Ave Maryam

Ave Maryam (2019)

A devoted nun who cares for her elder sisters must choose between upholding her vows or pursuing her forbidden feelings for a fascinating pastor.

Date of release
2019-04-11
TMDB
6.2 / 10 (10)
Runtime
1h 14m
Genres
Drama, Romance
Director
Razka Robby Ertanto

Casting

Interesting facts

  • Filmed in: Indonesia

Ave Maryam, initially titled Salt Is Leaving the Sea, is a 2018 Indonesian romantic drama film written, directed, and produced by Ertanto Robby Soediskam. Starring Maudy Koesnaedi, Chicco Jerikho, Tutie Kirana, Olga Lydia, Joko Anwar, and Nathania Angela, it concerns a forbidden romantic relationship between a Roman Catholic religious sister and her pastor. Made under the sentiment of the lack of non-Muslim films in Indonesia, the film was shot for nine days in 2016, and features a soundtrack by Aimee Saras.

Production

Ave Maryam, which is based upon real-life events, was initially titled Salt is Leaving the Sea (Indonesian: Garam Meninggalkan Lautnya). The title was changed to Ave Maryam, a blend of "Ave Maria" and "Maryam," Maryam being Arabic form of Maria.

Before starting production, the film's crew sent letters seeking approval to related organizations, including the Semarang diocese, realizing the Indonesian public might interpret its theme as sensitive. Director, writer, and producer Ertanto Roby Soediskam said he was ready to face any controversy, saying; "We made the film honestly, so we are ready to bear that risk".

After receiving approval, principal photography began in Semarang and Yogyakarta on 26 November, 2016, and ended nine days later. The equipment for the film was borrowed. As a noncommercial project, the crew would not receive any portion of the box office revenue because of the film's goal of "coloring" the cinema of Indonesia. Ertanto insisted the film would not have any form of follow-up.

Maudy Koesnaedi initially declined to be part of the film but Ertano persuaded her. Koesnaedi became ill during filming, causing a pause in production. Her husband Erik Meijer permitted her to be involved in the project "if it could cure her sickness" but she was still ill during principal photography. Preparing for her challenging role, Maudy met with senior nuns and observed their daily lives. Maryam is Maudy first major film role.

Ave Maryam's soundtrack was sung by jazz singer Aimee Saras. The gospel song for the end credits is titled "Sacred Heart" and is based on the eponymous Catholic devotion. Inspiration for the song came from the music of Lana Del Rey. The Christian hymns "O Holy Night", "Gloria in excelsis Deo", and "How Great Thou Art" are also heard in Ave Maryam.

Read on Wikipedia · Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Data from Wikidata.

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