Whenever there are discussions of diversity in the media, there are always naysayers who argue even having these discussions doesn't matter. Diversity isn't bad, these people will say, but that it's "pointless" and you should "just focus on the story." Preman, the debut feature for Indonesian director Randolph Zaini, is an interesting case study and counter-argument to this line of thinking. Without its diversity, it would be a completely generic and forgettable gangster film. By adding issues of disability and sexuality into this formula, however, this potentially tired story is more interesting than it would have been otherwise.
The disability issues are more obvious from the start of the movie. The main character Sandi is a deaf gangster and single father trying to keep his son safe from his bosses. Dealing with both internalized and externalized ableism gives Sandi some clear personal conflict beyond the standard "good guy doing bad things" characterization. The film's most exciting fight sequence sees Sandi using his deafness as an asset, taking on around three dozen enemy gangsters and killing at least a quarter of them by overwhelming them with sound.
Less obvious from the get-go but even more interesting are the queer twists on the story. Early on, this takes the form of playing with expectations of machismo: a giant tattooed thug turns out to be a musical theater aficionado, a hairdresser slits a homophobe's throat. The biggest and most meaningful queer plot development constitutes a spoiler, but suffice to say, it makes the last 20 minutes of the movie more emotionally involving than the entire film up to that point. This could have been a far more interesting movie if they led with this reveal from the start.
The Seattle International Film Festival's description of Preman compares it to Gareth Evans' The Raid movies, but aside from being Indonesian crime films with Pencak silat martial arts scenes, they don't really have much in common. The Raid is all action all the time, whereas Preman is more of a drama with breathers between fights. The father-and-son story feels more like Road to Perdition than anything else. There are other derivative elements to the film as well, including yet another imitation of Goodfellas' night club long take and some very Will Graham-esque detective work.
Preman is a solidly made film, even with it being clear it was done on a budget. Some of the imagery in the action scenes and in the calmer, more naturalistic moments is striking, though sometimes the color correction is overdone and the narratively sound yet downright silly-looking fursuit dream sequences feel like a case of ambition outstripping means. Preman is a mixed bag, but it's notable just how much its diversity improves it.
Preman is streaming at the Seattle International Film Festival through April 18. Directed by Randolph Zaini, the film stars Khiva Iskak, Muzakki Ramdhan, Kiki Narendra, Salvita Decorte, Revaldo, Putri Ayudya, Gilbert Pattiruhu and Egi Fedly.