Mirror Never Lies, The (ATOM Study Guide)

Twelve-year-old Pakis' father, a Bajo fisherman, is missing at sea. While most presume he is dead, Pakis (Gita Novalista) is hopeful that he will return home. She carries a mirror wherever she goes, hoping that it will reveal a reflection of her father very much alive. Her behaviour upsets her mother Tayung (Atiqah Hasiholan), who is grieving the loss of her husband and is struggling to support herself and her daughter. Pakis cannot forget her father's stories of the sea. Unable to sleep, she lies awake at night, waiting for her father to return.

Tudo (Reza Rahadian) is a marine biologist from Jakarta. He has come to Wakatobi to track dolphins. The village elder insists that he stay with Pakis and her mother. Tudo moves into the hut where Pakis' father once slept. Pakis resents Tudo at first but his knowledge of the ocean shifts her perspective and soon she has a crush on the handsome stranger. Tayung is also attracted to Tudo. Tudo may have come to the Bajo village to work but it is clear that he is also trying to mend a broken heart.

When the mirror breaks, Pakis is distraught. She turns to Sandro the village fortune-teller for support but his advice is of no help. Pakis steals the mirrors from her neighbours' homes and takes the wedding gown that hangs in Tudo's room. She retreats to the hill, where she dons the gown and decorates the tree with mirrors. Then she waits.

Pakis' friend Lumo (Eko) comes in search of her. He understands her grief. His father, a fisherman, has also lost his life at sea. Lumo brings with him a piece of a wooden fishing boat, proof that the waves have taken Pakis' father. She must now accept the fact that her father is dead and find her way in the world just as her father wanted her to.

The Mirror Never Lies (2011) is an Indonesian feature film directed by Kamila Andini, suitable for secondary students in Years 7–10 undertaking subjects within the domains of English, The Arts – Media, The Humanities – Geography and LOTE – Indonesian and within the strand of Physical, Personal and Social Learning. The film is a suitable text for study in VCE English, Environmental Science, Geography, Media and Indonesian.