Terbang: Menembus Langit

SURABAYA, beginning 1998

I brought your mother to this country,

because this land is the land of dream...

But, I only work for other people

I want...

my children to accomplish more than me.

Education observers regrets

the shutting down of Chinese schools by the government.

Tarakan, years before...

This is not a wise decision

Dissolution of these Chinese schools...

is the impact of the three pillars of politics.

It consists of education,

banning the use of Chinese language,

and dissolution of Chinese Indonesian associations.

Sir... Mr. Tju Moi.

Sir, please help me!

Hey!

Sir .. It's dangerous.

Sir, it's a nation matters. Only you can help me!

We must close the shop!

Alright!

It's a good thing that I walked pass here, If not they must have been fighting now.

Everything OK?

May peace be upon you...

May peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

Mr. Odang, from Bugis.

Mr. Yamod, from Tidung.

Whoever can finish the questions well and good, you may go home early.

- I am done, Sir. - Yes, you may leave.

Those tied with rubber band you can place it that basket...

Yes, Mom.

We will sell it at the market…

Here you go, Mom.

There're plenty of vegetables here.

Come on, let's tie them up.

- Hi Mom... - Hi Li.

Why are you home early, Li?

Were you having trouble with the Teacher?

Ali, you know what happen if your father finds out, right?

Don't worry Mom, chill out...

Your little brother Achun, where is he?

I haven't seen him.

- Hi Dear... - Hi Hubby.

Hi Dad...

This afternoon,

There were this Bugis and Tidung men,

They were having a quarrel due to a language barrier.

But Mr. Yamod, that man from Tidung,

he misunderstood Mr. Odang.

He thought Mr. Odang was furious

with him because of the word "Jambang".

But, in Bugis language it means "shit".

What does it mean?

"Shit".

Which means,

the importance of the language of unity should be…?

Indonesia!

Who's not here?

Achun!

We only start eating when…

- Everyone's here! - Good!

What happened to you Chun?

There's a ghost...

There are no such thing as ghosts,

come sit down and let's have dinner...

- We've been waiting for you... - Let's eat!

Wait, no need to fight over...

I have prepared equally for everyone… one piece each …

Yes mother.

Chun, Amoy is looking for you!

Chun, Amoy is looking for you...

What are you looking at?

Thank you.

It's pay day, huh?

So what's the frown about?

Is this all?

I thought you're having a raise this month?

These all I got this month...

Even so, you won't say anything right?...

Why won't you say something to your Boss?

What will I say?

Just say anything...

Our family needs is increasing day by day...

the kids are growing,

they need more than food...

You have work for them for a long time...

can't you ask for more money?

This is not enough...

Forgive me…

please be patient...

What's going on Chun...?

Does school make us rich?

If we are smart, we can be anything we want Chun.

Dad, I wanna go to school...

What's up, Mom?

Your little brother, he wants to go to school.

Martin, to the right!

Excuse me, Sir.

Ali, you're still here?

I have a favor to ask, it's about my brother Achun.

Achun wait up...

You're not ready yet...

Mom, Dad, we're leaving.

This was your brother's Ali…

- Mom, we're going to the market now. - OK.

Looks good!

Li, wait me up...!

Ali, wait up...!

Hey, watch out!

Garuda Pancasila...

- Achun, Budi, are you done? - Not yet, Sir.

- This is the brother? - Yes, Sir.

- The brother is smart? - Yes, Sir.

- Who knows he's just like his brother, right? - Yes, Sir.

Martin...

Oh, so you're sleeping, Martin?

Martin wake up!

Martin, push!

Hit him! Hit him!

Martin!

Martin, Budi... you little rascals!

Where could those people be going…

Maybe to Surabaya…

I'll be moving to Surabaya for middle school…

come visit me Chun….

Chun…

what's up with you?

I want to continue my studies in Surabaya…

Surabaya, that's good…

I approve.

Really?

Yes.

Mom and Dad?

I am sure they will agree…

But I don't think they have the money for it.

Don't worry about it, ok…

Pass me the log.

Could you think it through …

Chun, your brothers and sisters are all married now .

You can help out around the house.

Help us out, Chun.

I'm alright…

please eat.

Students, please pay attention to this globe,

there's the Asia, Africa and America continents...

Our position is here in Tarakan…

What's your dream, Jo?

Be a famous film star, like Bruce Lee.

Can you make that happen if you keep staying here?

Well, I don't know.

Perhaps that's why people go to the Java island.

That's why I am curious to see the outside world.

Want some coconut?

- See you, Jo. - OK, Chun.

Here you go...

You too, there's plenty food for you.

Dad!

HELP!

HELP!

Daaad!

TARAKAN PUBLIC HOSPITAL

So here we are...

...it's the end of my time taking care each one of you...

Please remember,

my last message...

Whatever you do...

after I'm gone...

Please take good care of our family name...

You may leave in peace darling.

Go get your freedom...

Dad...

Surprise!

How did you get here?

I…

I... flew.

My heart is set.

I'm going to Surabaya.

Have you thought it through, Chun?

I did, I thought it through!

You know that...

Dad is no longer with us,

and this store is also quiet.

If I have to send money monthly to support you,

For how long Chun?

I can support myself!

That's not possible...

That's not possible!

cause we are Chinese.

Do you know that?!

We are Indonesians...

of Chinese descent.

I am a poor man

cannot afford to put you through school .

...the situation in this country

does not give you the opportunity

to be employed.

But still….I believe…

One day...

you will find your own path.