Did you know Melbourne is a UNESCO City of Literature - part of a global family of cities recognised for their vibrant literary communities and commitment to storytelling?
For this special edition of Watch, Listen and Read we’ve partnered with our Resident Organisation, Melbourne City of Literature, who reached out to their counterparts in Jakarta, Bucheon and Heidelberg to ask what they are watching, listening to and reading. Get a global insight into what people are loving around the world, be inspired to find your next obsession or even which literature-loving city to add to your next trip.
WATCH
I'm Watching
Jumbo - This is an animated film produced by Visinema Studios, which tells a heartwarming story about family, friendship, and adventure. It’s beautifully wrapped in imagination! With its touching narrative and stunning visuals, it has actually become the highest-grossing animated movie in Indonesia, drawing over 9 million viewers.
- Melvi from Jakarta City of Literature
Bumiku Satu - This Youtube channel is a wonderful way of learning about the variety of green initiatives done by a single person or a whole community.
- Evelyn from Jakarta City of Literature
Mission: Impossible series - I haven’t been watching much lately, but with the release of the newest instalment, I got curious about the earlier films.
So, I’ve recently been watching the previous Mission: Impossible movies. It's fun to watch Ethan Hunt in hard-hitting action scenes-fast-paced, intense, and always full of suspense.
- Soyoung from Bucheon City of Literature
LISTEN
I'm Listening To
Malaka Project - a YouTube channel initiated by Ferry Irwandi, offering thoughtful discussions on social, economic, legal, political, and cultural issues, as well as current topics that spark public attention. Malaka Project aims to encourage critical thinking and raise awareness among its audience.
- Melvi from Jakarta City of Literature
Greatmind - This is a media website that covers an array of topics in our everyday life, from an array of people’s point of views and expertise.
- Evelyn from Jakarta City of Literature
Modern Love - This is one of my favourite listens. I love how each episode expands my understanding of love—not just romantic love, but also the many forms of human connection, including friendships and parenthood.
The stories are touching, surprising, and often deeply moving.
- Soyoung from Bucheon City of Literature
READ
I'm Reading
Laut Bercerita by Leila S. Chudori - May always brings back memories of one of the darker chapters in Indonesia’s history. It also reminds us of the novel Laut Bercerita (The Sea Speaks His Name), a story about Laut and his friends who stood up for what they believed was right for their country.
They faced the iron grip of those in power. They were tortured. Kidnapped. Some made it back. Others… to this day, no one knows what happened to them.
Laut Bercerita, the best-selling novel by Leila S. Chudori is also about parents who never stopped waiting and kept holding on to hope that their beloved son will come home. It’s about a younger sibling searching for truth and clarity, a lover whose flame never fades. It’s a story of friendship—and betrayal.
- Melvi from Jakarta City of Literature
Antologi Rasa by Ika Natassa - Antologi Rasa was one of the leading romance novels back then and maybe is still now, it’s written by Ika Natassa. It’s about a complicated quadrilateral love story of ‘I wish you could see that I love you’ situations, told from each character’s point of view.
- Evelyn from Jakarta City of Literature
Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim - I’m currently reading Beasts of a Little Land. Although the story is deeply rooted in Korean history, the novel was originally published in English.
It’s an epic tale of war, love, and survival that unfolds across several decades of Korea’s modern history.
- Soyoung from Bucheon City of Literature
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad - On 25 October, just three weeks after the bombardment of Gaza, award-winning novelist and journalist Omar El Akkad posted a tweet: ‘One day, when it is safe, when there is no personal harm in calling a thing what it is, when it is too late to hold anyone accountable, everyone will have always been against it.’ His book describes the deep rupture that has occurred for all those who believed in Western ideals. And now realise that the West can no longer be trusted. The book of the moment.
- Claudia from Heidelberg City of Literature