"Street Punk! Banda Aceh"

Over a decade ago, a massive undersea earthquake triggered an Indian Ocean tsunami, killing 167,000 people in Indonesia’s Aceh Province. Since then, strict sharia law has grown in influence. Punk’s freedom of expression clashes worldwide with political and religious dogma, and here the ongoing crackdown has driven punks further underground. Punks causing minor transgressions become scapegoats, distracting attention from the real issue in Indonesia – rampant corruption. Punks are labeled a ‘social disease’ – life would be easier if they conformed, but this small community remains. The Aceh punks made headlines in 2011 when 64 were arrested. Punishing them for being punk, and subjecting them to “re-education” regimen. As Indonesia’s economy prospers, many are disenfranchised. Street Punk! Banda Aceh examines the changing society, and witnesses its punk community adapt, exist and find their identity in one of the country’s most restricted regions.

*Proceeds raised go directly back to the punks and their DIY street art.