Broken Wings (2022)
Story overview
Broken Wings (2022) is an Indonesian drama-thriller based on a real-life terrorist attack in 2018 at the Mobile Brigade Command Headquarters in Depok. The film depicts terrorists attempting to break into a detention center, resulting in the deaths of five members of the elite counter-terrorism unit Densus 88. Directed by Rudi Soedjarwo, it stars Nicholas Saputra, Ariel Tatum, Poppy Sovia, Iwa K, and Nugie, focusing on themes of terrorism, security, and national resilience.
Parent Guide
A tense thriller based on real terrorist events with strong violence and mature themes. Not suitable for young children due to realistic depictions of terrorism and fatalities.
Content breakdown
Graphic depictions of terrorist attacks, gun violence, explosions, and multiple fatalities. Intense sequences of peril and combat situations. Realistic portrayal of counter-terrorism operations with casualties.
Terrorist attacks, hostage situations, and violent deaths are central to the plot. The realistic nature based on actual events may be particularly disturbing. High tension and suspense throughout.
May contain some strong language in tense situations, but primary focus is on action and drama rather than dialogue.
No sexual content or nudity present. Film focuses entirely on the terrorist attack and security response.
No depiction of substance use. Characters are focused on the crisis situation.
High emotional intensity due to life-and-death situations, terrorism themes, and realistic portrayal of violence. Themes of sacrifice, fear, and national security create sustained tension.
Parent tips
This film contains intense sequences of terrorism, violence, and peril that may be disturbing for younger viewers. It's based on real events involving terrorist attacks and fatalities. Recommended for mature audiences due to its realistic portrayal of violence and high-stakes situations. Parents should preview or watch with children to provide context and support.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
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- What do you think the police were trying to do in the movie?
- How did the characters show bravery?
- Why do you think terrorists attack places like this?
- What does this movie teach us about real-world safety?
- How do movies about real events differ from fictional stories?
- How does this film handle the ethical complexities of counter-terrorism?
- What historical context is important to understand this event?
- How does media representation of terrorism affect public perception?
- What are the psychological impacts shown on both sides of the conflict?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Broken Wings' is a raw exploration of grief as a centrifugal force that simultaneously binds and isolates a family. The film's true subject isn't the tragic death of the father, but the living death of emotional connection that follows. Each family member becomes an island of private suffering, their pain expressed not through dramatic outbursts but through profound, everyday silences and the failure of routine. The mother's escape into work, the son's reckless behavior, and the daughter's silent rebellion are all different languages for the same unspeakable loss. The narrative drive comes from the tension between their desperate need for each other and their utter inability to bridge the chasm their grief has created.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The film's visual language is one of profound intimacy and claustrophobia. Director Nir Bergman employs a handheld, documentary-like aesthetic, with tight close-ups that trap characters within the frame, mirroring their emotional imprisonment. The color palette is deliberately muted—washed-out blues, grays, and beiges dominate, reflecting the family's drained emotional state. Jerusalem is not portrayed as a vibrant city but as a series of sterile, impersonal spaces: hospital corridors, empty schoolyards, and a home that feels more like a museum of their former life. The camera often lingers on empty spaces after a character has left, emphasizing their absence and the weight of what is missing.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The film is deeply personal for director Nir Bergman, who drew from his own experiences of loss. It was shot on location in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on a modest budget, which contributed to its raw, authentic feel. Actor Maya Maron, who plays the daughter, was only 16 during filming, and her performance is largely credited to Bergman's sensitive direction that allowed for genuine, unrehearsed moments. The screenplay was developed through extensive workshops with the cast, blurring the lines between scripted dialogue and improvisation to capture the inarticulate nature of grief. The film's title, 'Broken Wings,' is a direct reference to a poem by Lebanese-American poet Khalil Gibran, which deals with themes of love, loss, and spiritual yearning.
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Trailer
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