# What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love

What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love (Indonesian: Yang Tidak Dibicarakan Ketika Membicarakan Cinta, stylized in all lowercase) is a 2013 Indonesian drama film written and directed by Mouly Surya. The film stars Nicholas Saputra, Ayushita, and Karina Salim as teenagers involved in a complex relationship while dealing with their disabilities.

## Synopsis

Diana and Fitri are two visually impaired teenage girls. Diana is myopic, meaning she can see things only an inch in front of her, while Fitri has been blind since birth. They both experience the pangs and yearnings of love, but must transcend their lack of sight to envision it. It's a struggle as they grapple to understand and fathom what they feel through other senses: touch, sound, and movement. Their missteps causing misconceptions are sometimes heartbreaking but both are gifted with a sublime resilience.

## Cast

* Nicholas Saputra as Edo
* Ayushita as Fitri
* Karina Salim as Diana
* Anggun Priambodo as Andhika
* Lupita Jennifer as Maya
* Adella Fauzi as Tiara
* Khiva Iskak as Lukman
* Tutie Kirana as Diana' mother
* Anindya Krisna as Reni
* Jajang C. Noer as Edo's mother

## Production

Production of the film was funded by grants received from the Gothenburg Film Festival, Asian Project Market of the Busan International Film Festival, and Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

## Release

The film premiered in the World Dramatic Competition category of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, making history as the first Indonesian film to do so. Domestically, it received limited release in May 2013. Throughout 2013, the film was screened at several prestigious film festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Hong Kong International Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival.

## Reception
### Box office

At the time of its domestic release, the film was only shown in 14 theaters and performed poorly at the box office.

### Critical response

The film received positive reviews from critics. Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Duane Byrge called it a "touching and brilliantly envisioned story of a young, nearly blind teen's first love" and singled out Zeke Khaseli's score for highlighting "the character’s emotional struggles." Fransisca Bianca of the Whiteboard Journal wrote "the film truly explores things that are not talked when we talk about love" while praising the film for "its bravery in introducing a new form of romance through its cinematography and unique love story."

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Awards | Category | Recipients | Results |
| 2013 | Sundance Film Festival | World Cinema Grand Jury Prize | What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love | Nominated |
| 2013 | International Film Festival Rotterdam | Lions Film Award | What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love | Nominated |
| 2013 | International Film Festival Rotterdam | NETPAC Award | What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love | Won |
| 2013 | Cinemanila International Film Festival | Lino Brocka Award for Best Film | What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love | Nominated |
| 2013 | Hong Kong International Film Festival | Golden Firebird Award | Mouly Surya | Nominated |
| 2013 | Hong Kong International Film Festival | FIPRESCI Award | Mouly Surya | Nominated |
| 2013 | 7th Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival | Golden Hanoman Award | Mouly Surya | Nominated |
| 2013 | 33rd Citra Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Ayushita | Nominated |
| 2013 | 33rd Citra Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Mouly Surya | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best Feature Film | What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best Director | Mouly Surya | Won |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Ayushita | Won |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best New Actor | Anggun Priambodo | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best New Actress | Karina Salim | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Mouly Surya | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best Cinematography | Yunus Pasolang | Won |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best Sound | Khikmawan Santosa | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2nd Maya Awards | Best Original Score | Zeke Khaselli Yudhi Arfani | Nominated |
| 2013 | Asia-Pacific Film Festival | Best Music | Zeke Khaselli Yudhi Arfani | Won |
| 2014 | 8th Asian Film Awards | Best Composer | Zeke Khaselli Yudhi Arfani | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indonesian Film Academy Awards | Best Film | What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love | Won |
| 2014 | Indonesian Film Academy Awards | Best Director | Mouly Surya | Won |
| 2014 | Indonesian Film Academy Awards | Best Screenplay | Mouly Surya | Won |
| 2014 | Las Palmas Film Festival | Best New Director | Mouly Surya | Won |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Best Actor | Nicholas Saputra | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Best Actress | Ayushita | Won |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Best New Actress | Karina Salim | Won |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Best Chemistry | Nicholas Saputra & Ayushita | Won |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Favorite Actor | Nicholas Saputra | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Favorite Actress | Ayushita | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Favorite New Actress | Karina Salim | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indonesian Movie Awards | Favorite Film | What They Don't Talk About When They Talk About Love | Nominated |