ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Tanah Runtuh introduces Ringgo, a character who stands apart from most portrayals of people with Down syndrome in Indonesian cinema.
Played by Ridho Khaliq, who himself has Down syndrome, Ringgo is presented as a fully realized individual with emotions, hopes, and compassion that form the emotional core of the story.
Directed by Rudi Soedjarwo and produced by Denny Siregar, the film does not position Ringgo as a supporting figure or an inspirational symbol. Instead, he emerges as one of the story’s central characters, driving the narrative through his sincerity and unique perspective on the world.
Set against the backdrop of unrest in the fictional village of Tanah Runtuh in Poso, Central Sulawesi, the film follows the journey of two brothers, Kai and Ringgo, who become separated from their mother. Amid uncertainty and turmoil, their bond unfolds into a story about family, love, and the struggle to survive.
Director Rudi Soedjarwo said that Ringgo ultimately serves as the film’s moral compass. According to him, Ringgo views the world without the barriers and complexities that adults often create.
“Through Ringgo, I was reminded that the most important things in life are actually very simple,” Rudi said during the film’s press conference and screening at XXI Epicentrum in Jakarta on Thursday, June 19, 2026.
Producer Denny Siregar echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that Down syndrome was never intended to be the film’s central message. Instead, Ringgo’s character highlights the most fundamental aspect of humanity—the ability to love and care for others unconditionally.
The decision to cast Ridho Khaliq as Ringgo also marks an important step toward greater authenticity and inclusion in Indonesia’s film industry. His performance brings a natural and genuine presence to the screen, adding depth and credibility to the character.
Actor Vino G. Bastian, who shares several scenes with Ridho, said he learned a great deal from his co-star’s sincerity.
According to Vino, Ringgo demonstrates that a person’s strength is not always measured by physical ability, but also by the depth of their compassion for others.
Through Ringgo, Tanah Runtuh invites audiences to see people with Down syndrome beyond perceived limitations—as individuals who share the same dreams, fears, love, and hopes as anyone else. It is a perspective rarely explored in mainstream cinema, yet one that feels increasingly relevant in an ever more complex world. (Silvia Andriani)
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