Jplus 2015 12 07 lores

Vol. 2 No. 34 I July 12-18, 2015

silent mode

a gadget-free idul fitri

road trip

our 'mudik' style guide

ismail basbeth

Now on the big screen

fame & the 'hijab'

zaskia adya mecca on how the headdress saved her

Noted in passing

Check List

at the movies We’re pleased to have Zaskia Adya Mecca for this week’s cover – and we’re just as pleased to present Sondang Grace Sirait’s article about the talented actress, designer and entrepreneur.

Speaking thoughtfully about how she learned to love the hijab, Zaskia is frank and passionate when talking about how the headdress helped her to fame.

And amid several mudik-themes articles this week are two stories about films to be released for Lebaran.

The first is a "Table of Friends" Q+A with the stars of Comic 8: Casino Kings Part 1, the sequel to last year’s slickly made comicheist film Comic 8.

Boasting a huge ensemble cast, the original did boffo box office, as Variety would say. It was also surprisingly funny – even if I only got half the jokes. There are high hopes for the sequel.

The second Lebaran movie, Mencari Hilal (Crescent Moon) is produced by Hanung Bramantyo, one of the Reform era’s most important filmmakers. He’s also as Zaskia’s husband.

While Hanung tapped indie director Ismail Basbeth to direct, make no mistake: Mencari Hilal is not an art-house pic. It’s a smart, sensitive Muslim-themed family drama.

The premieres of the movies underscore how desperately well-

made Indonesian films need our special attention.

Local flicks get about one week – two weeks, if they’re very lucky – to find an audience before a theater starts screening Hollywood blockbusters instead. It’s not a question of quality. It is just business.

For proof, we could ask Zaskia about the fate of her last film, the charming romantic comedy Hijab, which left screens all too quickly.

If we don’t get to the theater in time, the hard work of the filmmakers will vanish unseen – and it will be harder for the next producer to green light a script that doesn’t involve a pocong or kuntilanak.

Please make it to the cinema over Lebaran. Buy a ticket and enjoy the work of some talented local actors, actress and filmmakers. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

We will not publish next week due to the holiday, so, on behalf of the JPlus team, let me say mohon maaf lahir dan batin and extend our best wishes to everyone for Idul Fitri.

Chris jplus@thejakartapost.com

LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE ISN’T A BAD IDEA WORDS Tessa Wijaya

JPlus July 12, 2015

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TURKISH DELIGHT

Editor Christian Razukas Art Director Budhi Hartono

Stopping the clock

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NO-GADGET MUDIK

JPlus Team

mark my words

As fasting month comes to an end – and the roads start to fill earlier and restaurants get packed by 5:30 p.m. in anticipation of breaking the fast – I feel the city building up to the excitement of Idul Fitri.

This all culminates rather anticlimactically for Jakartans, as when Eid arrives, the streets turn empty and half the city shuts down. The few things to look forward to are a lack of traffic jams and the appearance of clear blue skies due to lack of pollution from said traffic jams.

But during the fasting month, a mood of celebration lingers in the late afternoon.

Every day, I feel the energy building, as people anticipate that first moment when the sun touches the tip of the horizon and we reach that moment when thirsts can finally be quenched and rumbling stomachs satisfied.

I’m not Muslim and therefore I do not celebrate Idul Fitri, but as someone born in a predominantly Muslim country and having many friends who do celebrate, I get excited about kolak (sweet fast-breaking dishes), kurma (dates) and ketupat (wrapped rice cakes) all the same.

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I recall with fondness my childhood, seeing fingers in action weaving leaves to make ketupat wrappers. I anticipate kolak with as much glee as a kid looks forward to a banana split sundae. And the moment when everyone gets up from their desks and gathers to break the fast at work is one of the most fun parts of the day throughout Ramadhan, filled with jokes and camaraderie and a sense of accomplishment for those who have made it through the day.

I’m sure millions of employers are currently grumbling at decreases in productivity, as people leave work early to break their fasts with families and friends and things move at a slower pace.

But living life in the slow lane isn’t always a bad thing.

Ramadhan is a month where we focus on things such as family and charity - and I think it is healthy for a society to once in a while soften its touch on the pedal and slow the wheels a little to look around and do other things that matter.

It is so wonderful that for the whole month people make that extra effort to be together with their loved ones. When friends and their families open their doors

Marketing & Advertising Sales & Marketing Director Ady P. Pamungkas

ady.pamungkas@thejakartapost.com

Marketing Executive Dewi Damayani

dewi.damayani@thejakartapost.com

@JPlusSunday JPlusSunday

and invite me to their gatherings, I feel like I can experience a bit of what Ramadhan is about, too.

This Eid, I will be in Jakarta enjoying the fresh air, as the city is left to fend for itself without maids and drivers, who will pack their bags and make the gruelling journey home to be with their families for Idul Fitri.

Crammed into busses, or perched on motorbikes for days, they will do what it takes to get back home.

I find this so touching, because this is the only time many will get to see their families, which makes Eid even more meaningful. Often, they have been separated from their children for a whole year. I can only imagine the excitement and emotions felt by both parents and children to see each other again after being away from each other for so long.

This is really the image I have of Eid: Of homecomings, of families gathering together and being grateful for having one another – as well as of feasts and celebrations to a start a new and better year.

So before the firecrackers start, I wish everyone a happy Eid, mohon maaf lahir dan batin.

SundayJplus jakplus.com

ON THE COVER Zaskia Adya Mecca Photos Meutia Ananda MUA Dhidy by MAZAYA Kosmetik (081293991804) Stylist Ananda Adityasanti Wardrobe Meccanism by Zaskia Mecca Location Kemang Icon by Alila, Jakarta

table of FRIENDS

Of meals and

I

Pandji Pragiwaksono @pandji

Pio Kharismayongha

dul Fitri is by far the most anticipated time of the year in Indonesia, when Muslims throughout the archipelago celebrate the end of the fasting month in prayer and by visiting family members. It’s also time for the annual holiday exodus, when millions leave Jakarta to mudik, or head back, to their hometowns.

Part of the tradition for Idul Fitri, which also goes by the name of Lebaran in Indonesia, are special movie releases for the holiday. One film slated to be released for Lebaran is a sequel to Comic 8, last year’s surprise blockbuster ensemble comedy. We caught up with some of the stars of the new movie, titled Comic 8: Casino Kings Part 1, to ask the comedians about how they plan to observe Idul Fitri this year – and what their plans are for the holiday exodus. +Dian Arthen

I’m not going to partake in the mudik this year because my relatives are already here in Jakarta. This year I’ll be visiting my mom's and mother in law’s homes. Since my mother is now the oldest, her older siblings have passed away, so most of the relatives will be at my mom’s house.

[My] favorite Lebaran food is…every dish at my mom’s home! Nobody can top my mom’s cooking - especially her ketupat (rice cakes). While on my wife’s side, she comes from Padang. There’s so many different kind of Padang-style dishes, such as gulai itik (curried duck), served at her relatives’ house. If I were to plan a mudik trip, I’d definitely take my wife and kids to my parents’ hometowns in Pagar Alam, South Sumatra and Karanganyar, Kebumen. I’d also bring along presenter Steny Agustaf because he can endure the long drive from Jakarta – and he’s also a funny person, so he will keep us entertained.

Plan for this year is to have a get-together with the family, handing out THR [holiday bonuses] to relatives and having them watch Comic 8: Casino Kings Part 1. Mom’s lontong kari ayam [curry rice served with rice cakes] is always my go-to Lebaran food, because I don’t get to taste it every day. It’d be great if I could go on mudik with my friends, taking a ship and living on board for two or three days until we arrive at Medan—my parents’ hometown. It’s a long trip but I’m sure it would be fun. My most “memorable” mudik experience so far was when I secretly flew back home to Medan. It turned out my parents were in Jakarta at that time and we ended up not meeting each other.

Babe Cabita @babecabiita

The best part about Lebaran is the warmth of being able to be among your extended Hannah family. A lot of my wife’s family celebrates Al Rashid Lebaran - and I just can’t get enough of their @hannahalrashid lontong sayur! Since I was a kid, Lebaran has always meant having a trip with the family. So for this year, my wife and I along with our two kids are heading to Gili Trawangan, Lombok. Our Ernest most memorable [non-Eid] holiday experience Prakasa was in March. The four of us, with two other @ernestprakasa families, went to Japan for 11 days. It was such a rollercoaster! We were traveling from Tokyo to Fuji to Tokyo and then Osaka – and we were carrying huge suitcases, baby I wish I could go to London, since strollers, 5 toddlers plus my 4-month-old newborn – getting in and out of taxis, most of my family members live there, buses and trains. It was really, really crazy. I’d take Ellen Degeneres on a road trip because but I’ll be spending my Lebaran in she’s my favorite comedian. I want to know what’s inside her head.

Jakarta, alone at my kos (boarding house), performing Eid prayers. Kare kambing (curried goat) is my favorite I sometimes go on a mudik by myself - or food whenever I celebrate Idul Fitri would with my girlfriend, if I had one! My in my kampung in South Sulawesi. favorite mudik destination is Samarinda, I’d definitely want to go mudik with South Kalimantan. I was born there and mom and my boyfriend. He’s not an I just love how pollution-free the city is.

Indonesian and has never experienced Kemal It makes me feel comfortable. If I could Lebaran festivities before, so it’d be Palevi go mudik with anyone in this world, I’d interesting to show him how the day @Kemalpalevi ask actress Chelsea Islan to come with is celebrated in Indonesia. [My] most me. She’s smart and beautiful. I’m a huge memorable experience is the first fan of her. As for this year, I don't have any time I celebrated Lebaran in my dad’s specific plans for Idul Fitri. My celebration will kampung. I joined in the collective be the same as in previous years. The food that prayers along with thousands of other I always look for at this time of the year is soto people at Pinrang’s great mosque. Back banjar [chicken soup from Banjarmasin, South in England, the Idul Fitri prayers were Kalimantan]. It’s the best soto in Indonesia and I only between the community, so it was love the overall saltiness of it. quite unforgettable.

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JPlus July 12, 2015

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talk of the TOWN

PEVITA ATTENDS TORY BURCH LAUNCH Paris, France Pevita Pearce was one of the many illustrious celebrities spotted at the recent launch of Tory Burch's new 4,200 square-foot flagship store in Paris.

The actress, seen wearing a Tory Burch Pre-Fall 2015 Stretch Jacquard Fit-and-Flare Dress, was among the many guests at this in-store cocktail party celebrating the brand's expansion into France. Also making appearances were Jessica Alba, Melanie Laurent and Dianna Agron.

The in-store party was followed by a celebration in the garden of The Hotel de Sully in the Marais, a lavish gathering that included a performance by Lauryn Hill.

“CONNECTED E-CONOMY” TO INCUBATE STARTUPS Binus University JWC Campus, South Jakarta Under the theme of “Connected e-Conomy”, the IDByte conference is slated to return in September with plans to connect startup businesses and angel investors by offering seminars, workshops and discussions with well-known international industry figures.

Bubu.com CEO Shinta "Bubu" Dhanuwardoyo says she wants IDByte to pave the road for Indonesians to become key players in the digital industry.

Also present were Creative Economy Agency head Triawan Munaf and Mayor Ridwan Kamil, who said he’s anxious to see digital infrastructure develop in Indonesia to boost his “Smart Cities” concept in Bandung.

IDByte 2015 runs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, and will be closed by the Bubu Awards v09, which acknowledge Indonesia’s best digital talents.

CITI OPENS NEW ‘SMART BRANCH’ Jl. Abdul Muis, Central Jakarta Citi Indonesia recently celebrated the launch of its inaugural Citi Smart Branch, a stateof-the-art service center designed to give customers a personalized, world-class banking experience.

The ceremony, which included the presence of Citi Indonesia CEO Batara Sianturi, was held on July 7 at the Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line (APOL) Building in Central Jakarta, where the new branch is located.

It comes equipped with the latest in banking technology, such as an interactive “Sales and Marketing Wall”, which provides comprehensive information on products and services; a “Smart Workbench”, to facilitate banking transactions; and places to conduct video conferences with Citi staff.

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JPlus July 12, 2015

IKJ CELEBRATES 45TH B’DAY WITH ART SHOW Ismail Marzuki Park, Central Jakarta The Jakarta Art Institute (IJK) recently celebrated its 45th anniversary with a spectacular two-day arts and culture festival at Ismail Marzuki Park in Central Jakarta.

The celebration showed off the work of artists from IKJ’s performance, fine arts and film and television departments, and featured bazaars, talk shows, contests and events that were open to the public.

Some of the highlights of the birthday bash included a workshop on comic books made

by IKJ students, a fashion competition on Indonesian style as well as a screening of Kantata Takwa, perhaps the nation’s greatest concert film, which was directed by IKJ alumni Eros Djarot and the late Gotot Prakosa.

Parentingcorner

Bye Bye,

Gadgets

SOME TIPS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS SCREEN FREE OVER IDUL FITRi

WORDS Deisha Tamar Photos COUrtesy sekolah kembang and MANIK MAYA

B

ayu Amus is a father of two. His oldest is a six-year-old boy who just entered elementary school, while his youngest is only two months.

Yet the popular Bali-based food blogger says that his eldest is already inseparable from technology.

“He can’t take his eyes off the gadgets if we don’t keep an eye on him at home. At the moment, he has a tablet – although he occasionally borrows mine or my wife’s mobile phone,” Bayu says.

The complaint is a common one these days – and given that the holiday exodus (mudik) is just around the corner, here are some tips on how to separate your kids from their screens when you’re gathering with the family for Idul Fitri.

Board games Kummara, the first game design and consulting company in Indonesia, was established in 2011. The Bandung-based company focuses on board games as well as digital games, and recently convened the Board Game Challenge Indonesia contest.

Andre Dubari, the marketing director of Kummara, said that board games help players to engage with each other – something great for young children and even entire families during the mudik.

“A decade ago, ‘board game’ as a term wasn’t recognized by most Indonesians. We

played chess, mancala (congklak), Monopoly, or halma, and that was how we were introduced to board games. I believe now that the community has grown ever since,” he adds.

Although there are also benefits to digital games, Andre says that using any gadget is likely to decrease interpersonal interaction, which is why it’s best to bring out the board games.

He suggests that parents take a look at Mashup Monster, a puzzle card game, and Bhinneka, a card game about Indonesian diversity, for children aged between 5 and 8.

Meanwhile, he says that kids older than 8 might enjoy Mat Goceng, a card game set in Batavia 1922.

These next activities are inspired by the Summer Club program at Club Kembang in Kemang, South Jakarta.

Adinda Simanjuntak – or Dinda, the founder of the club – says that each activity the school offers has been carefully curated to challenge and respect children’s intellectual and creativity.

However, Dinda says that it’s important it is for parents to spend time with their children to find out what they are interested in.

“Start with what your child likes, really listen to them and then find a good challenge in the real world for them to engage in."

Creative writing The creative writing program at the Summer Club is hosted by local arts impressario Keke Tumbuan and aims to sharpen children’s skill in writing and responding to the things around them, such as music, people, events or films.

She suggests that parents read aloud to their kids no matter how old they are, and have their kids write a script or stage a play for their friends and families.

For mudik, Keke also says that giving a journal to your children will be interesting and valuable – and a great way to keep them off their gadgets.

Making comics This activity is great for young kids with a talent or interest in drawing.

Even if they’re not going to be the next R.A. Kosasih, you can still encourage them to make a fun comic while traveling.

If you have more than one child, a great

way to build teamwork is by having them create a story together and then putting it on paper to be given to your family, especially grandparents.

Making recycled crafts This activity combines two programs available at the Summer Club, making recycled crafts and producing home decorations. There’s bound to be something you can recycle lying around while on your mudik travels, so why not have the little ones fold those old receipts into origami? Or you could also turn that old milk carton into a fun frame to display your family travel picture in.

Song writing If your little ones have the gift of music, you should support them to explore it better.

Help them compose their own songs and encourage them to perform them with the family later on – which is also as a great way to boost their confidence, Dinda says.

Getting your children off their gadgets might not be an easy task, although technology is a convenient strategy.

But as Dinda puts it, children won’t be using gadgets as much if they are put to challenging activities. “Children learn with movement, touch – all the senses – and none of that is genuinely available in the digital world....When we immerse ourselves in a virtual world, I believe that we lose a little bit of our humanity. Gadgets provide such convenience but they also take away the processes that make us human.

“Effort is human, and sometimes gadgets make things too easy for us.”

Visit manikmaya.com or @clubkembang for more information.

JPlus July 12, 2015

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coverSTORY

Trapped

for good

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JPlus July 12, 2015

coverSTORY

The 'hijab' has taken zaskia adya mecca on an unexpected journey WORDS Sondang Grace Sirait

PHOTOS MEUTIA ANANDA

Z

askia Adya Mecca used to believe that life was going to happen according to her mother's plans.

From scheduling auditions to having her pray five times a day, Zaskia's mother did everything. There was nothing else for young girl to do except to keep up the routine, which in the end landed her a few modeling and B-list acting gigs.

Then, in 2005, things changed. Indonesia was at the dawn of a new era of Muslim fashion. As one of the few celebrities who donned a hijab early on, the AcehneseSundanese actress instantly grabbed massive attention.

Her big break came not long after. “Pak Haji Deddy Mizwar picked me for a major role in his new production at that time. I remember him saying, ‘It’s not because of your acting. It’s not because you’re the prettiest. I’m choosing you because of the hijab’,” she recalls. Deddy, a senior director and actor, and now vice governor of West Java, wanted to create a new Muslim star – and had his eyes set on the young starlet.

Deddy had the right instincts. As soon as the sinetron (local soap opera) Kiamat Sudah Dekat (The End of the World is Near) began airing, Indonesia fell in love with the sweet-faced actress. Ratings shot through the roof. More success followed, including the Islamic-nuanced series Munajah Cinta and Para Pencari Tuhan. Come Ramadhan, her face would grace the television screen day and night.

Off camera, Zaskia’s agenda was always fully booked.

“The moment I started wearing a hijab, I went from being scarcely known to being famous nationwide. Everywhere I went, people literally knew me. Just going to the Tanah Abang textile market, people would be asking for a Zaskiastyle hijab,” the 27-year-old actress shares.

When shooting the film Ayat-ayat Cinta (Verses of Love), Zaskia met her future husband, award-winning filmmaker Hanung Bramantyo, whom she initially described as a major snob. “He totally ignored me on the set. I thought to myself, someday I’m going to make him feel differently about me,” says Zaskia, laughing.

One birthday cake from Zaskia to Hanung and countless conversations later, the two fell in love. Today they’re happily married with two young children, although Zaskia, coming from a big family (she’s second out of seven siblings), insists they should aim for two more.

Within a decade, the actress evolved into a major name in the local entertainment scene, again thanks to the hijab.

Last year, she was voted as the country’s most fashionable celebrity with a hijab. By now, her followers have reached 2.4 million on Instagram, and her fashion retail store Meccanism is steadily expanding. She also produced and starred in a movie about the hijab in Indonesia, in collaboration with her husband.

JPlus July 12, 2015

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coverSTORY

I was saved by the hijab.

I was trapped, but I was trapped in an unbelievably wonderful thing.

SiDe spin

As a fashion trendsetter, how would you describe your personal style?

Simple and casual. I don’t believe it when people say "beauty is pain". You’ll never see me in high stilettoes, because I know they’re just not comfortable. I’ve got friends who spend lots of money on pricey designer shoes and I would question them about their decision. Who are you looking pretty for, if you have to end up feeling uncomfortable? I just don’t buy that logic.

Do you have regrets in life?

I wish the way I embraced religion had been through a less imposing way. Coming from a Muslim family, I was always told that I would go to hell if I didn’t do my prayers or that God would be angry if I didn’t fast. So I ended up a being rebel in my teenage years, picking up smoking at some point, hanging out with the wrong crowd.

I’m going to do it differently with my children. I’m determined to teach them a peaceful Islam.

How do you envision your life at 40?

I will have three kids by then, or hopefully four.

My 'hijab' store will have expanded throughout Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. My businesses are settled, and I will have had my own workshop where I produce my clothes. My husband will be making movies solely based on his idealism. And my kids will be on the right track.

What books do you read?

I’ve always liked to read novels, but after getting married, my husband made me read books on history, so I’ve been digging into biographies and Islamic tasawwuf (Sufism) as well. The book that really changed my life was The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Basically it taught me to embrace positive thinking. What we attract is what we get.

I was always a pessimistic, but having read that book, I now have felt real changes in my life. It makes life easier, if you know the secrets. Allah has given us the clues.

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JPlus July 12, 2015

The hijab, it seems, has worked its charm well on Zaskia, although she confides that the story behind her decision to switch to Muslim attire was far from dramatic.

“You could say I was trapped. I was only 17. I had no plans to wear hijab. One day I went along with a friend to a two-day Islamic motivational seminar. The first day, I wasn’t properly dressed, low-cut and all that, so I thought, out of respect, I’d put on the hijab for the second day. But before I knew it, they took me on stage, congratulating and praying for me. The older women were hysterical, saying how they wish their daughters would follow suit,” recalls Zaskia. “Had I told them the truth, I think I would’ve broken their hearts.”

It took her some time before she internalized the calling and really started to embrace her new identity. The pious Muslim in Zaskia kept reminding her that it was Allah’s calling, in her own words, “to move one step closer to Him”.

When asked to revisit the experience, now she proudly admits, “I was saved by the hijab. I was trapped, but I was trapped in an unbelievably wonderful thing.”

It’s a story she also shared in the movie Hijab.

“I wanted people to understand that hijab wasn’t restricted to people in Islamic boarding schools.

People have different stories of how they come to embrace it,” maintains Zaskia, whose maternal grandfather is German.

That movie, however, received more flak than

it did accolades. Conservative Muslims found the movie to be brash and condescending toward the religion. For a while, Zaskia and her husband fought back. “Indonesians are just not ready to face the naked truth. They’d rather keep it untold, even though they know it’s the reality,” sighs Zaskia.

Still, for now, she's opted out from creating more movies. “I’ve paid my dues. Let my husband do his thing and I will focus on business.”

With that, Zaskia focused on establishing more business ventures and expanding already existing ones. The morning we met for interview and photo shoot at The Edge in the Kemang Icon by Alila in South Jakarta, she had just returned from Bandung for the opening of a branch for her hijab store. A new interior design store is slated to open after the Lebaran holidays. She’s also got a maternity wear line, in partnership with fellow celebrity Laudya Cynthia Bella.

Since marrying Hanung, Zaskia has been more choosy in choosing her acting gigs, refusing sinetron and sticking to films. Almost all of her movies since then had been directed by her husband.

But now, she longs to go back to the real world, eyeing roles in movies that are not necessarily infused with Islamic values, but with a positive message. “That said, I do think I’m going to miss having the luxury of ordering the director to take my scenes at odd hours that best suit my personal needs,” she chuckles.

at your LEISURE

Adventures

in a ghost town urban exploration when jakarta is at its emptiest WORDS Andry Togama Photos the jakarta post

A

fter a couple of weeks of heavy traffic – which, defying the imagination, has been even worse than usual – the streets of Jakarta will soon be at their most vacant for Idul Fitri.

However, not everyone in the capital will join the mudik, or holiday exodus, nor will they vacation in Bali or Singapore. Some of us will be stuck in the big city.

With almost a week to spare for the holiday, things might be bleak if you don’t have plans. But there’s a silver lining for those of us left behind: The roads are empty, making Idul Fitri the perfect time to explore Jakarta without spending too much time in traffic.

Need some ideas? JPlus has you covered.

Road meditation While the city’s main roads will be empty during the holiday, avoid the outer ring road and the roads connecting Jakarta to its satellite cities.

Counterintuitively, Jakarta will be quiet while the suburbs will be crowded with people making holiday visits and spending time with the family.

If you choose to use a motorcycle or car, drive slowly and open the window. Drive around Jl. Sudirman or other busy districts and experience the different atmosphere.

Another idea is to board a commuter line train to go around town. Don’t forget that the double-decker City Tour Bus is still operational, but for this one, we can’t guarantee that the lines will be shorter.

To make the most of the situation, it’s best to ride a bicycle. Make sure to wear a helmet even though you are not racing here.

Hotel staycation For some families, this time of year can be a challenge after their domestic help returns home for the holiday.

While the first couple of days of housekeeping might be fun; at some point, you also need to spoil your family.

Resort hotels outside of the city are expected to reach peak occupancy over the holiday, but not business hotels in the city. It’s a good time to pamper yourself and your

family. To get the best experience, pick a venue near an interesting tourist spot, such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in East Jakarta.

There are two hotels to choose from inside TMII and one located just outside the park – meaning you can access all of TMII’s museums, the pavilions from every province in Indonesia, the waterpark as well as a host of restaurants or food stalls. For a couple of days, at least, you can forget about cleaning your house or preparing food.

Grand day out If you think the previous suggestions are not your cup of tea – or if you want to save some money –why not take a walk outside at a public park? We recommend Taman Surapati and Taman Menteng in Menteng, South Jakarta. Since the parks are located near one another, you can walk and enjoy the breeze, relatively car-free streets and some oxygen. It’s also perfect for a morning jog, but don’t overdo it.

On regular days, these parks are easily polluted, since they are positioned near busy streets. But with fewer vehicles passing during the holiday, you can enjoy a peaceful moment. Forget your gadgets and bring some books to read. For families, you can have a picnic, since there will be street vendors to sell you food.

If you live further south, Taman Ayodya and Taman Langsat are your best bets. Located in Melawai, South

Jakarta, Taman Langsat is perfect for kids, since there is a playground that’s open until 6 p.m. Nearby Taman Ayodya tends to attract couples, although the view isn’t too romantic.

Hisotry and culture If you choose to go to Taman Mini, you can visit some of its dozen or so museums. But there are also museums and cultural sites that are perfect for a day visit.

Setu Babakan (Babakan Lake), in Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, for example, is a great place to learn about the city’s indigenous Betawi people. You can experience a taste of life in Jakarta in the old days. There are also regular arts and cultural events.

Whenever you feel hungry, you can easily visit some street vendors and taste authentic Betawi foods, such as kerak telor, which is a duck-egg omelet with rice.

Another notable place that you can visit is the Mangrove Education Center, located a bit to the north near Muara Karang. Here, you can learn more about mangroves and how they can rehabilitate city’s ecology.

There are some great views in the center, which has a natural feel, even though it's not far from the city.

As a reminder, leave your camera or gadgets behind, since there will be an additional fee to bring them inside. Remember, this site is also a forest, so dress accordingly. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, as if you are going for a hike.

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On the

travelplanner

road

While the long holiday is sure to offer us a chance to see family or to unwind, getting back home – or to your favorite vacation spot ­– will be tough. Whether you travel by plane, train or automobile (please leave the mpotrocycles at home), traveling light is your best bet. Here are some choices to make your exodus fashionable, as well as stress free.

SOME THINGS TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY ESCAPE A LITTLE MORE STYLISH WORDS Banyubening Prieta

WEAR

Hevellyn Jacket Navy Oliver Spencer

A hooded jacket is essential when you’re on the road, facing unpredictable weather – not to mention excessive air conditioning.

The lightweight Helvellyn Jacket by Oliver Spencer is multifunctional and versatile, equipped with five pockets, inside and outside the shell, where you can keep your headphones, wallet and even a notebook tucked away. Offering a fashionable fusion of tech and tailoring, the jacket is cut slightly longer – and offers a double zip, a peaked hood and a popper placket to keep the rain and chill off. oliverspencer.co.uk From US$275

WATCH

Shinola Runwell Titanium Chrono

Make a statement with the Shinola Runwell Titanium Chrono, the official timepiece of the 2015 Detroit Grand Prix and given to the champion driver of each series. The case is made from titanium and features double dome made from sapphire crystal, while the watch is powered by Argonite 5050 quartz movemen. Shinola, the brainchild of former Fossil CEO Tom Kartsotis, offers watches that are hand assembled from 103 Swiss-made components by craftspeople in Shinola’s workshop in Detroit. The result is a purposeful timepiece that makes an artisanal statement against mass-production monotony. shinola.com From US$1,100

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travelplaner

CHARGE

Knomo Elektronista Digital Clutch Bag

Copenhagen-based tech blogger and television presenter Christiane Vejlø has built a bag to keep all your gadgets charged while looking great. Her Knomo clutch is perfect for holding tablet-sized electronics (including their cases), your smartphone, your BlackBerry – along with credit cards, cables and make up – all while keeping sleek and compact under your arm. There’s also integrated 3000mAh battery and a micro-USB charging cable, so you won’t have to worry about finding an outlet to recharge when on the road. knomobags.com From 249 Euro

CARRY

BORSONE DA VIAGGIO 22 POLLICI X TRAVEL

Toss this duffle from Brics into the backseat and head out on the open road. The bag, which is sized 13”x22”x10”, is worth the investment. Its construction is perfect for short trips. A large gusseted bottom is perfect for all extra things you need to drag along for your trip, while a strap allows for the hold-all to be secured to a carry-on trolley handle. Duffels from the Italian designer’s Life collection are handcrafted using durable, easy to clean, sueded PVCcoated cotton and trimmed with full grain Tuscan leather. www.brics.it 265 Euro

SWIM

Bathing suits by Tomas Maier

If you’re planning on hitting the beach – or the pool during the holiday vacation, think Tomas Maier. The longtime creative director of Italian label Bottega Veneta is also known for his eponymous brand of wardrobe staples, which includes smart swimwear that comes in strong shapes and simple colors. The suits encapsulate the German designer’s low-key approach to luxury: the men’s peices are the perfect length, while the women’s are simple and flattering in the right places. Maier describes the look as casual, but still designed. tomasmaier.com From US$255

READ

'The Hunt 'guides

WALK

ZeroGrand Wing Oxford

Focused on flexibility and reduced weight, the ZeroGrand Wing Oxford from Cole Haan is a game changer for the traveler, offering an Oxford look that strikes the perfect balance between masculine and feminine. The venerable brand has redesigned the shoe from the stitch up, using lightweight components and what it calls "GrandOS cushioning" that makes the ZeroGrand weigh in at a minuscule 290 grams. It’s a futuristic wingtip that’s as light as a running sneaker, offering style and comfort while you’re waiting for your connecting flight.

From US$198

The authors of The Hunt may know a lot about bespoke tailors, cigar bars and the high life, but don’t let that deter you from picking up this delightfully crafted series of travel guidebooks.

Published in Singapore, The Hunt offers carefully curated city tours in book form.

Venues chosen are all independently owned and off the beaten track, while the writers of the books craft narratives about places that seem to be populated by characters who would be at home in a Paul Theroux novel. Maps are simply and lovingly sketched, designed to give a feel for the neighborhoods to be explored rather than for navigation.

Destinations covered include Singapore, San Francisco, New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Frankfurt – among many, many others. thehuntguides.com US$12

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wanderlust

Country of

Contrasts Sitting between Europe and Asia, Turkey is an intriguing mix of urban chic and village life, religious devotion and modern secularism WORDS Eddino Abdul Hadi PHOTOS AFP

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wanderlust

I

am a guest in the house of a very warm elderly couple in the village of Demircidere, in the Izmir province of western Turkey, and we have just finished a scrumptious home-cooked

lunch.

The husband, Ibrahim Ozden, is a retired jandarma officer, a military branch that polices outlying rural areas in Turkey.

His wife, Sanem, a housewife dressed in the local multicolored sequined blouse and headscarf, has lovingly and meticulously prepared a little rustic feast.

There is tarhana soup, a traditional probiotic made of yogurt and cracked wheat that has been sun-dried for days. It is served with bread freshly baked in the communal oven shared by all villagers.

We also have borek, a delectable pastry with a potato filling; cigirtma, a robust eggplant dish; and savoury dolma or grape leaves stuffed with rice.

The visit to the village, with a population less than 200, is certainly something off the beaten path for travelers. It is one of the revealing, multifarious experiences on my week-long visit to the country.

Anyone with a remote interest in travelling to Turkey would surely be aware of its appeal as the nexus between East and West, a country that bridges Europe and Asia.

My travels cover only the western part of the country, yet on our few stops, I marvel that many worlds and eras coalesce in Turkey – ancient Greek ruins in Ephesus, majestic mosques dating back to the Islamic Ottoman empire, a Catholic pilgrimage spot believed to be the Virgin Mary’s last house, poignant World War I monuments and a breathtaking night yacht trip down the Bosphorus strait that separates the two continents.

The population is predominantly Muslim, and beautiful, multi-minaret mosques dot the landscape, towering among buildings with modern, Byzantine, Genoese and Ottoman architecture.

For Muslim travelers, it is noteworthy that while the food is predominantly prepared halal, alcohol is served freely in many eating establishments. Indeed, our guide, travel director Yesim Guris, tells us that raki, an anise-flavored alcoholic beverage, is considered a national drink.

“What we do is between us and God,” she reasons.

The country’s secular stance can be traced to the founding father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a revered figure among the population.

His likeness is found everywhere - on T-shirts and posters, and a statue of him stands in the middle of most Turkish cities.

There is even a gigantic sculpture of his head on one side of a hill in Izmir, like a mini version of the American presidents on Mount Rushmore.

It was Ataturk who turned the Hagia Sophia, in Turkey’s largest and best-known city, Istanbul, from a place of worship into a museum in the 1930s. It is a 1,477-year-old former Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic cathedral that became a mosque in the 15th century.

Yesim tells us

Ahmed Mosque, named after the 17thcentury Ottoman sultan whose tomb lies within the compound.

Considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture, there is a good reason why its image is used in all the tourism collateral - it really is majestic and beautiful in real life.

The massive, multiple domes and the six towering minarets are not blue, but a lot of the interior, which counts more than 200 stained glass windows and Quranic verses by calligraphy great Seyyid Kasim Gubari, is.

Also in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district – together

Ataturk insisted that the building’s breathtakingly beautiful interior be appreciated by everyone, hence his decision.

Inside, the eye is immediately drawn to the ceiling – the massive central dome, 31m in diameter and 48.5 meters high, is surrounded by Quranic scriptures right next to Christian mosaic works.

Turkey’s most famous architectural icon, the Blue Mosque, located across the Hagia Sophia, is still a place of worship though, and it is closed to tourists five times a day for Muslims to pray in. The locals prefer to call it by its official name, the Sultan

with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia - is the Topkapi Palace, home to sultans from 1453 to 1852.

The sultans who presided over the vast Ottoman Empire lived large - the place housed 4,000 at its peak - and there are separate buildings for libraries, kitchens, harems and more. Today, the significant ones are open to the public as the palace is now a museum.

Within walking distance is the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest of its kind in the world. Comprising 60 streets and 5,000 stores peddling everything from carpets, scarves, handmade ceramics,

leather goods, jewellery and more, the 553-year-old bazaar can get overwhelming.

While the Grand Bazaar obviously has a wider range, you do not have to haggle at the souvenir shops and there is less pressure to buy. We can even pay with credit cards at some shops.

At the city’s Fatih district is the Spice or Egyptian Bazaar, the second-largest bazaar in Istanbul, built in the 17th century and a place of business for more than 80 stalls selling souvenirs, jewelry, fresh seafood and, of course, spices.

No trip to Turkey is complete without experiencing a genuine Turkish bath. While one can opt for modern spas around the city, I go to the 430- year-old Cemberlitas Hamami in the Sultanahmet district.

It is quite an experience to receive a vigorous scrub-down in a public bath, while lying on the hard marble platform, wrapped in a pestamal, a traditional cotton and silk wrap. While looking up at the dome roof, sunlight streaming in and my muscles rejuvenated and my skin tingling, I can imagine Istanbul residents from 400 years ago going through the same treatment.

Leaving Istanbul, our coach travels to Gallipoli, then crosses the Dardanelles strait for Canakkale and Izmir.

I am very excited to visit Troy, located in the Canakkale province, having read stories about King Priam and his sons, mad priestess Cassandra and the Trojan War when I was a child.

Unearthed by 19th-century archaeologists Frank Calvert and Heinrich Schliemann, the archaeological site has been acknowledged as the city Troy in Homer’s epic poem Iliad, and is now a Unesco World Heritage site.

From Troy, we make our way to the Izmir province’s capital city - also named Izmir and Turkey’s third most populous city where we spend two nights.

While the city center sees a lot of its student and young adult population hanging out by the picturesque bay, enjoying picnics in the day and socializing till the wee hours at the long row of restaurants and cafes, the rural areas, such as Demircidere village a few hours away, have a laid-back charm.

The contrast between the city and the villages is among the myriad experiences that Turkey has to offer, and one week is certainly not enough in this beautiful country.

The writer’s trip was sponsored by Trafalgar.

This article first appeared in The Life multimedia magazine published by the Straits Times.

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13

personality

INDIE DIRECTOR ISMAIL BASBETH’S BIG SCREEN DEBUT HITS CLOSE TO (HIS) HOME. Words Dian Arthen Photos Courtesy of Ismail Basbeth

I

t’s that time of the year, when local cinemas are filled with Lebaranthemed movies, offering a variety of plots, ranging from comedy to action – and from romance to family drama. One flick that’s worth buying a ticket for is Mencari Hilal (Crescent Moon).

In the film, a pious dad named Mahmud (Deddy Sutomo) has his faith shaken when the government blanches at spending billions of rupiah to determine when the moon rises to signal the start of Idul Fitri.

Mahmud launches a pilgrimage to show people that Islamic values transcend money – and along the way tries to win over his disappointed daughter (Erythrina Baskoro) and an estranged son (Oka Antara).

Mencari Hilal is the second film in a planned tetrarchy to be produced by Hanung Bramantyo, who is making four films to dispell the negative perceptions some might have about Islam.

Hanung, who typical sits in the director’s chair, tapped indie filmmaker Ismail Basbeth to helm Mencari Hilal. It’s the first time that Ismail, known for his acclaimed experimental films such as Another Trip to the Moon and Shelter, is shooting a mainstream commercial movie.

Speaking from his home in Yogyakarta, the 29-year-old tolf of how his collaboration with Hanung came about.

“I was preparing for Another Trip to the Moon last year when mas Hanung pitched me his idea of the four-movie project he’s working on.”

Although hesitant, Ismail agreed to make the movie under one condition: That he would be given the freedom to choose which of Hanung’s four films he would direct. To add his own touch, he also asked to work with the project’s screenwriters, Salman Aristo (Negeri 5 Menara, Garuda di Dadaku) and Bagus Brahmanti (Pintu Harmonika).

“I always work on something that’s close

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The Moving

Spirit to my heart,” says Ismail says, who was born in Wonosobo, Central Java. “Of the four scripts, Mencari Hilal was the one that I could relate to.”

The resonance comes from his family, which Ismail said was very religious, and his time at the Indonesia School of Art in Bandung, West Java, and Muhammadiyah University in Yogyakarta.

“As my younger self, I had so many questions for my parents,” he says. “When I moved back to my parents’ home, after spending some time living out of town, I felt like a young man who knew everything and kept on forcing my thoughts on my parents. This personal life experience is what I poured into the film.”

He says he’s now on good terms with his parents – and wouldn’t be able to do this movie if he wasn’t.

“I believe differences can be overcome by first accepting that we are different [….] If Another Trip to the Moon is about rejection, then Mencari Hilal tackles acceptance.”

While the intimacy Ismail had with the script might have led to creative differences with the film’s producers; he says nothing like that happened during production.

“I was friends with Hanung long before this project, so working with him just flowed naturally [….] his only request was not to make this movie an experimental one.”

He continues. “The other producers also gave their input, but they never imposed it on me.

We all know that this movie isn’t about who is Ismail Basbeth, who is Hanung Bramantyo or Haidar Bagir – the important thing is what this movie is to all of us and what is our vision for it.”

While it’s easy label Ismail as an indie director based on his filmography, he says he doesn’t want to be boxed into a specific genre. “I never feel like I’m

directing an ‘indie’ or a ‘commercial’ movie. I only make movies and that’s it […] I always have different style of directing in my every movie, either short or feature, and this is why I believe I’m more flexible in working in any kind of genre. What I celebrate is the many varieties of cinema. I’ll keep on changing my style, because that’s what I cherish.”

The biggest investment for him in a project is time, Ismail says. “It takes the same amount of time in making a serious/ non-serious or good/bad movie – that’s why I’m very careful in picking a project.”

Knowledge is also important, as is cash, he adds. “The last investment is money. This one is the easiest, because it’s mathematical, while time and knowledge are uncountable.”

On his hopes for the film’s reception, Ismail is phlegmatic.

“If the viewer is a son, I want him to call his father, and vice versa.

If it’s a woman, I want her to tell her father and brother to go watch this movie.”

Lebaran Watchlist Here’s a list of films slated for release during the run-up to Idul Fitri Mencari Hilal

Director: Ismail Basbeth Cast: Oka Antara, Deddy Sutomo, Torro Margens, Eryhrina Baskoro

Surga yang tak dirindukan

(Heaven That Is Not Missed) Director: Kutz Agus Cast: Fedi Nuril, Laudya Cynthia Bella, Raline Shah

Gangster

Director: Fajar Nugros Cast: Hamish Daud, Kelly Tandiono, Agus Kuncoro

Comic 8: Casino Kings Part 1

Director: Anggy Umbara Cast: Kemal Palevi, Ernest Prakarsa, Indro Warkop

Nasi Kebuli

tasteBUD

Nasi kebuli confirms that cross-cultural fusion can result in great things!

Words & Photos Theodora Hurustiati

Acar nanas (Pickled Pineapple)

• 1/4 pineapple • 1 cucumber • 1 small carrot • 1-3 red chilis, to taste • 1 lime, juiced • 1 teaspoon sugar • Salt

T

his spiced rice is a classic festive dish among the Arab-Batavian community and is often served for Idul Adha and Idul Fitri. While its Arab origin is clear from the intense use of spices, the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and coconut milk are Indonesia’s contributions to adapt the dish’s taste to the local palate. Don’t get discouraged: There are quite a lot of ingredients to gather, but it’s actually pretty simple to prepare. Have a blessed Eid and get cooking!

Peel and roughly chop shallots. Peel and lightly crush garlic.

Place half of the shallots and one clove of garlic in a deep pan.

Insert lamb, previously cut into large chunks (ask the butcher to do it for you). Add cinnamon, star anises, 10 peppercorns, 6 cloves, thinly sliced ginger and nutmeg.

Cover with about 2 liters of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add salt and simmer for about 60-90 minutes until meat is tender.

Meanwhile, dry roast the remaining peppercorns, coriander, fennel and cumin seeds until fragrant.

Place in a spice grinder or in a mortar along with turmeric powder and the remaining shallots and garlic. Reduce to a paste. If using a spice grinder, add a touch of oil to help everything bind.

Once lamb is tender, slice half into about 2-cm cubes and tap dry the other half using kitchen towel, leaving them in large pieces. Set aside. Keep the broth for later.

Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a large pan. Sweat the spice paste until fragrant along with the remaining cloves, cardamom pods (crushed), lemongrass (lightly bruised and tied into a knot), bay leaves and kaffir lime leaves.

Add the diced lamb and stir-fry until the edges are slightly brown.

Add rice and mix to cover the grains evenly with spices.

Pour in coconut milk and 250 ml of the lamb broth. Add salt, stir and cover pan with lid. Lower the heat to minimum and cook for 1520 minutes until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Turn off the heat and rest for 10-15 minutes.

While the rice is resting, deep fry the remaining cooked lamb.

Add a pinch of salt while it’s still warm.

Fluff rice with fork. Serve warm with the fried lamb, some emping crackers, and freshly pickled pineapple. Garnish with fried shallots, sliced cucumber and tomatoes.

Slice tomatoes and a third of cucumber into thin rounds. Set aside for garnish.

Cut the rest of cucumber into half-moon shape. Peel pineapple and discard the woody core. Cut into 2-cm cubes. Peel carrots and slice into small matchsticks-like batons.

Deseed chilies and reduce to a paste using a pestle and mortar.

Place in a bowl. Add salt, lime juice and sugar to balance the acidity.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 3 Nasi Kebuli (Kebuli rice) • 400 g lamb, thigh or leg • 250 g rice • 250 ml coconut milk • 250 ml water • 5 cm fresh ginger • 50 g shallots • 2 cloves garlic • 5-cm cinnamon stick • ¼ nutmeg, finely grated • 2 star anises • 9 cloves • 15 black peppercorns • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds • 1 teaspoon powdered turmeric • 3 cardamom pods • 1 lemongrass, bruised • 3 kaffir lime leaves • 2 bay leaves • Vegetable oil • Salt

Jakarta-born chef Theodora Hurustiati, a 12-year resident of Udine, Italy, was the runner-up in the TV cooking program La Scuola – Cucina di Classe (The School: Classy Cooking) in 2011.

JPlus July 12, 2015

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trendDIAL Adidas

The python-print sneaker is finally in town! The Adidas Originals Tubular Runner Primeknit Snake Pack aims to transform trainers into street wear, offering progressive silhouettes combined with “breathable and flexible” primeknit technology.

Available in seasonal color selections, the shoe have snakeskin patterns that create a contemporary look to catch attention with an outsole inspired by inflatable bicycle tires and tonal striped laces. It's an intuitive combination of sports and fashion statement.

ALL THIS

AND MORE time to treat yourself

Olloclip

Upstart tech phone accessory line Olloclip is aiming to foment a mobile photography revolution through Kickstarter. The project – the olloclip Studio Accessory Kit – aims to offer a protective phone case with an integrated mounting system and a series of mobile photography adds-on, such as a finger grip, clips, a cold-shoe adapter and a kickstand. The kit is also aimed at the accessories needed to broadcast content – perfect for digital nomads using social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or Periscope. If the target is met, the kit will be available in September for US$49.

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Estee Lauder x Kendall Jenner Looking for something poppy this summer? Kendall Jenner just launched a limited edition lipstick shade for Esteé Lauder named “Restless”. This bold orange-red blend brings a vibrant shade that suits any occasion and has a timereleased moisture complex that will hydrate your lips for 6 hours. The luxurious case itself is a statement, with a magnetic closure that replicates Jenner’s signature on the bottom in the same shade of the lipstick. This is one bullet that will surely transform your lips, your look and your attitude.