After waiting so long for Crocodile Tears to make its way around the world, I finally got the chance to watch this Best Picture nominee at the Indonesian Film Festival in theaters and at XXI too, damn. Feels like a privilege on its own. I really loved Mas Tumpal’s debut here. The film brings such a unique theme through its crocodile metaphor. Marissa Anita’s portrayal of an intimidating and overprotective single parent is incredibly creepy and unsettling, blurring the line between protection and extreme restriction, isolating her child from the outside world. It’s honestly a shame that Crocodile Tears had such a limited release in commercial theaters. Top-notch story. Top-notch directing. Top-notch acting. Great film.