Telegram
(Telegram)

Daku is a young Balinese bachetor who works in Jakarta as a reporter. He has relationship with Rosa, a young woman who has been forced into prostitution by poverty. In addition he takes care of Sinta, an adopted daughter aged eleven. Daku’s mother is ill and when she dies, he will have to return to Bali as the eldest son to arrange a traditional funeral with Hindu rituals, a very expensive event that can drag on for years. Such a forced return to Bali would mean the end of his life and carreer in Jakarta, for which he has fought so hard as a second-class citizen. He will have to leave Sinta behind in Jakarta and end his relationship with Rosa. When his daughter hands him a telegram from Bali one day, he doesn’t want to open it. The closed envelope stays lying on a table. Daku seeks refuge in a lie. He lies to his daughter and to himself, until he is no Ionger able to distinguish lies and truth.