Ave Maryam (local parlance: [a'fɛ ma'rɪam]), initially titled Salt Is Leaving the Sea, is a 2018 Indonesian romantic drama film written, directed, and produced by Ertanto Robby Soediskam [id].

The film received positive reviews; it was praised for its Catholic theme and symbolic elements, but was criticized for being unrealistic.

Romo[exnote 1] Martin introduces Maryam to senior nun Sister Monic and monastery manager Mila.

Maryam and Yosef become closer despite knowing it is forbidden;[exnote 3] at one point, they run naked on a beach and make out.

Ave Maryam, which is based upon real-life events,[exnote 4] was initially titled Salt is Leaving the Sea[2] (Indonesian: Garam Meninggalkan Lautnya).

Before starting production, the film's crew sent letters seeking approval to related organizations, including the Semarang diocese, realizing the Indonesian public might interpret its theme as sensitive.

[8] As a noncommercial project, the crew would not receive any portion of the box office revenue because of the film's goal of "coloring" the cinema of Indonesia.

[13] Her husband Erik Meijer permitted her to be involved in the project "if it could cure her sickness" but she was still ill during principal photography.

[19] The gospel song for the end credits[20] is titled "Sacred Heart" and is based on the eponymous Catholic devotion.

[19] The Christian hymns "O Holy Night", "Gloria in excelsis Deo", and "How Great Thou Art" are also heard in Ave Maryam.

[35] The theatrical "gala premiere" was at Epicentrum XXI in Jakarta on 4 April 2019; there was a meet-and-greet and Q&A session before the film started.

[45] Critics from Tempo praised the soundtrack as a "lust builder", the cinematography as "poetic yet violent", and the film as a whole for being semiotic.

[46] The magazine's Astari Pinasthika Sarosa analyzed the changing of Maryam's clothing palette as the film progresses; the design becomes darker as situations intensify.

[8] CNN Indonesia praised the film's taboo elements, Ical Tanjung's cinematography for capturing Semarang beautifully, and the ending, which the reviewer called "soul-floating".

[His] superior position held them back from expressing their anger, disappointment, or worries [...] Putting Father Yosef's flirtatious attempt to Sister Maryam in the first place, this kind of treatment was clearly troubling."

The reviewer called the movie "a strong reminder that women's roles in a religious body are often marginalized by the hierarchy system that often dominated and gives advantages to men".

[52] Along with 27 Steps of May, Ave Maryam was a candidate for the Indonesia entry of the 92nd Academy Awards, but failed to Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku.