Aruna & Lidahnya serves a feast for the senses
- 3shotcine
- Oct 26, 2024
- 3 min read
by Syiva Zahra Arhanni, resident writer at 3shotcine
“Hidup itu kayak makanan. Dalam satu piring ini nih, lo bisa ngerasain yang sepait-paitnya atau seasin-asinnya, kalau lo makan sendiri-sendiri. Nah, kalau lo ambil sedikit-sedikit dan dijadikan satu suapan, baru dia mengungkapkan jati diri yang sebenarnya.” - Bono.
“Life is like a dish. If you taste each element on the plate separately, you’ll feel the extreme bitterness or saltiness. But if you combine a little bit of everything in one bite, that’s when the real flavor comes through.” - Bono.
In Aruna & Lidahnya, food isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the beating heart that connects people, stirs memories, and unearths emotions that words often leave unsaid. The film masterfully serves up a colorful blend of flavor, friendship, and personal discovery that goes far beyond its surface story of culinary adventures. Aruna & Lidahnya will literally leave you hungry for a meal, or better, a deep desire to travel or to visit your hometown soon after.
At the heart of the movie is Aruna, played by the country’s pop icon Dian Sastrowardoyo. She acts as an epidemiologist sent on a mission to investigate a suspected avian flu outbreak across several Indonesian cities. But Aruna’s journey is more than just about her job - behind her calm, professional demeanor lies a deep love for food. To add further, Aruna is a huge observant, proven through the scenes where she does a monologue with herself, and to the viewers.
Who would have guessed that Dian Sastrowardoyo would be paired with Nicholas Saputra or his character Bono in a movie? After their iconic roles in the classic Indonesian romance Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? (What’s Up With Cinta? (2002)), the beloved duo return to the screen as culinary partners in Aruna & Lidahnya. In this movie, Nicholas Saputra acts as a talented chef who’s always on the lookout for new menu inspiration from local street food.
The addition of Nadezhda (Hannah Al Rashid), a sharp-tongued food writer with a knack for spotting culinary gems, completes the Aruna-Bono-Nadhezda trio. Things take a surprising turn when Farish (Oka Antara), Aruna’s former colleague, and perhaps an unresolved romantic chapter, unexpectedly joins the trip.
As the group travels from city to city, hopping from one humble roadside stall to another, the film strikes a delicate balance between what’s seen and what’s felt. With every slurp of Surabaya’s comforting Rawon soup or each bite of Pontianak’s delicate Choi Pan, the characters slowly unravel, revealing hidden parts of themselves. Aruna, who starts off composed and cautious, finds herself loosening up, reconnecting with her love for food, and the memories each dish carries. You see it in her expressions—the small nostalgic smiles, or the silent moments when she savors not just the taste, but the emotions each meal brings up.
Yet Aruna & Lidahnya isn’t just about food nor romance. It’s about identity—how food shapes who we are, how it becomes intertwined with our memories, and how something as simple as a dish of fried rice can bring back the comfort of home. As the characters walk through the bustling streets of Surabaya, the peaceful countryside of Pamekasan, the lively markets of Pontianak, and the hidden culinary corners of Singkawang, the movie transforms into a love letter to Indonesia’s rich, diverse culinary heritage. Each city, each food stall, and each dish reflects the soul of the country—complex, layered, and deeply intertwined with the people who prepare it.
By the end of their journey, it’s clear: Aruna & Lidahnya is much more than just a movie about food. It’s about finding pieces of yourself in unexpected places, and tasting emotions you thought you’d long forgotten. The story lingers like a well-prepared dish, leaving you craving more, not just for the food, but for the connections and stories behind every bite.
A review by Syiva Zahra Arhanni, resident writer at 3shotcine.
Syiva is an Indonesian-based writer that loves to write everything related to culture. In her free time, you can find her going into slow coffee bars (she can’t go a day without it) and doing photography.
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