JAKARTA – Families pass down more than just names, houses, or material possessions. They also inherit memories, secrets, unresolved wounds, and decisions from the past that can quietly shape the lives of future generations.

This complex emotional legacy lies at the heart of Yang Datang dan Yang Pergi, the latest film starring Indonesian actress Dian Sastrowardoyo, which has begun revealing its story through its official trailer.

Directed by Nurman Hakim and Nan Achnas, the film goes beyond a conventional romantic drama. It explores family ties, the weight of inherited histories, and a woman’s struggle to take control of her own future.

Dian plays Sinta, while Roy Sungkono portrays Banawan, her childhood friend who unexpectedly reenters her life years later, when they are both adults.

At the center of the story is an old family guesthouse owned by Sinta’s family. More than just a place to stay, the building holds layers of memories and secrets left behind by the people who have come and gone. Each visitor brings their own hopes, love stories, and betrayals, leaving traces that continue to affect Sinta and her family.

The narrative unfolds across three different periods: 1965, 1999, and 2026. Through these shifting timelines, the film examines how the experiences, choices, and unresolved conflicts of one generation can continue to influence the next.

Breaking Free from the Past

Director and screenwriter Nurman Hakim says the film explores how the past shapes individuals and how a woman confronts the legacy she has inherited while finding the courage to shape her own future.

Every generation, he suggests, receives a story from the one before it. But inheriting that story does not mean being destined to repeat the same ending.

This idea forms one of the film’s central themes. Family conflicts are not simply problems waiting to be resolved. They also create an opportunity for each generation to decide what deserves to be preserved and what should finally be left behind.

Co-director Nan Achnas highlights another important dimension of the story: a woman’s right to determine her own path in life.

Through Sinta’s journey, the film portrays a woman caught between the weight of family history and the freedom to make her own choices. Her past may shape her identity, but it does not have to dictate her future.

Dian Sastrowardoyo shares a similar perspective on her character. For her, Sinta is not merely someone who receives and carries on her family’s legacy. She is an individual with the freedom and agency to decide what happens next.

The character, Dian believes, reflects the experiences of many women who must navigate expectations, personal struggles, and the desire to take charge of their own lives.

When First Love Meets the Weight of Family History

While family secrets and generational conflicts drive the broader narrative, the relationship between Sinta and Banawan adds an intimate romantic dimension to the film.

Banawan is Sinta’s childhood friend who returns after years apart. Their reunion brings back old memories and opens the door to a relationship that may develop into something more.

The film also marks the first time Dian Sastrowardoyo and Roy Sungkono have appeared together as a romantic couple on the big screen.

Roy describes Banawan as someone from Sinta’s past who returns at a time when their lives have already changed. The old family guesthouse becomes a meeting point between past and present, offering a glimpse into how family history can shape the lives of those who come after.

Rather than presenting romance as the film’s only focus, their relationship becomes part of a much larger emotional landscape, where memories, personal choices, and family secrets intersect.

A Reunion Between Dian Sastrowardoyo and Acclaimed Filmmakers

Yang Datang dan Yang Pergi also brings Dian Sastrowardoyo back together with two filmmakers with whom she has previously collaborated.

Dian reunites with Nurman Hakim following their work together on 3 Doa 3 Cinta (2008). She also works with Nan Achnas again, 25 years after their collaboration on Pasir Berbisik (2001).

The film features an ensemble cast that includes Dimas Aditya, David Ari Wibowo, and Retno Soetarto. Dimas also reunites with Nurman Hakim after previously working together on Bid’ah Cinta (2017).

Written, directed, and produced by Nurman Hakim and Nan Achnas, Yang Datang dan Yang Pergi is scheduled to premiere in Indonesian cinemas on December 3, 2026.

With its blend of romance, family secrets, and conflicts spanning three generations, the film invites audiences to reflect on a deeply personal question: Are we destined to inherit every chapter of our family’s past, or do we have the right to write a different story for ourselves?