The film “The Sun Gazer: Love from the Sky” features no antagonist characters yet still contains conflict.
This drama, romance, and religious film stars Mario Irwinsyah as Mogayer, Ratu Anandita as Asiyah (As), and Revalina S. Temat as Aisyah (Is).
The film is adapted from the true story novel “Sang Penatap Matahari” by an Indonesian Islamic economics and finance figure.
The Sun Gazer: Love from the Sky premiered on Thursday, August 21, 2025 in cinemas across Indonesia, but was pulled from many screens just a week later despite growing public demand for group viewings.
Many suspect the film wasn’t given adequate screening time and space by domestic cinema chains because its content discusses the dangers of usury, the proliferation of online loans and gambling in society, and explores Islamic economics, finance, and cooperatives.
On the first and second days of screening, audiences flocked to watch it, but by the third and fourth days, many cinema chains had already removed the film from their screens.
The essence of this drama, romance, and religious film, wrapped lightly with Islamic family and economic principles, differs significantly from typical household dramas that always feature villainous characters in domestic relationships.
Yet The Sun Gazer appears without any antagonist roles. All characters are portrayed as protagonists full of goodness, yet conflicts still exist within the story.
The absence of antagonist characters actually becomes this film’s unique feature.
“Most dramas talk about winning and losing, or who’s wrong and right. But The Sun Gazer is different. It’s about selfless love. That’s what makes the story touching,” said one cast member.
One of the biggest attractions of The Sun Gazer: Love from the Sky is the fact that the story is based on true events. Approximately 80% of the plot follows the real-life experiences of the actual figures, while the remaining 20% is dramatized for cinematic purposes.
The film begins with the story of an Indonesian Islamic economics figure whose marriage ends due to childlessness issues. Though painful, the couple chooses to separate amicably while maintaining a good relationship.
From this foundation, The Sun Gazer presents realistic family drama while creating space for reflection among viewers from various backgrounds, all beautifully wrapped in Islamic economics and finance themes.
One actress expressed increased confidence in taking her role after meeting the real-life person portrayed in the novel.
“I saw firsthand how patient and sincere she was. If I were in that position, I might not be able to endure. But she kept moving forward. That’s what amazed me,” she said.
The fact that the film originates from a true story makes its message feel more profound. Audiences aren’t just watching fictional drama but also a portrait of life that actually happened.
Shouldn’t a film with such excellent narrative for a nation facing difficulties be given better opportunity to be watched and serve as guidance for domestic film enthusiasts?
It feels unfair for those of us still eagerly waiting for domestic films with good narratives that can influence viewers with guidance toward goodness, especially films based on actual reality.
The Sun Gazer: Love from the Sky deserves to be watched by genuine audiences, not just by cinemas where seats are massively purchased by certain parties without actually being watched to create false impression of high public demand.
Currently, the executive producers, director, other producers, along with the entire cast and crew continue efforts to book cinema studios for free group screenings funded by donations.
There are also numerous paid group screening initiatives where viewers contribute to support and help boost public enthusiasm for watching this film.
Fans can follow the film’s developments through its social media channels.
May many parties be inspired by this excellently narrated film to help improve Indonesia during these challenging times.
In this context, there’s one Quranic verse that’s highly relevant and presented with excellent narration at the beginning of the film: Surah Ar-Ra’d Verse 11.
The meaning of the verse is: For each person there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah. Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.
