The Book Binder (2020) | Short Film

Summary

In this heartfelt conversation, a son desperately asks his father to attend his wedding discussions despite years of strained interactions. The father, who has consistently distanced himself from family events, refuses, citing past disappointments and his busy schedule. The son, deeply emotional, pleads for his father’s presence, emphasizing that it’s not about him or the mother, but about the son’s life-changing moment. The dialogue showcases the emotional struggle of seeking parental approval and connection, with a glimpse into the tension between family expectations and personal choices.

Takeaways

• 😀 The conversation starts with a warm greeting and the mention of a family gathering at home.
• 😀 The speaker's father is busy with work and has a lot on his plate.
• 😀 The speaker invites the father to attend a family event, mentioning that Uncle Hendro, Aunt Narti, and other relatives will be present.
• 😀 The speaker’s mother is preparing food for everyone, and the speaker insists on the importance of the father attending the gathering.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that this event is for their wedding discussions, stressing how important it is for the father to attend.
• 😀 The speaker feels hurt that their father has not attended previous events, mentioning past exhibitions and events they organized that the father didn’t attend.
• 😀 The father resists attending, offering money in place of his presence, but the speaker rejects this offer.
• 😀 The speaker pleads with their father, pointing out that this is the first time they are asking for something like this.
• 😀 The speaker suggests that their father’s absence might cause embarrassment in front of Sari’s family.
• 😀 The speaker insists that the situation is not about the parents, but about their own wedding and their wish for the father’s support.
• 😀 The conversation shifts as the father’s professional obligations come up, and a conversation with Mr. Rahmat indicates that the father is trying to make arrangements to attend the event later in the evening.
• 😀 The speaker’s father mentions a routine interaction with Mr. Rahmat, where the book was completed, and they discuss personal life updates, including children’s milestones.

Q & A

What is the main event discussed in the conversation?

The main event discussed is a wedding, specifically the speaker's wedding, where they are asking their father to attend a family gathering to talk about the wedding.

Why is the speaker urging their father to attend the event?

The speaker is urging their father to attend because it is an important occasion—his son's wedding—and he wants the family to be united and supportive during this time.

What is the relationship between the speaker and the person they are speaking to?

The speaker is speaking to their father, trying to convince him to attend the family gathering to discuss the wedding.

What is the father's reaction to the speaker's request?

The father seems reluctant to attend, mentioning past events where he did not show up and expressing a desire to avoid the situation. However, the speaker continues to pressure him to come.

What does the speaker mean by 'I don't want to go to the house'?

The speaker is expressing frustration, indicating they don’t want to go to their father's house anymore because of his previous reluctance to attend important events. They seem to have accepted this as a reality but still want him to attend the wedding-related gathering.

How does the speaker try to appeal to their father’s emotions?

The speaker tries to appeal to their father's emotions by emphasizing the importance of the wedding and how it affects the speaker personally, saying, 'It’s not about you. It’s about me.'

What does the speaker mean by 'You’ll understand, soon as you’re married'?

The speaker is suggesting that once the father experiences marriage and the responsibilities and emotions involved, he will understand why it’s so important for him to attend this family event.

What does the speaker mean by 'Take it another place. I'll pay for it.'?

The speaker suggests that the father should not worry about the location of the event or any costs associated with it, offering to take care of the expenses to encourage him to attend.

Why does the speaker seem so determined to have the father attend the event?

The speaker is determined because they feel the absence of their father at this pivotal moment—such as their wedding—would be a disappointment and bring shame to them, particularly in front of Sari’s family.

What is the significance of the conversation with Pak Dosen and Mr. Rahmat at the end?

The conversation with Pak Dosen and Mr. Rahmat shows a shift in the context. The speaker, still dealing with the situation at home, moves to another conversation about work or other responsibilities, indicating how life continues even amid personal struggles.