Film adaptation of Eka Kurniawan’s novel sets sights on global market

The third novel by award-winning author Eka Kurniawan, Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas, peculiarly given the international title Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash, has its cards lined up to become the next most-awaited movie. There is still another year to go before the movie hits theaters, but it has already shown strength with its film production and potential international appeal. The novel has a vivid, cinematic storytelling style as it explores the love story of Ajo Kawir, a fighter who keeps his sexual impotency a secret, and Iteung, a female bodyguard of the local mafia. Translated into six languages with good reviews worldwide, the novel, which is set in Indonesia in the 1980s and 90s, takes a look at gender equality issues and power relationships, all wrapped up nicely in a romantic story peppered with fights and a car chase.