In 1998 a deep political and economic crisis forced President Suharto to resign after 32 years in power. This was the beginning of the tumultuous period known in Indonesia as the Reformasi. With a population of 200 million, Indonesia has seen ongoing political change, accompanied by protests, poverty and general insecurity. The Eye of the Day documents these conflicts as they play out in the lives of sixty-year-old Rumijah, her two sons Bakti and Dwi, and her friend Ibu Sum. In the cinéma vérité tradition, filmmaker Helmrich creates this cinematographic feast for the eyes while capturing the trials and tribulations of everyday life in Indonesia today. While filming a demonstration in 1995, Helmrich was arrested and jailed as a suspected spy, then declared persona non grata. He was not able to return to Indonesia until 1997 - that same year he began following Rumijah and her family with his camera.

We encourage presenters to print and copy the packet below with the film's synopsis, an article on the film,
a viewer's guide about the film, and an interview with the director for their audiences (rtf doc)

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