My wedding is still six months away.
But my world
gradually crumbled.
And the life that I love will be shattered
once I become the wife of some stranger.
Come on, don't act like that.
Smile. We are taking pictures.
Show your beauty. Hey.
Dress properly.
M CITY, 1964
Dasiyah, you haven't changed your clothes?
We're taking pictures.
Now?
For what, Mom?
For mementos, of course.
You'll be leaving this house once you get married.
Come on, change your clothes.
Come on.
-Look at your daughter. -Why are you still wearing black?
-Let's go. -Come on. It will be noon soon.
-Ms. Marem! -Yes, sir?
It's a rare chance so let's all take a photo together
-Yes, sir! -Everybody! Come on!
Mr. Dibjo, let's take a picture.
-You don't want to be left out! -Mr. Raja!
-Come, join the photo! -We're going to take a photo!
-Come here! -Come on!
-Make it good, sir! -Roger, sir!
Move a little.
Good, once more. Please move.
Okay, good.
One, two.
BASED ON NOVEL BY RATIH KUMALA
CIGARETTE GIRL
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
Why do you have my mom's picture?
Really? Which one is your mom?
May I know your mom's name?
I'm sorry.
I can't tell my mom's name to a stranger.
Excuse me, I have to answer a call in my room.
Please call me if you need anything.
Excuse me.
Okay.
I'm…
Something's wrong?
Wait a second.
-Miss, can you call the hospital for me? -Yes?
Sure, ma'am.
All right, it's through, here.
Yes. Dr. Arum speaking.
Around what time the body temperature rose?
Okay. Please ask Dr. Ratih to handle it for now. Yes.
I'll go to the hospital soon.
Thank you.
Thank you, miss.
-I have to return to the hospital. -Are you done?
If you need my help with anything, just reach me through this number.
Excuse me.
-Thank you. -Wait. Miss, wait…
Anything else?
Here's the thing, Ms. Doctor. I just need your mom's name.
It's really urgent.
My dad is looking for the person in that picture.
Who is your dad?
I don't even know him.
My mom's friend?
My mom's distant relative?
Explain it slowly,
-so I can grasp the situation. -All right, okay.
Listen. Actually, I don't know
the relationship between my dad and the person whom he's looking for.
But…
my dad is very sick.
This is his last wish.
And I'm sure this is important.
This one is my mom, Rukayah.
These are my grandparents, Idroes,
Roemaisa.
And this is my aunt.
Who is your dad looking for?
Jeng Yah.
Jeng Yah. Which one is Jeng Yah?
Wait a minute.
I don't know.
Do you know where is the location of the building in the picture?
There are a lot of old buildings here,
but I don't think they're in good condition now.
Okay, I have to go. It's already late.
Wait.
Anything else?
This is the old letter written by Jeng Yah.
I don't know her relation to my family or your family,
since I don't know who she is.
But I'm sure there is something.
Please, read it first. Please.
KRETEK MUSEUM, CENTRAL JAVA
The world revolves like a mystery that you'll never understand.
But we'll always find a space
that would bring us to the answers that we are looking for.
For me,
there's only one place where I want to go.
A place where I could smell all the fragrance of life.
The scent that could lead me
to find the real me.
Although no one should ever know
what I am doing here.
Please continue, ma'am.
I'm not going to tell anyone.
Mr. Dibjo just asked me to put this here.
Mr. Dibjo?
Turns out it's you, Mr. Raja.
Be careful when you are working.
-Do you want me to help you? -No need to. Don't bother, miss.
Miss, Mr. Dibjo said that your Klepon is very delicious.
-Is it true? -It is.
I've never tried it. Really?
Tomorrow I'll make it for Mr. Raja. Especially for you.
Yes, please!
Okay. Thank you, miss.
I'll get back to work, ma'am.
Mr. Raja!
The Klepon is done.
I've been waiting for this!
Let me share them!
-Is it good? -It's delicious.
-Sir, try them! -Please try them!
They're freshly steamed!
-So good! -They're still hot!
Everyone, please have some!
Please have some!
Ms. Marem made these for us!
Here it is!
Don't fight over the cakes! Tasty, right?
There's still a lot, so eat up!
You don't have to worry!
Please, don't hold back.
-Mr. Raja, thank you for the Klepon. -You're welcome.
-There's still a lot of it. -Okay.
I see you've already befriended a lot of people here.
Well,
still not all of them, ma'am.
This is it, ma'am.
Our first order of tobacco leaves from Mr. Mego.
This is very good.
Right.
He gave us a lot of buds.
-That's very kind of him. -Yes.
Hey.
What is this?
Is this a kretek factory or a tobacco field?
How are we supposed to make kretek if the tobacco leaves are still like this?
How?
Dad, we agreed.
We can get good tobacco leaves if we buy fresh ones.
I understand. Really.
But this makes it more complicated.
We need time to cure all of these.
Besides, we never did business with him before.
I used to work at Mr. Mego's tobacco field, sir.
It's a real Srintil tobacco field.
He trusts me.
He even sent us all these without a down payment, sir.
Without a down payment?
How did you do that?
I told him about Kretek Merdeka's reputation.
And by chance, he's also looking for regular customers.
I said, if the price is good, we can buy them from him again
and he agreed.
And about drying the tobacco, sir,
we can use that empty storeroom.
I'll take care of everything, sir.
-Hey. -Yes?
How long have you been working here?
Almost three months, sir.
Three months.
Good.
Good work.
Now, go back to your work.
Yes.
Okay, sir. Excuse me, sir.
Yah.
Did you see, Yah?
This is what we call destiny.
You asked me to help him when he was in the market.
Now, he's the answer to our prayers.
What do you mean?
I doubt that my smart daughter doesn't understand what I'm saying.
Raja could be our new foreman.
I was worried.
Once you are married, you will leave the factory.
Then who would assist me?
But now, we've found the solution.
Excuse me, Dad.
Mom was asking for me.
All right.
By the way, tell your mom too.
Okay?
That's why it's called the mystery of life.
Because we'll never know
when it will take our side.
Are you sure Jeng Yah is not your mom?
Listen. "Jeng" is not a name, but like…
Like an honorific title for respectable women from that era.
And also, nobody calls my mom "Jeng".
That's why, you should explore outside of Jakarta more.
How do you know I'm from Jakarta?
Of course I know, from your appearance.
From the way you talk and the way you dress up,
you must be from Jakarta, no doubt.
Sorry, I didn't mean to…
My mouth likes to run off on its own once I open it, sorry.
No. You're not wrong.
I'm the one
who started the conversation awkwardly.
So when I'm trying to make things right, I'm a bit…
confused about where I should start.
Let's restart, okay?
Hello, Ms. Doctor. My name…
is Lebas
and I really need your help.
Yes, I am from Jakarta,
but not everyone from Jakarta is annoying.
Actually, I'm not.
I think you should work harder to prove everything that you just said.
And one more thing, don't call me "Ms. Doctor".
I'm here not as a doctor, you know.
And you are not my patient, Mr. Lebas.
Arum.
Do you have any other leads
that can help me find Jeng Yah?
Well, the thing is,
I don't even know that much about my family
because my mom doesn't talk much about it.
But what I know for sure is,
that my mom was never interested in Grandpa's kretek business.
I see.
But you think
who's likely to be called "Jeng Yah" in this picture?
It can't be my grandma. It just can't.
I also don't know the other female workers' names.
So there's a big chance that Jeng Yah
is my aunt.
Her name is Dasiyah.
Okay.
Can I meet your aunt?
It's not that you can't.
It's just I don't know where my aunt is right now.
What? Sorry, wait. What do you mean?
Well, she's your aunt!
You don't know? Does your mom know?
She probably knows,
but every time I asked her about my aunt,
she ended up crying,
that's why I stopped asking.
Got it?
Wait a minute.
What kind of place is this?
This is a storeroom where they keep donated things.
-We don't need permission to enter? -Of course not. It belongs to my family.
But it has been donated.
Logically, it's not yours anymore.
Now, what do you want?
Stay in here or get into the room and help your dad? It's up to you.
I haven't checked all the things in here,
but I remember that I found a letter
that has a very similar handwriting
with the one on the letter that you brought, Bas.
Let me check first.
Yes.
MOM GOT QUIET AFTER TEGAR MENTIONED JENG YAH
What's this…
YOU SHOULD TALK TO HER
Not this one.
From now on, you don't need to take care of the factory anymore.
From now on, don't go anywhere
until your wedding day has come.
Your seclusion period has started.
Be careful.
MERDEKA DJAJA KRETEK CIGARETTE
IDROES MOERIA
I've been looking all over the place, turns out you both are here.
Yes, Mrs. Sri, I've been checking the donated things here.
I was looking for you, but I couldn't find you,
so I thought you were too busy.
No problem. It's okay.
Mr. Lebas, can I take a picture with you?
Kretek DR owner's son visiting this place is not an everyday occurrence.
I already took a picture with your dad, Mr. Raja.
I want to display them next to each other.
It's just a minute, and won't take long.
She's waiting for you.
Come on, hurry up!
Thank you for the Flavor Room key.
This is how you fry tempeh. Put it down slowly.
Now try it yourself.
Sit here.
Now this is your chair.
This is your table.
You got the right to use everything here.
You can control everything.
Don't throw it from afar, the oil will splash!
Take it slowly. Don't be afraid.
Where are you going?
Why are you leaving the tempeh?
-Good afternoon, everyone. -Good afternoon, sir.
Now, Mr. Raja is the new foreman.
-Okay, sir. -Okay, sir.
-Congratulations, Mr. Foreman! -Please, don't make a fuss over it!
Turns out it's DR.
Don't get the wrong idea,
but I have to tell you from the start
that this is a private matter.
It's nothing to do with the company.
I've told you right from the start.
I don't know why my dad is looking for Jeng Yah.
But if you want compensation or something…
Wait a minute.
What did you say?
I can't hear you. Please repeat.
Compensation?
Aren't you the one asking me for help?
Yes.
I'm the one asking for help.
-It's not what I mean. -Then what is it?
-Explain it slowly so I get it. -Okay, listen.
Most people, when they heard about Kretek DR,
they always ask for money
or something like that.
Let me explain.
Just so you know,
I really hate cigarettes.
Cigarettes cause illness.
Understood?
Yes.
Second, I'm here helping you not because of any other motives.
I also want to know what happened to my aunt, my family.
Listen to people when they talk.
Third, as a doctor, there's no way I'd say,
"I'm sorry, Mr. Lebas, I can't help your sick dad."
Even though his son is asking for help without proper manners.
Do you understand?
Yes, I'm sorry.
I'm tired of hearing your sorry.
-I found another letter. -What?
I found a letter.
But if you don't want to read it now, maybe later.
Okay, let me see.
Do you want to read it together?
The proposal ceremony is only a few days away.
Mom told me to learn how to be a proper woman,
whose duties are only to cook,
put on makeup, and give birth to a child.
Come on, Yah, why can't you do it?
If your mother-in-law finds out, she will assume I never taught you.
Like this.
Tie the end first, then put it in here. Like that.
Excuse me, Auntie.
-Hey, pretty girl. -Excuse me, Dasiyah.
Auntie, I brought some roses from our garden.
Dad told me to give them to you.
He congratulates you on Ms. Dasiyah's engagement.
Dad said you like roses, right?
-Thank you. -You're welcome, Auntie.
-Are you coming, Yah? -Wait. I haven't finished this.
You go to the factory first.
Mr. Raja is there, right?
All right, I'll go to the factory first. Excuse me.
I'll catch up later.
What's wrong with Mr. Raja?
I think Purwanti has feelings for Mr. Raja.
Mr. Raja also likes Purwanti.
How do you know that?
A woman's intuition is never wrong, Sis.
Enough about it.
I'm done, Mom!
Don't tell anything about these roses to your dad. Okay?
There were times,
when Sir Djagad and I crossed each other's path.
Well, just think of it as the past that you don't need to bring up again.
Consider it a reminder
that your dad and mom
had a lot more experience than you.
This marriage will not only be the best choice for you, my daughter.
It's also important for our business.
Yes, Mom.
I understand.
Consider this
as part of your duty.
I'm sure you won't regret it.
Just call me if you need anything.
Thank you for the goods.
They're good quality.
Thank you very much.
-We also thank you. -No, I'm very grateful.
-Let's work together from now on. -Keep me up to date.
Wait.
What's going on here?
How did you get into the Flavor Room?
Who gave you permission?
Women are not supposed to enter the Flavor Room.
Mr. Dibjo,
I'm sure there's a reason why Dasiyah is in the Flavor Room.
Right, dear?
I have an idea for a new flavor.
Oh my God!
You have to understand.
Unless we bring out something new,
people will switch to Kretek Proklamasi.
Are you saying that my flavor is not good?
-What do you even know about flavor? -I know.
If you give me a chance…
-Give me some time. I will prove that… -She's crossing the line, Sir Idroes.
She's crossing the line. No way!
Women aren't allowed to enter the Flavor Room!
It's not a good thing.
Don't blame me
if Kretek Merdeka tastes sour after this.
Mr. Dibjo.
I can guarantee that the Flavor Room is cleaned by tomorrow, sir.
Are you okay with that, sir?
It has to be really clean.
Sure, sir. I can guarantee that.
No female odor.
You have to clean this too.
My dear, pretty daughter.
Hand it to Raja.
Just hand it over. Give it to him.
Ma'am!
Madam Dasiyah!
Ma'am.
I think you misunderstood my action just now.
Ma'am!
Madam Dasiyah!
Madam Dasiyah.
Ma'am, please.
Let me explain myself.
First,
you sweet-talked my dad and factory employees
so you can be the foreman.
Second,
you gave me the key so you can set me up.
Third,
you're doing business with people that came to the factory.
-I saw it. -Wait. Wait a second, ma'am.
I would never betray Sir Idroes's trust, ma'am.
I owe my life to Sir Idroes.
I owe your family.
I agreed to be the foreman
so you can get the key to Flavor Room.
I never had any intention to set you up.
About the people you mentioned earlier…
They're my chance to get some capital.
Did my dad know about this?
No, ma'am.
But it won't affect Sir Idroes' business at all. I guarantee.
Is the salary from us not enough?
It's more than enough.
But that's not the problem.
I…
I have to prove myself.
My dad trusts you.
The factory employees respect you.
Who else do you need to prove yourself to?
To you, ma'am.
Every time I'm with you,
there's this feeling that I don't understand.
I've tried to hold this feeling in, but…
my heart has its own desire.
Every time I see you,
there's something that…
That I never felt before.
Me?
But I'm different from other women.
I don't want to serve men.
I don't want to just stay at home.
I only think about one thing.
Kretek.
Yes.
I know that.
Maybe not everyone understands you.
But I do.
Everything that you said just now,
I like all of them.
I don't have anyone.
I don't have anything.
But I can promise you
that I will try
to give you a life fitting to you,
Dasiyah.
But why talk about this now?
It's already too late now.
I already threw away all of my dreams.
And I know
I probably will never have what I want.
Then tell me.
What do you want, ma'am?
What for?
IDROES MOERIA KRETEK FACTORY
May I help you?
Are you lost, sir?
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
Madam Dasiyah.
Have we met before?
I hope so.
I want our first meeting to be better than this
or at least in better weather.
I'm Seno Aji.
It's quite slippery, so may I help you?
To be honest, at that time, I know exactly what I want.
But how far am I able and allowed to choose on my own?
Even until now,
-that still remains -"That still remains
-as a big question for me. -as a big question for me."
Have you seen any other part where she mentioned her fiancé?
Seno.
No.
She mainly used initials such as P or R.
She often mentioned Raja.
What's wrong?
Seno
is my dad.
I never expected that my aunt and my dad were engaged at some point.
Maybe that's why my mom didn't tell me anything about this.
Oh my God.
So what do you think?
Exciting, isn't it?
Turns out your dad has secrets too.
Now I'm the one whose mouth ran off on its own.
My dad passed away
before I was born, Bas.
So I know nothing about my dad.
Mom only told me
that he was a good soldier.
A man who was always there for his family.
Well…
At least now we can add my dad to our mystery list, right?
Sure.
I want to find the others.
I want
to find out more about my dad.
Okay.
My engagement day with Seno grew closer.
Both families already know each other.
And they always have ways to leave us alone.
Both are sold out.
I merely follow the plan that they have made for us.
-All right, let's just leave it up to him. -Okay.
Excuse me.
I know
that turning down Raja is not a mistake.
But why is my heart restless?
So you will help my sales there
and I will help your sales here.
Our kretek have their own fans.
-Yes. -So it will be a win-win for us.
Dad.
We need more than just a marketing strategy.
What is this?
Are you also interested in kretek, pretty girl?
Actually, Dasiyah has been helping me in the factory since she was little.
Well, it's not something to be proud of.
Actually, I already felt that
from the moment I saw you in the market.
Well, to be honest
I want Dasiyah to do things appropriate for ladies.
Excuse me, Sir Idroes.
You don't have to worry.
I promise,
Dasiyah will never have to work again.
And I will always protect her
starting from the moment of our engagement tomorrow.
Your son is so manly.
Yes. Thank you very much, Seno.
I'm following my dad.
When Sir Idroes and I decided
to have our children betrothed to each other.
Honestly, I was not quite sure.
As you know,
my son has a brilliant career in the military.
So it's natural for me to wish a suitable partner for him.
But after meeting Dasiyah,
on the contrary, now I'm hoping
that my son would be worthy enough
to be Dasiyah's partner.
So dear, please forgive me.
I hope
this son of mine can prove himself
to be the one who is the most suitable for you,
Jeng Yah.
IDROES MOERIA KRETEK FACTORY
Sir, can we…
-Mr. Joko! -Ms. Doctor!
-How are you, sir? -Good.
-You haven't been coming lately. -Been busy, sir.
-How are you, miss? -I'm good.
Thank goodness.
-Two of the usual, please. -Sure, miss.
Hello, sir!
Yes, Ms. Doctor.
-Are you doing well, sir? -Yes.
If you want to feel even better,
please put out this cigarette.
-Please cut down on smoking, -All right.
-you don't want to get sick. -All right, thank you.
-Cut it down, okay? -All right.
Do you come here often?
Yes.
That old man used to be my patient in the hospital.
And Mr. Joko is his son.
So I often come here to eat.
They're like my own family.
So it's already certain.
Jeng Yah is my aunt. Dasiyah.
Yes.
Wait. I think there's one more letter that we haven't read yet.
-Really? -Yes.
Let me see.
I'm off.
Bas.
There are no more letters, right?
Only these?
Only these.
So what should we do now?
Just keep the letters, okay?
I don't want to lose it.
Okay.
Hold on.
You can open this?
Of course. You didn't know that?
No, I didn't.
So you haven't read the ones inside?
-Not yet. -Seriously.
Let's read it.
Wait a minute.
-Bas. -Yes? What's wrong?
I don't think it's my aunt's handwriting.
-It's different from that one. -Let me see.
It's my dad's handwriting.
All my life,
I've never felt such a strong desire.
These past few days,
I keep seeing you with that man.
It's hard to admit,
but I know very well…
that neither he
nor I
can give you happiness.
But…
I will do anything that you need.
Because I love you,
Jeng Yah.
Subtitle translation by: Muhammad Yudiansyah