The ensemble cast is Muhammad Khan, Sujiwo Tejo, Teuku Rifnu Wikana, Randy Pangalila, and Endah Laras.

Memories of My Body's main character's name, Wahyu Juno, is derived from the name Arjuna, the strong, divine protagonist of the epic poem Mahabharata.

Noticing that Juno wants to touch her cleavage, missing his mother, she allows him, and the villagers take her to police, citing pedophilia.

The man loses a boxing match, thus not being able to garner money for his wedding and the boss of a controlling enemy, whose fixer separates him and Juno.

The next day, Juno's uncle reveals that his father left due to trauma upon a river nearby his house, where his family was slaughtered out of slander that he was involved in the 30 September Movement.

Anticipating the election, a regent candidate is advised by shaman Pesisiran to find a mate that will spiritually allow him to win.

[5] Nugroho has known Rianto since 2015 and has worked with him to make a short film called Mangir based on a fable of the same name by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, a writer known for his historic novel This Earth of Mankind.

[7] According to CNN Indonesia, Memories of My Body reflects the diverse Indonesian society who are difficult to accept differences, whose xenophobic opposition bedevils the target, causing hardships in life.

The main character has a different gender identity and lives in a passive society, which later leads to difficulty in communicating, as it noted.

When observing reality, there are indeed traces of minority groups being oppressed when seeking equal rights balancing with the majority.

"[8] Memories of my Body premiered at the 75th Venice International Film Festival in 2018;[9] Other international screenings include the 2018 Three Continents Festival in Nantes, France, as well as Teatro Farnese in Rome, Italy, from 23 to 26 May 2019; the screening in Rome was part of the 70th anniversary celebration of Indonesia's diplomatic relationship with Italy.

Ahmad stated that the film contains morals that can be taught for a mature individual; he sees the depiction of the masculine character cross-dressing and acting feminine tolerable by the general public.

"[36] Another critic, after watching the film in Venice, wrote that Nugroho "takes a path in full line with this artistic syncretism, adding cinema as a meta-artistic structure that encompasses all the arts."

"[37] Other than calling it a "striking poetic imagery out of the socially and sexually conscious material and strikes a delicate balance between his trademark aesthetics," The Hollywood Reporter wrote:[1]While the pic thrives on its socially charged script and its cast's nuanced performances — especially Evandra's depiction of the protagonist as a confused boy and Khan's turn as the older Juno — Nugroho also benefits from Teoh Gay Hian's emotive camerawork and the period details of Ong Hari Wahyu's production design.

At once evoking the gritty realities of agrarian Indonesia while also celebrating the richness of its folk culture, Memories of My Body offers a complex picture of the conflicting social and historical traumas concealed within the bodies and minds of marginalized, oppressed social groups in a nominally secular country.On 16 April, Ifa stated that the film would not be boycotted because it focuses on a coming-of-age story rather than LGBT issues.

The Vice President of the Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) Youth and Family Commission Arovah Windiani asked the film not to be released, calling it immoral.

[40] Depok's regent, Idris Abdul Somad, banned Memories of My Body in the city he controls, also leaning towards LGBT elements of the film.

[41] Somad was supported by MUI's President Garut Sirojul Munir, worrying that the film will bring a negative effect to millennials whilst asking all Muslims to pray more as Ramadan neared.

Pontianak's regent, Edi Rusdi, reportedly wrote three letters to three different institutions: the Ayani Mega Mall, the West Kalimantan KPI, as well as the Mayor of West Kalimantan, Sutarmidji, on 26 and 27 April, saying that he wanted to protect children from domestic violence and abuse, as well as protecting the general public.

[43] Muda Mahandrawan, Kubu Raya's regent, also wrote a letter after witnessing the trailer three times in three different media.

[46] Pekanbaru's regent, Firdaus, wrote a letter the following week, thinking that it might wreak havoc on the general public.

In a footage, the Front threatened the building's managers to have them arrested if they were caught screening any taboo films in the future.

"[50] He questioned the inconsistency of the general public for not boycotting Bohemian Rhapsody, a 2018 biopic film about Freddie Mercury, also with LGBT elements, which was played in many regions in Indonesia.

[52] He was also disappointed by the mass anarchy without any dialogue and process that may influence the mindedness of future generations as well as the openness to be free from discrimination and democratic violence.

He also brought up Soegija, a 2012 epic film by Nugroho as well, which received controversy due to its strength in the ability to possibly convert a person.

[55] Ifa said that the opposition of the film is caused by the dilemma of recent Indonesian culture, where the Muslim community is divided on Sufism or Wahhabism.

[58] Other directors such as Hanung Bramantyo, Ernest Prakasa, and Joko Anwar stated that the boycotting of the film reflects the thriving intolerance in Indonesia.

[63] Soundtrack composer Mondo Gascaro released an album of the same name, which is mostly filled with remakes of pre-existing songs like "Hanya Semalam" (lit.

[65] All music is composed by Mondo Gascoro, unless notedMemories of My Body was selected as the Indonesian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.