This City Is a Battlefield

This City Is a Battlefield (Indonesian: Perang Kota, Dutch: Djakarta 1946) is a 2025 Indonesian war drama film written and directed by Mouly Surya.^[1] The film is adaptation of Jalan Tak Ada Ujung by Mochtar Lubis and is set in 1946, a year after Indonesia proclaimed independence from Dutch and Japanese occupation.^[2] The film served as the closing film of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam on 8 February 2025, followed by a theatrical release in Indonesia on 30 April 2025.

This City Is a Battlefield
Theatrical release poster
Indonesian	Perang Kota
Directed by	Mouly Surya
Written by	Mouly Surya
Based on	A Road with No End by Mochtar Lubis
Produced by	Rama Adi Fauzan Zidni Chand Parwez Servia Tutut Kolopaking
Starring	Chicco Jerikho Ariel Tatum Jerome Kurnia
Cinematography	Roy Lolang
Edited by	Rama Adi Isabelle Glachant Natalie Soh Mouly Surya Luqman Thalib Robert Grigsby Wilson
Music by	Zeke Khaseli Yudhi Arfani
Production companies	Cinesurya Starvision Plus Kaninga Pictures
Release dates	8 February 2025 (2025-02-08) (Rotterdam) 30 April 2025 (2025-04-30) (Indonesia)
Running time	119 minutes
Countries	Indonesia Netherlands Singapore France Norway Philippines Cambodia
Language	Indonesian

Synopsis

Set in Jakarta in 1946, Isa, a 35-year-old former fighter and a violinist, is now an elementary school teacher. His service during the war for independence leaves him with a reputation as a seasoned soldier. His trauma, however, leaves him with impotence.^[1]

Cast

• Chicco Jerikho as Isa
• Ariel Tatum as Fatimah
• Jerome Kurnia as Hazil
• Rukman Rosadi as Kamaruddin
• Imelda Therinne as Mayang
• Faiz Vishal as Rakhmat
• Anggun Priambodo as Semedi
• Indra Birowo as Abdullah
• Alex Abbad as Tentara Sepoy
• Dea Panendra as Panca Tirta's wife
• Ar Barrani Lintang as Salim
• Chew Kin Wah as Baba Tan
• Sheila Kusnadi as Baba Tan's daughter

Production

The film marks Mouly Surya's first project that is based on an existing material. To fund the project, Surya sought funding from several sources, such as the Hubert Bals Fund, who also funded her sophomore release What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love in 2013.^[2] Additionally, Bangkok-based Purin Pictures also announced in 2020 that they selected the project to receive a US$30,000 production grant.^[1]

Release

This City Is a Battlefield began production in late 2019 and was set for a 2020 release.^[3] However, it was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[1][3] In March 2021, Surya stated on Twitter that the film is likely to be pushed back due to the COVID-19 situation.^[4]

The film had its world premiere as the closing film of the 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam on 8 February 2025.^[5][6] On 30 April 2025, it was released theatrically in Indonesia.^[7]

The film is also selected at the 24th New York Asian Film Festival to be held from July 11 to July 27, 2025 for its North American Premiere.^[8]