Miracle in Cell No. 7 is a 2022 Indonesian family drama film directed by Hanung Bramantyo^[1][2] based on 2013 South Korean film with the same name directed by Lee Hwan-kyung. The film, produced by Falcon Pictures, stars Vino G. Bastian, Graciella Abigail, and Indro.^[3][4] Miracle in Cell No. 7 was theatrically released in Indonesia on 8 September 2022.^[5]

Plot

Dodo Rozak is a 20-year-old balloon seller with an intellectual disability and father to his daughter, Ika Kartika. One day in 2002, he screamed when he saw Melati Wibisono's pet dog, the son of a customer, killed by being hit by a motorbike, but was misunderstood as the one who killed him. When Dodo tried to calm her down, Melati ran and tripped over a rope and fell into the swimming pool and died. Dodo used a stick to pull him out of the pool; because he couldn't reach it, he went into the pool and took Melati out, then took off his clothes, remembering his late wife Juwita's advice to take off wet clothes so she wouldn't catch a cold. Because the two maids arrived late, he was accused of murder and rape. Although Dodo tried to plead not guilty, the police pressured him to admit otherwise, and he became the subject of media attention.

Dodo was taken to a prison, where he was treated harshly by officers and the warden, Hendro Sanusi, because he was considered disobedient and backward. He was placed in cell number seven, which was already occupied by Japra "Forman" Effendi, Zaki, Yunus "Bewok", Atmo "Gepeng", and Asrul "Bule". They quickly become friends. Meanwhile, Kartika's school is invited to perform an Islamic performance for the prisoners; this opportunity is used to smuggle Kartika into the cell, according to Dodo's wishes. When caught, Dodo was taken to a remote cell, and Kartika to an orphanage. After being rescued by him during a fire, Hendro reconciles with Dodo and begins to see his naivety and sincerity in claiming his innocence. He returned Dodo to cell number seven, and allowed Kartika to come to the cell and took her to his house with his wife when outside permission hours.

Several months later, after gathering some concrete evidence, Hendro filed an appeal, but this coincided with the return of Melati's father, William, as governor, where he tightened child abuse laws, meaning Dodo's chances of leaving were slim. Hearing the chronology of events according to Dodo, Japra and friends composed sentences for Dodo to say in court, knowing that Dodo had difficulty conveying his thoughts with words. His lawyer, Ruslan, pressured him to answer that he had killed Melati or Kartika's life was in danger. On trial day, William approached Dodo and tore up his manuscript. Because of his "confession" he is scheduled to be executed. With a heavy heart all the prisoners and guards said goodbye and escorted him. Gradually, Kartika realized what had happened and her father's tears were never seen again.

In 2019, the adult Kartika invites Japra and friends who are now free to go to Dodo's final trial, because he is already a lawyer. After telling her side and supported by Hendro's testimony, she cried while confirming more evidence, especially that Melati's autopsy did not show physical or sexual violence. He also argues that many people with disabilities are already suffering like their father. In the end, Dodo was found not guilty. Out of the prison gate, Kartika saw her father fly out of the prison in a hot air balloon according to his dream to "fly" to meet his wife, a symbol of his absence.

Cast

Soundtrack

• "Andaikan Kau Datang" — Andmesh Kamaleng
• "Balon Udara" — Cast
• "I'tiraf" — T&T Children's Choir
• "Shalawat Nabiyah" — T&T Children's Choir

References