Tarling is Darling

Tarling Dangdut is Indonesian traditional music of Java, performed with erotic dancing by skimpily clad female singers. It is popular with the public but Muslim clerics are trying to ban it because they see it as shameful. Following composer Jaham and music producer Ipung, Tarling is Darling explores the ambitions of a diverse group of people involved in this genre of music. It presents a discourse on the subject. While these people recruit new singers to perform on stage, Muslim clerics request that Jaham produce an Islamic version of Tarling Dangdut. Can strict, abstemious religious messages be delivered through erotic songs and performance? Tarling is Darling observes various aspects of this entertainment from the people's point of view, veering away from elitist and the religious leaders' negative attitudes towards the music and its stigma. Remaining neutral, the film has a humorous and ironic charm, largely thanks to the dynamism of the characters. Also, the director inspires viewers to question and think for themselves, rather than providing his own view on the morality of Tarling Dangdut. (Busan International Film Festival)