Arisan!


Arisan! is a 2003 Indonesian film. It is the first Indonesian film with a gay theme, and the first Indonesian film to use high-definition color enhancement. It uses a mixture of English, standard Indonesian and Jakartan slang. Arisan! became the second film in Indonesian film history to win all six major awards in Festival Film Indonesia, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress, after Ibunda in 1986. Arisan! was also the first film in Indonesian film history to include two men kissing, by the characters Sakti and Nino. The two won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the Festival Film Indonesia.
A television series as a continuation of the movie with the same title has been airing on AnTV.
As of 2019/2020 the movie is streaming on Netflix under its English title The Gathering.

Plot

The story is based in Jakarta in Indonesia. It revolves around three main characters, Meimei, Andien and Sakti, who struggle to maintain their facade of perfection in front of their arisan friends. An arisan is a meeting fraternity of upscale female socialites in Jakarta who meet regularly to share gossip and draw lots to see who takes home the money they all contribute.
The main character is Meimei, an interior designer with a business of her own. Her husband has left her for an actress, and also finds out that she cannot get pregnant. When she finally finds a new love interest, Nino, it turns out that Nino is more interested in her best friend, Sakti. While another friend Andien, is a betrayed wife.
Sakti is the gay character who, at the start, is in denial of his homosexual identity, and afraid of what his family and friends will think of him. Then he enters a relationship with another man, and must learn to face new challenges. The relationship between the two was complicated, but they're trying to keep it strong.

Cast

is a common term for a monthly social gathering between friends and relatives who chip in money to be won in turns through a lucky draw. From villagers in far-flung areas to urban professionals in big cities, arisan - initially born as a type of support network for ethnic Chinese merchants - is hugely popular among Indonesia's 210 million people, especially housewives. But some arisan in Jakarta have grown into an exhibit of wealth featuring a who's who of high society.