The Forbidden Door

Plot

As a sculptor who is at the peak of his career exploiting the theme of pregnant women, Gambir (Fachri Albar) seems to have the perfect life. In addition to his successes, he also has a wife named Talyda (Marsha Timothy); an understanding mother (Henidar Amroe); his best friends Rio (Otto Djauhari) and Dandung (Ario Bayu); as well as a gallery owner that Gambir regards very much as his own father, Koh Jimmy (Tio Pakusadewo)

In success, horrible story hidden in it. First time Talyda an abortion, which used to be a sculptor Gambir still commonly given inspiration, motivation, and a little coercion by her fetus Talyda to enter into the abdomen of a pregnant statue. From then until married, Talyda make arrangements to Abortion Clinic owner to deliver a fetus that has been issued and stored clinic, then taken by Gambir who will incorporate it into the abdomen of the fetus of pregnant statue, according to him, that's why his sculptures can be seen live, because there is something that is supposed to live in it. Although Gambir really does not want, he eventually wants to compulsion Talyda that will determine the success of existing Gambir. From several scenes, ranging feel atmosphere between actual people to Gambir. Like when Koh Jimmy forced Gambir to make a sculpture exhibition pregnant again by threatening to tell the contents of the statue actually that used to be seen by Koh Jimmy on the first statue of Gambir.

Later in the life of Gambir which is now preparing for another exhibition, Gambir began seeing a post reads, "help me" which he met many around him. This makes it frustrating and over time grow something strange. When he was in the studio Gambir found behind a cupboard door to be opened by Talyda prohibited. Talyda stated that if the door was open so his feelings be destroyed and will make all things between them became extinct. Once on the road have the same writing, Gambir see the words "Herosase" under the words "help me" and this is where he is now, at Herosase building without knowing what the purpose or function of the building was constructed. A reception building (Atiqah Hasiholan) told him that in addition to members barred. After waiting outside, he met Dandung there and Dandung also invited to Gambir become a member Herosase.

Mona's mother, his manager explained Herosase information to become a member with the condition, there should be no question. Herosase said to be visited to find answers without questions. So, Gambir got a room with a selection of channels, revealing that Herosase is the place to know the movements of the occupants of the houses illegally installing cameras in every corner of the houses. From there he know a little boy who abused his parents, who were present when a few days ago Gambir see, then Gambir also trying to help her by watching his activities. After being told about the death of a small child Dandung it, Gambir became giddy and through the second exhibition of the sculpture pregnant unhappy.

After hearing rumors in the exhibition clandestinely, Gambir know if the little boy might still be alive. He immediately went to look for impressions Herosase and the little boy. When you find it, Gambir see the little boy took a knife in the kitchen and slit the throats of both parents, then slit his own throat. Gambir a shock to see the menu to the channel and find Talyda Saso name listed there. Gambir see it and find the facts behind the fact that he knows. It turned out that the mother told Talyda to have sex with friends Gambir, namely Rio and Dandung to get the child after it turned out that Talyda not want to have children of Gambir. Talyda also been wooing convince Koh Jimmy to act when Gambir who first did not want to make a statue of a pregnant woman again.

Gambir also preparing retaliatory pretext mode closest invite everyone at the dinner welcome Christmas Day. At dinner, Gambir insert a poison into the wine served with meals. Pit poison called Devilish it makes those who drink paralyzed for ten minutes and only get to see and hear just about everything. Begin executing Gambir, Koh Jimmy, Rio and Dandung the way his neck was slashed. Then she buried her face into a large bowl of soup and for Talyda, Gambir shoot his head. Before he died Talyda the influence of the poison began to disappear say the forbidden door. Gambir back door questioning it and break it entered. Without realizing it, the studio behind it has changed its background dark alley.

Gambir also see that the whole room turned out to be the home of the little boy who abused it. He saw the bodies of the mother whose face was the same as the mother Gambir, then that Gambir aware that the world "Gambir and Talyda" is a mere imagination. Gambir back to the actual place, a ward in a mental hospital. Small children who have been seen are pieces of childhood Gambir and before he slit his own throat first, the police came to his house. Gambir who live in solitude became frustrated and become a better person in his own world, escape from the cruel reality of the world. Results mind became a sculptor is thanks to a journalist named Ranti who provide books and magazines as the media's imagination Gambir. Gambir presented Ranti a position in his imagination, is as Talyda. Dandung, Rio, Koh Jimmy, and other figures are the mental hospital administrators, and used as a character in Gambir imagination. At the end of the film, Gambir is now re-imagining himself as a pastor who handles a church.

After the credits finished running, Ranti calls her office to report that she has finished writing her article. The camera moves away and reveals that the name of the mental hospital is Herosase.

Cast

Soundtrack

Original Soundtrack consist of 18 tracks divided into two parts, one part as band performer and another one as musical score. The score was filled by Mondo of Sore, Zeke Khaseli of Zeke and the Popo, Tika, Notturno, and Mantra band.

Reviews

Bloody Disgusting's John Leal rated the film 8 out of 10 and wrote in his page; "Overall, The Forbidden Door is a highly recommended Indonesian effort whose storyline gives us a very unique experience that comes well written and with plenty of horror to offset and in fact compliment the drama. Anwar’s direction is equally amazing, giving us a full-frontal approach to the well-executed horror sequences that set this film apart from most of what I have seen in recent time".

Twitch Film's Ard Vijn said in his page that; "Joko Anwar wants to keep his movies accessible for the general public while telling them an outrageous story at the same time, and like with "Kala" it's amazing how well he succeeds. "The Forbidden Door" looks gorgeous (despite its budget!) and jumps effortlessly from genre to genre without alienating its audience." Ard Vijn also wrote in his page that the audience at the IFFR awarded "The Forbidden Door" a very respectable 4.0 out of 5 so maybe people are used to a lot more gore than I expected...

In 2009 at the New York Asian Film Festival, the film was described as a "19th century gothic novel adapted by Alfred Hitchcock and directed by David Lynch" and "one of the sickest, kinkiest movies".