Mentega Terbang 2020

Aisyah, a Muslim teenager, confronts the impending loss of her mother to cancer as the family navigates faith, doubt, and the search for meaning. Mama, who is battling illness, and Abah, a religious liberal, stand by her as they encourage an open exploration of different belief systems. The extended family also includes Uncle Kasim, whose calm, steady presence anchors the household. The household supports her curiosity, inviting her to read across sacred texts—the Quran, the Bible, and the Vedas—seeking guidance about life, death, and what might come after.

The experience sparks an interest in reincarnation—the idea that a soul could be reborn to linger with loved ones. In her imagination, her mother becomes a butterfly from a past life, a symbol of beauty, daylight, and a vibrant, enduring presence. This image fuels her questions about identity, faith, and how love persists beyond death.

Her journey leads her to encounters with Hinduism and Buddhism through Suresh, and to Christianity via their family friend Auntie Esther, a convert from Hinduism who did not expect to follow a different path. The widening scope of belief provokes a wary response from a conservative neighbor, who condemns her cross‑religious exploration as inappropriate.

After her mother passes away, her father counsels that this moment should be a lasting invitation to explore and to choose whichever path feels right, free from coercion. At her mother’s grave, a butterfly settles on the stone, offering a quiet, hopeful sign that memory and love endure.

Around these family moments, a gentle moral arc unfolds about tolerance, personal growth, and the courage to question traditions. The film—Khairi Anwar’s debut as director—was written by Khairi Anwar together with Arjun Thanaraju, Visshnu Varman, and Ti Teng-Hui, blending intimate drama with a thoughtful meditation on faith and belonging.