kids growing up, dreaming about the future, going to school, and playing around among them. 

As the movie is based on a true story, the places we see in Laskar Pelangi isn't just a beautiful background. They have a deep connection to the story. Among the places you will see in the movie is Pantai Tanjung Tinggi; Pulau Lengkuas; Laskar Pelangi School, Belitung Timur, and Kaolin Lake. Also, don't miss out on Museum Kata Andrea Hirata.  

4. Bali in Eat, Pray, Love (2010)

Eat, Pray, Love is a Hollywood movie starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem based on a memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert. Eat, Pray, Love tells about a successful writer's life who had met a dead end before she decided to travel the world. On the journey, she intends to eat and enjoy life in Italy, seek spirituality to pray in India, and seek the balance between the two to find love in Bali, Indonesia. In Bali, the places mainly featured are the Ubud area, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, and Padang-Padang Beach.

5. Surabaya, Pamekasan, Pontianak, and Singkawang in Aruna dan Lidahnya (2018)

Aruna dan Lidahnya or Aruna and Her Palate is a movie about friendship and romance with thematic references to local culinary wealth as the cherry on top starring Dian Sastrowardoyo, Nicholas Saputra, Hannah Al Rashid, Oka Antara, and Ayu Azhari. This movie tells about the journey of Aruna (Dian Sastrowardoyo) and her friends. Aruna is an epidemiologist and a foodie assigned to investigate avian flu outbreaks throughout Indonesia. On that trip, she is joined by two friends and her ex-supervisor, whom she fell in love with along the journey. Put the outbreak in the background and bring forward the places and food they encounter throughout the movie. 

In Surabaya, they visited and had their meal at Squid Rice at Atom Market, Rawon at Depot Anda, Kacang Kuah and Tahwa Cak Rudi, Soto Ayam Lamongan Cak Har, Campor Lorjuk Bu Iis in Pamekasan. Then in Pontianak, West Kalimantan to eat Pengkang at Pondok Pengkang; and Crab Noodles at Bakmi Kepiting Achai, and in Singkawang, Choi Pan at Tjhia Family House; and coffee and snack at Toko Kopi Nikmat.

A movie is one good way to promote places in a country. It can create an incredible cinematic experience, attracting the audience to want to pay a visit to those iconic places. While rhapsodizing upon to visit those places, why not plan a trip one right now? Indonesia is vast, and you may need to take it step-by-step and not visit in one go. Just visit the most attainable ones first and take it up a notch later.

Given the many places to visit in one destination, make it hassle-free. Rent a car from the best provider you can find, like TRAC. With drivers equipped with defensive driving/riding certification, TRAC offers different vehicles for you to rent. Big or small, solo or in a group, get the most size-appropriate one from small sedans to buses.

To make a reservation, download and install the TRACtoGO application. Get a cashback or a free ride on our bus unit for bus reservations via the app.  

During this Covid-19 pandemic, TRAC wants to make you feel safe while using our service. Therefore, TRAC implements the SMART PROTOCOL, which focuses on our customer's safety and well-being. SMART PROTOCOL encompasses several things, such as:

1. All units are disinfected both before and after serving customers
2. All units-on-duty are provided with hand sanitizers for passengers
3. All units-on-duty implement social distancing protocol between passengers
4. All units-on-duty are equipped with fiberglass barriers between the driver and passengers
5. Every driver-on-duty will undergo a medical check-up beforehand
6. Every driver-on-duty are required to wear a mask and gloves
7. Our drivers are not allowed to get in physical contact whatsoever with the passengers

Don't miss out on the Ramadan and Lebaran promo that you can benefit from, and make sure you reserve weeks before the departure to make sure our units are still widely available.

Heading to a certain destination? Don't worry. TRAC is available in many cities throughout Indonesia. Give your destination's respective TRAC office a visit or a call and get a special promo.