After making waves across more than 30 international film festivals, Crocodile Tears, the feature debut by Tumpal Tampubolon and produced by Mandy Marahimin, is officially set to hit Indonesian cinemas starting May 7, 2026. The film has already earned critical acclaim and multiple awards on the global stage before its long-awaited domestic release.
A Global Festival Journey and Prestigious Awards
Crocodile Tears first premiered internationally at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, followed by its Asian debut at the Busan International Film Festival. Since then, the film has continued its remarkable run across major global festivals, including:
- BFI London Film Festival
- Adelaide Film Festival
- Torino Film Festival
- Red Sea International Film Festival
The film’s strong reception is reflected in its impressive list of nominations and wins, such as:
- Nominee, Ingmar Bergman Competition at Göteborg Film Festival
- Asian Feature Film in Competition at Singapore International Film Festival
- Winner of Direction Award and Nongshim Award at Jakarta Film Week
- Best Screenplay (Panorama Section) at Asian Film Festival Barcelona
Tumpal Tampubolon’s Journey to His First Feature Film
Crocodile Tears marks a major milestone for Tumpal Tampubolon, whose filmmaking journey began in 2005 when his short script The Last Believer won a development competition at the Jakarta International Film Festival.
Over the years, Tumpal has built a strong reputation through his short films, which have been showcased at both national and international festivals. He also participated in renowned filmmaker development programs such as:
- Asian Young Filmmakers Forum in Jeonju
- Berlinale Talent Campus in Berlin
- Asian Film Academy in Busan
In 2021, his short film Laut Memanggilku gained major recognition by winning the Sonje Award for Best Short Film at the Busan International Film Festival and was later awarded Best Short Film at the Festival Film Indonesia.
Storyline: A Disturbing Family Bond
Crocodile Tears tells the story of Johan (Yusuf Mahardika) and his mother, Mama (Marissa Anita), who live in a decaying crocodile park. The place is more than just their home—it is a confined world that has shaped Johan’s entire life.
Raised under his mother’s intense and unconventional care, Johan begins to question his existence and longs to explore life beyond the park. His encounter with Arumi (Zulfa Maharani) sparks a desire for freedom, but also disrupts the fragile balance between him and his mother.
As Mama disapproves of the relationship, her behavior grows increasingly unsettling, turning their bond into something deeply disturbing and psychologically intense.
Inspired by a Haunting Real-Life Image
The story of Crocodile Tears is rooted in a personal experience from Tumpal Tampubolon. He revealed that the idea came from watching a documentary showing a mother crocodile protecting her offspring inside her jaws.
“There is something both terrifying and tender in that image,” Tumpal explained. “Through this film, I wanted to question the meaning of devotion and love within a family—how something born out of love can become a burden, and why relationships meant to protect can feel suffocating.”
A Unique Blend of Magical Realism and Psychological Horror
Starring Marissa Anita, Yusuf Mahardika, and Zulfa Maharani, Crocodile Tears offers a bold and extreme portrayal of family dynamics. The film explores how maternal love can evolve into obsession, delivering a powerful mix of:
- Psychological horror
- Emotional family drama
- Magical realism
- Visually striking cinematography
Production and Release Details
The film is produced by Talamedia in collaboration with Acrobates Films, Giraffe Pictures, Poetik Films, and 2Pilots Filmproduction.
It is also supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia and E-Motion Entertainment.
🎬 Don’t miss Crocodile Tears in Indonesian cinemas starting May 7, 2026.
