{{short description|Indonesian director and screenwriter}} {{use Australian English|date=March 2021}} {{use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Mouly Surya | image = {{CSS image crop |Image = Mouly Surya, Director of ‘What they Talk About Love’, Ruby Ruiz Actress ‘The Bit Player’, Maria Douza, Director of ‘The Tree’ and Swing Eleni Bertes interacting with the media on Women in films.jpg |bSize = 600 |cWidth = 200 |cHeight = 200 |oTop = 110 |oLeft = 400 |Location=center }} | caption = Mouly Surya in 2013 | birth_name = Nursita Mouly Surya | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|09|10|df=y}} | birth_place = Jakarta, Indonesia<ref name="Chinese Shadows">{{cite web|title=Mouly SURYA|url=https://www.chineseshadows.com/mouly-surya|agency=Chinese Shadows|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210212182732/https://www.chineseshadows.com/mouly-surya|archive-date=2021-02-12|access-date=2021-02-12|language=en}}</ref> | education = Media and Literature | alma_mater = Bond University<br>Swinburne University | spouse = Rama Adi (m. 2007) | other_names = | occupation = {{hlist|Director|screenwriter}} | years_active = 2007–present | known_for = | notable_works = }} '''Mouly Surya''' (born 10 September 1980)<ref name="Detik Hot">{{cite web|title=Mouly Surya: Film Adalah Hidup Saya|url=https://hot.detik.com/spotlight/d-3613073/mouly-surya-film-adalah-hidup-saya|author=Devy Octafiani|agency=Detik Hot|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210212182411/https://hot.detik.com/spotlight/d-3613073/mouly-surya-film-adalah-hidup-saya|archive-date=2021-02-12|date=2017-08-24|access-date=2021-02-12|language=id}}</ref> is an Indonesian film director and screenwriter.
Beginning her career as assistant director and screenwriter in local film productions, Surya rose to prominence in 2008 for her directorial debut the psychological thriller ''Fiksi.'' which won her the Citra Award for Best Director.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Nugraini |first=Galuh Esti |date=2018-12-10 |title=Ulang Sejarah di FFI 2018, Mouly Surya Ngaku Deja Vu - Berat Bawa Piala Citra|url=https://www.kapanlagi.com/showbiz/film/indonesia/ulang-sejarah-di-ffi-2018-mouly-surya-ngaku-deja-vu-berat-bawa-piala-citra-44e118.html|access-date=2024-08-06|website=KapanLagi.com|language=id}}</ref> She won a second Best Director award at the 38th Citra Award for ''Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts'' ten years after winning her first.<ref name=":0" /> She is the first woman director to win the award and, as of 2022, remains the only one to do so.
== Early life ==
Surya studied Media and Literature in Australia and earned a B. A. from Swinburne University and an M. A. from Bond University. While in Australia, she ran a blog and became online friends with then-unknown Raditya Dika who was studying in Adelaide and later became a collaborator in the film adaptation of his best-selling book ''Kambing Jantan''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Ketika Mouly Surya Bicara Tentang Filmnya dan Kemungkinan Gabung BCU - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kHQb6TCzJM|access-date=2021-02-01|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== 2007–2012: Debut, Cinesurya, and Citra Award for Best Director === Upon graduation, Surya came back to Indonesia and gained experience in the local film industry by working as assistant directors in Rako Prijanto's comedy-drama ''D'Bijis'' (2007) and romance ''Love Is Red'' (2007).<ref name=":1" /> While working on the latter, she met future husband Rama Adi, who was part of the film's cinematography department.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Djaya|first=Andi Baso|title=Pasutri sehati dalam film|url=https://lokadata.id/artikel/pasutri-sehati-dalam-film|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Lokadata.ID|language=id}}</ref>
In 2007, she acquired funding to direct ''Fiksi.'' based on a screenplay she developed herself.<ref name=":1" /> She and Adi decided to become collaborators and founded their own film production company Cinesurya.<ref name=":2" /> Based on the advice of Riri Riza, they decided to seek another collaborator who could bring more experience in shaping the screenplay, which turned out to be producer Tia Hasibuan and Joko Anwar.<ref name=":1" /> Anwar spent a month working on Surya's draft and was credited as a co-writer.<ref name=":1" />
In 2008, ''Fiksi.'' was released theatrically with Ladya Cheryl, Donny Alamsyah, and Kinaryosih in the starring roles.<ref>{{Citation|last=Surya|first=Mouly|title=Fiksi.|date=2008-06-19|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1239435/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_4|type=Thriller|others=Ladya Cheryl, Donny Alamsyah, Kinaryosih, Soultan Saladin|publisher=Cinesurya Productions|access-date=2021-02-01}}</ref> The film received critical acclaim, but failed commercially with only 30 thousand admissions.<ref name=":1" /> At the 28th Citra Awards, Surya made history by becoming the first woman to win Best Director since the award was first given in 1955.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=antaranews.com|date=2008-12-13|title=Pemenang Festival Film Indonesia 2008|url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/126796/pemenang-festival-film-indonesia-2008|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Antara News}}</ref> Overall, the film won four out of its ten nominations, the other three being Best Picture, Best Screenplay for Surya and Anwar, and Best Original Score.<ref name=":3" />
In 2009, Surya co-wrote the screenplay of ''Kambing Jantan: The Movie'' with Salman Aristo and friend Raditya Dika based on Dika's novel of the same name.<ref>{{Citation|title=Kambing Jantan (2009) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1385919/fullcredits|access-date=2021-02-01}}</ref>
=== 2013–2018: History at Sundance and second Citra Award for Best Director === In 2013, Surya wrote and directed her sophomore feature ''What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love''. In January, the film made history as the first Indonesian film to compete at the Sundance Film Festival of that year in the World Dramatic Competition, where it also had its world premiere.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rombongan "What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love" Disambut Hangat di Sundance Film Festival 2013|url=https://archive.tabloidbintang.com/berita/gosip/62486-rombongan-what-they-don-t-talk-about-when-they-talk-about-love-disambut-hangat-di-sundance-film-festival-2013.html|access-date=2021-02-01|website=archive.tabloidbintang.com}}</ref> Domestically, the film was released in May 2013. It stars Nicholas Saputra and Ayushita in the starring roles.<ref>{{Citation|last=Surya|first=Mouly|title=Yang tidak dibicarakan ketika membicarakan cinta|date=2013-01-19|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2551500/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_3|type=Drama, Romance|others=Nicholas Saputra, Ayushita, Karina Salim, Anggun Priambodo|access-date=2021-02-01}}</ref> The film is a romantic drama involving characters with different types of disabilities.<ref>{{Citation|last=Surya|first=Mouly|title=Yang tidak dibicarakan ketika membicarakan cinta|date=2013-01-19|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2551500/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt|type=Drama, Romance|others=Nicholas Saputra, Ayushita, Karina Salim, Anggun Priambodo|access-date=2021-02-01}}</ref> The film performed poorly at the box office but received positive reviews from critics, with ''The Hollywood Reporter''<nowiki/>'s Duane Byrge calling it a "touching and brilliantly envisioned story of a young, nearly blind teen's first love."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Byrge|first=Duane|date=|title=What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love|url=http://feed.hollywoodreporter.com/~r/thr/film/~3/BQp2dzJH-pg/story01.htm|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-02-01|website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
Surya then released her third feature film ''Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts'' in 2017. It premiered at the Directors' Fortnight event of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival in May before receiving a domestic release later in November.<ref>{{Citation|title=Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2017) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5923026/releaseinfo|access-date=2021-02-01}}</ref> A revenge drama-thriller, the film was only the fourth Indonesian film ever to make the festival's official selection after Eros Djarot's ''Tjoet Nja' Dhien'' and Garin Nugroho's ''Leaf on a Pillow'' in 1998 as well as Nugroho's ''Serambi'' in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-29|title=Indonesia's "Marlina" Debuts at Cannes|url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/id/pursuits/indonesias-marlina-debuts-at-cannes/|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Prestige Online - Indonesia|language=en-US}}</ref> While Surya co-wrote the screenplay with husband and collaborator Rama Adi, Garin Nugroho is credited with the original story, which he shared with Surya while they were part of a Citra Award jury panel.<ref name=":1" /> Marsha Timothy stars as a young widow who is raped and violated by local thugs and sets out to take revenge on her attackers.<ref>{{Citation|title=Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (2017)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/marlina_the_murderer_in_four_acts|language=en|access-date=2021-02-01}}</ref>
In a review for ''Variety'' following its Cannes screening, Maggie Lee gave the film a rave review, praising Surya's ability to "build nail-biting tension" with a climax that "rivals any of [Quentin] Tarantino's high concept violence".<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Maggie|date=2017-05-26|title=Film Review: 'Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts'|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/marlina-the-murder-in-four-acts-review-1202446324/|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> Lee's description of the film as having "pioneered a new genre" coined the term "satay Western" in reference to the film's Western style but told from a female perspective while incorporating Indonesia's traditional values.<ref name=":4" /> The term "satay Western" has since been used in multiple media coverage of the film.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Satay Western 'Marlina the Murderer' to Represent Indonesia at the Oscars|url=https://jakartaglobe.id/lifestyle/satay-western-marlina-the-murderer-to-represent-indonesia-at-the-oscars|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Jakarta Globe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-09-26|title=JPNN|url=https://www.jpnn.com/news/film-indonesia-ini-disebut-melahirkan-genre-satay-westren|access-date=2021-02-01|website=www.jpnn.com|language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Saraswati|first=Dyah Paramita|title=Mengulik Genre Satay Western di 'Marlina si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak'|url=https://hot.detik.com/movie/d-3721133/mengulik-genre-satay-western-di-marlina-si-pembunuh-dalam-empat-babak|access-date=2021-02-01|website=detikhot|language=id-ID}}</ref>
At the 38th Citra Awards the following year, ''Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts'' received 15 nominations, breaking Teguh Karya's ''Mother'''s record of the most nominations received by a film ever with 10 in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Film Marlina si Pembunuh Dalam Empat Babak Tercatat sebagai Peraih Nominasi Terbanyak di FFI 2018|url=https://www.tribunnews.com/seleb/2018/11/10/film-marlina-si-pembunuh-dalam-empat-babak-menjadi-peraih-nominasi-terbanyak-di-ffi-2018|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Tribunnews.com|language=id-ID}}</ref> The record was later broken by Joko Anwar's ''Impetigore'' which received 17 nominations in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Perempuan Tanah Jahanam' dominates 2020 FFI Awards with 17 nods|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/11/09/perempuan-tanah-jahanam-dominates-2020-ffi-awards-with-17-nods.html|access-date=2021-02-01|website=The Jakarta Post|language=en}}</ref> It went on to win 10 awards, including Best Picture, a second Best Director for Surya, Best Actress for Marsha Timothy, Best Supporting Actress for Dea Panendra, and Best Original Screenplay for Surya and Adi.<ref>{{Cite web|last=antaranews.com|date=2018-12-09|title=Daftar lengkap pemenang Piala Citra FFI 2018|url=https://www.antaranews.com/berita/776260/daftar-lengkap-pemenang-piala-citra-ffi-2018|access-date=2021-02-01|website=Antara News}}</ref> The film was selected as Indonesia's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 91st Academy Awards, but failed to get a nomination.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Marlina Gagal Masuk Nominasi Piala Oscar 2019|url=https://www.kincir.com/movie/cinema/marlina-gagal-nominasi-oscar-2019|access-date=2021-02-01|website=kincir.com|language=id}}</ref>
In July 2018, Surya released a short music film ''We See You Jakarta'' on the YouTube channel of the English indie pop band The xx.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The XX Luncurkan Film Pendek Karya Sutradara Tanah Air, Mouly Surya|url=https://kumparan.com/millennial/the-xx-luncurkan-film-pendek-karya-sutradara-tanah-air-mouly-surya-21dM5TZPGr|access-date=2021-02-06|website=kumparan|language=id-ID}}</ref> The film features footage from the band's I See You Tour as well as rearranged music performed by the film's cast.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The xx – We See You Jakarta - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROPktuVDQIg|access-date=2021-02-06|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
=== 2019–present: Upcoming projects and international breakthrough === In late 2019, Surya began production on an adaptation of Mochtar Lubis' novel ''A Road with no End'', something Surya mentioned is a dream project for her.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2020-06-21|title=Alasan Mouly Surya Adaptasi Novel Mochtar Lubis|url=https://republika.co.id/share/qc99ty463|access-date=2021-02-06|website=Republika Online|language=id}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ketika Mouly Surya Bicara Tentang Filmnya dan Kemungkinan Gabung BCU - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kHQb6TCzJM&t=430s|access-date=2021-02-06|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The film, titled ''This City Is a Battlefield'', is a war drama set in 1946 just after Indonesia's independence the previous year.<ref name=":7" />
Commissioned by the Singapore International Film Festival and produced by Cinesurya, Surya's short film ''Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue'' was released in March 2020.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=Film Pendek - SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED AND BLUE (Ayushita dan Christine Hakim) - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn5Coc2-5JM|access-date=2021-02-06|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The film stars Ayushita and veteran actress Christine Hakim.<ref name=":6" /> Another short, titled ''Doll'', premiered the following month on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web|title=doll (SHORT FILM) written and directed by Mouly Surya - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxTBhFp2N4c|access-date=2021-02-06|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The film was made while Surya was a student in Australia and contains dialogue in English.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rama Adi dengan Mouly Surya bicara tentang "doll" film pendek tugas Mouly dulu waktu di sekolah film - YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om-R-JIOx3M|access-date=2021-02-06|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
In May 2020, Netflix announced that Surya will helm the action-thriller film ''Trigger Warning'' with a screenplay by Josh Olson (known for David Cronenberg's ''A History of Violence'') and John Brancato (known for David Fincher's ''The Game'').<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Mouly Surya to helm Netflix action thriller starring Jessica Alba|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/05/16/mouly-surya-to-helm-netflix-action-thriller-starring-jessica-alba.html|access-date=2021-02-01|website=The Jakarta Post|language=en}}</ref> Jessica Alba stars as a PTSD afflicted former service-member who inherits her grandfather's bar and soon discovers the truth behind his death.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cerita Soal Film Trigger Warning yang Dibintangi Jessica Alba, Mouly Surya: Target Syuting Awalnya Tahun Ini, Tapi.... - Semua Halaman - Grid.ID|url=https://www.grid.id/read/042201992/cerita-soal-film-trigger-warning-yang-dibintangi-jessica-alba-mouly-surya-target-syuting-awalnya-tahun-ini-tapi?page=all|access-date=2021-02-01|website=www.grid.id|language=id}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Surya is married to Rama Adi, who co-founded their production company Cinesurya and has been involved in her first three films.<ref name=":2" /> They won a Citra Award together in 2018 for co-writing ''Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts''.<ref name=":2" />
==Filmography== '''Film''' {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! width="65" |Director ! width="65" |Writer |- | 2008 | ''Fiksi.'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2009 | ''Kambing Jantan: The Movie'' | {{no}} | {{yes}} |- | 2013 | ''What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2017 | ''Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2024 | ''Trigger Warning'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} |- | 2025 | ''This City Is a Battlefield''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/rotterdam-2025-unveils-opening-and-closing-films/5199988.article |title=Rotterdam 2025 unveils opening and closing films|first=Livia |last=Sasso|work=Screen International|date=10 December 2024|access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref> | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |}
'''Short film''' {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! width="65" |Director ! width="65" |Writer ! Producer |- | 2018 | ''We See You Jakarta'' | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} |- |rowspan=2|2020 | ''Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} |- | ''Doll'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |}
== Awards and nominations == {{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Mouly Surya}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Mouly Surya}} {{Citra Award for Best Director}} {{Maya Award for Best Director}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Surya, Mouly}} Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:Citra Award winners Category:Indonesian film directors Category:Indonesian women film directors Category:Swinburne University of Technology alumni Category:Bond University alumni