From Jakarta to New York: How "The Architecture of Love" Brought Indonesian Cinema to Broadway Stages
/At Broadway Stages, we love to welcome filmmakers from around the world to New York City, showing them all what the Big Apple has to offer so they can capture the unique sights and sounds of the city in their creative projects. Our facilities can be seen in many international hits, from 2018's blockbuster Chinese buddy comedy "Detective Chinatown 2" (one of the highest-grossing films of all time in China) to 2024's celebrated Indonesian romantic drama "The Architecture of Love."
In the latter film, award-winning Indonesian actress Putri Marino stars as Raia Risjad, a successful writer whose seemingly perfect life in Jakarta falls apart when she discovers that her outwardly devoted and supportive husband has been unfaithful. She heads to New York to start a new life and hopefully find inspiration for her latest novel. However, she has had writer's block since her divorce — that is until she meets River Jusuf (Nicholas Saputra), a kind yet distant architect who piques her interest. As it turns out, the enigmatic River is also running away from a painful past in Jakarta.
The two wander around New York admiring the historic and beautiful skyscrapers, including the iconic Flatiron Building. The architect is happy to talk about the New York City skyline in great detail, but when it comes to talking about himself, River remains reserved. Can Raia get him to open up about his painful past? Or will he keep running away?
"The Architecture of Love" was filmed, housed, and produced in part at Broadway Stages in collaboration with Rollin Studios, a production company founded by and run by Anthony Argento, the son of Broadway Stages' founder Tony Argento. Eager to be a part of the film and TV industry, in 1983, Tony turned a dilapidated movie theatre on Broadway Street in Astoria, Queens into his first soundstage — the company’s namesake. Passion for the film industry runs in the family, as Broadway Stages remains a family-run business to this day, with Tony's sister Gina Argento serving as president and CEO, overseeing the day-to-day operations.
Brooklyn-based Rollin Studios is a globally connected, full-service film production company that strives to bring "new cultures to your doorstep — adapting and learning from one another." The company has produced dozens of films and shorts from filmmakers all over the world.
Aside from the Flatiron Building, another filming location that should look familiar to locals is the Montauk Point Light, a lighthouse at the easternmost point of Long Island. First lit in 1797, it is the oldest lighthouse in the state and fourth-oldest working lighthouse in the nation.
Directed by Teddy Soeriaatmadja and adapted for the screen by Alim Sudio, "The Architecture of Love" is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Ika Natassa. It performed well on the awards circuit last year, earning nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Costume Design at the 44th annual Indonesian Film Festival held last fall. The film also earned a nod for Favorite Film at the 18th annual Indonesian Movie Actor Awards. At the 37th annual Festival Film Bandung, the movie competed for three awards — Best Supporting Actor for Jerome Kurnia, Best Music Arranger for Ricky Lionardi, and Best Actor for Saputra.
As this month is Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we chose to showcase "The Architecture of Love" as a prime example of international collaboration, combining global storytelling with local production. We are thrilled to support international cinema so AAPI voices can be heard around the world.
Join us in honoring AAPI voices in film — learn how Broadway Stages is helping shape stories that resonate worldwide. Contact us to learn more
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