Life of music on Jakarta's margins

Dreadlocked Ho, tunnel-dwelling Boni and entrepreneurial Titi are three buskers working the buses and clogged streets of Jakarta,  living on their wits and meagre donations, staying one step ahead of the authorities and starvation.Jalanan (Streetside) is a vibrant documentary on their lives and individual philosophies: the charismatic trio win our hearts with their daring and never-say-die optimism against the odds. It's a striking, moody and intimate portrait of Indonesia’s frenzied capital and those forced to live on its margins.The music that pours out of the three friends provides a powerful soundtrack that drives this humane and heart-warming film, which traces their quest for identity, dignity and love in a city polluted by globalisation and corruption.Jalanan screens on Sunday, March 8 at 1.30pm at the Byron Community Centre in a NSW Premiere. It is a nominee for Best Documentary Film. Tickets can be bought at BBFF.com.au or at the venue www.byroncentre.com.au