Conversation

Pride in Indonesia is longer than a coming-out story

Reza Mardian

Three queer Indonesians, three different relationships with the closet and one thing they all share: a conversation that never ends.

Culture and Entertainment

Pride in the shadows: Five films about being queer in Asia

Reza Mardian

Beyond rainbows and quiet celebrations, five films bring to light intimate stories of how queer Asians navigate love, family, shame, and belonging in their own cultural contexts.

Arts

A stroll around Art Jakarta Gardens 2026

Josa Lukman

In its fifth edition, this year’s Art Jakarta Gardens convened more than 26 galleries to showcase a glimpse of the region’s burgeoning contemporary arts scene.

Culture and Entertainment

The rainmaker’s bet on an Iranian film about lost shoes

Reza Mardian

Why Manoj Punjabi’s remake of the Iranian classic Children of Heaven may become one of the boldest moves he’s ever taken.

Arts

60 paintings building to one question: Why do we stay?

Sheena Suparman

In a new exhibit in Singapore, Indonesian artist Clasutta uses animals, oil on canvas and a touch of humor to map the arc of a relationship. 

Away We Go

Where Kuala Lumpur’s finance district learns to slow down

Yudi Wanandi

Kimpton’s Malaysian debut promised contrasts of modernity and tradition. It actually delivered.

Culture and Entertainment

‘Para Perasuk’ proves that Indonesian stories can travel

Reza Mardian

With invented rituals, emotional stakes and theatrical performances from Anggun and Maudy Ayunda, Wregas Bhanuteja’s latest film turned a culturally specific story into global resonance.

Arts

Why this unusual exhibit on waste really wasn’t about waste

Aqraa Sagir

At Erasmus Huis, a cross-cultural exhibition asks Indonesians to rethink their relationship with waste, starting at home.

Conversation

The more Indonesian her stories are, the further they travel

Siti Syafania Kose

Intan Paramaditha's novels raise questions that transcend nationalities, despite writing unapologetically Indonesian stories.

Culture and Entertainment

Have we entered an era of happy love songs again?

Felix Martua

After years of craving catharsis through mournful ballads, Indonesian listeners appear to have moved on with an emotional reset.

Culture and Entertainment

The final chapter of ‘Danur’, and the actress who refused to let it go

Reza Mardian

Prilly Latuconsina spent a decade protecting a role most actresses would have left behind. 'Danur: The Last Chapter' is her reward and her goodbye.

Arts

Paper chaser: How Rudy Atjeh makes art out of paperwork

Josa Lukman

The Aceh-born, Yogyakarta-based artist talks us through his latest work at Art Jakarta Papers, and why cutting paper is a surprisingly reflective act.

Culture and Entertainment

Can the mind behind ‘Jumbo’ capture our imaginations again with ‘Na Willa’?

Reza Mardian

Ryan Adriandhy made the biggest film of last year. This year, he’s following it with a 5-year-old girl and a radio.

Conversation

Bakti Barito nurtures future guardians via environmental education

Creative Desk

A butterfly flaps its wings, and a storm forms half a world away: Called the butterfly effect, this theory highlights that sometimes the smallest change can trigger the biggest events.

Conversation

When the lights go out: What tiny fireflies teach us about healing the Earth

Handewi Pramesti

In a small Bali village, one man is trying to bring back the fireflies. His story reminds us that healing the Earth often begins with the smallest of lights.