Djenar Maesa Ayu has based her first feature, THEY SAY I'M A MONKEY, on her two short stories about a young writer, Adjeng, who is haunted by the shadow of her past. Adjeng lives two separate lives: as an aggressive party girl to her lovers and friends, and a passive daughter to her mother. She tries to find solace through her writings. But she is in dilemma when she has to face her mother's opposition. Can Adjeng break free from maternal suppression and come to terms with her past?

"Escalating violence against women and children has become a part of our daily existence. Lack of knowledge of individual rights, incompetent legal system, gender problems, and the misperception of sex as taboo are some of causes for the sexual abuse and violence in the family."

Djenar Maesa Ayu, director