Why You Should Watch A Distorted Individual at KCUFF 2025

It's overwhelming, scrolling through a festival lineup, trying to figure out which films are actually worth your time versus which ones just sound good on paper. Here's why A Distorted Individual should be on your list.

Synopsis: After 18 years in the underground music scene, Individual Distortion sets his sights on Indonesia's most prestigious music awards. Determined to be acknowledged, he navigates the complexities of the music industry, confronting challenges that test his identity and aspirations.

Here's what makes this special: Most autobiographical documentaries pretend the artist is purely motivated by creative expression and artistic integrity. This filmmaker is refreshingly honest about wanting awards and recognition. He's upfront about those motivations in a way that feels authentic rather than mythologized. It's rare to see someone admit they want to win, and that honesty makes the whole thing more human.

The craft here is incredible too. The music is chaotic and frantic, and the editing keeps perfect pace with that energy. The visual construction is thoughtful and deliberate, making incredible use of black and white versus color in ways that amplify the story. This isn't just someone pointing a camera at their life. There's real filmmaking happening here.

Plus, you're getting a world premiere of Indonesian cinema, from a film community that deserves way more recognition than it gets. The underground music scene isn't just happening in Brooklyn warehouses or Berlin clubs.

A Distorted Individual screens September 18th at 7:00pm. This is the kind of deeply personal filmmaking that reminds you why underground festivals exist in the first place.