Watch Bu Tejo Sowan Jakarta trailer here!
Clock Work Films, alongside 786 Production and Rumpi Entertainment, collaborates on the film “Mrs. Tejo’s Visit to Jakarta,” (Bu Tejo Sowan Jakarta) hitting theaters nationwide on January 18, 2024. A comedy genre, this film explores the theme of intercultural marriage, deeply intertwined with cultural diversity. Moral messages about love, family, community, and togetherness are wrapped into a complete comedic package in “Mrs. Tejo’s Visit to Jakarta.”
You may already be acquainted with the character of Mrs. Tejo, portrayed by Siti Fauziah, as she previously played a similar role (Mrs. Tejo) in the WeTV Original “Tilik the Series.” Siti Fauziah’s quick-wittedness, thick Javanese accent, and infamous tendency to get angry are sure to entertain audiences, especially with the uproarious scenes featuring the gossiping housewives.
“Mrs. Tejo’s Visit to Jakarta” (Bu Tejo Sowan Jakarta): Marriage is a Wonderful Thing, but Different Cultures, Still Up for a Challenge?
While not everyone, some still believe that two people intending to marry should come from the same culture and race. The reasons vary—ranging from upholding what has become a tradition within the extended family to the belief that certain cultures are incompatible when combined with others.
But the question remains, marriage is a good thing, but when it involves different cultures, are you sure you want to swim against the tide? This dilemma unfolds in “Mrs. Tejo’s Visit to Jakarta,” a story where intercultural marriage remains somewhat perplexing.
Exploring the themes of marriage and cultural diversity, the story of “Mrs. Tejo’s Visit to Jakarta” begins with a gathering of housewives at Mrs. Tejo’s home. During this gathering, Mrs. Tejo and her friends discuss an upcoming outing with the villagers, eagerly anticipated and planned for the end of the month.
Amidst the excitement of Mrs. Tejo and the gossiping housewives discussing the outing and gossiping, Teddy, Mrs. Tejo’s eldest son returns from living in Jakarta. Seeing Teddy, Mrs. Tejo immediately fires off the question, “When are you getting married?” but Teddy waits for the right moment to express his feelings about his impending marriage.
After the gathering of gossiping housewives leaves Mrs. Tejo’s home, Teddy reveals his plan to propose to his girlfriend, Vanessa. Hearing this news fills Mrs. Tejo’s heart with joy. Unfortunately, trouble arises when Teddy reveals Vannesa’s ethnicity: Chinese.
Mrs. Tejo vehemently opposes Teddy’s marriage to Vanessa due to cultural and racial differences, feeling ashamed to face the neighbors if they find out the truth—that Teddy will not marry a bride from the Javanese culture and race. On the other hand, Teddy insists on marrying Vannesa. Unexpectedly, the debate between Mrs. Tejo and Teddy is overheard by the gossiping housewives.
The planned outing by the gossiping housewives at Mrs. Tejo’s home is canceled because Mrs. Tejo plans to visit Jakarta to accompany Teddy in proposing to his girlfriend, Vannesa. Reluctantly, Mrs. Tejo must visit Jakarta along with the gossiping housewives to uphold her reputation in front of the villagers.
However, before departing for Jakarta, Mrs. Tejo comes up with a mischievous idea: to sabotage Teddy’s proposed journey in Jakarta. Mrs. Tejo does this hoping to cancel Teddy and Vannesa’s marriage. Mrs. Tejo goes to great lengths—starting from making the housewives on the bus drink plenty of mineral water to keep them constantly needing to use the restroom and prolonging the journey, to distracting the driver’s attention from driving.
That’s Mrs. Tejo’s trick to cancel Teddy and Vanessa’s marriage due to her disapproval of having a Chinese descendant as a future daughter-in-law.
From the trailer of “Mrs. Tejo’s Visit to Jakarta,” it’s evident that cultural diversity between Chinese and Javanese cultures is neatly packaged into a fresh comedy by the director, Andibachtiar Yusuf. This film also serves as an example of cinematic work depicting societal conditions from past to present, especially when intercultural marriage becomes a problematic issue.
Behind the seemingly taboo cultural diversity associated with marriage, “Mrs. Tejo’s Visit to Jakarta” holds various positive meanings to be learned. Will Teddy marry Vannesa and receive blessings from both families or will it be the opposite due to the challenges of intercultural marriage? All of this can be discovered by watching Bu Tejo Sowan Jakarta in your theaters.
