Ave Maryam's tale of desire within the confines of a home for elderly nuns is not new; the most classic example would probably be 2002's The Crime of Padre Amaro. But in the context of a conservative, predominantly Muslim country like Indonesia, this film is pretty novel. Inevitably, a tinge of cultural specificity is lost when a film is transplanted from one audience to another.
That said, the film's depiction of the conflict between faith and love will probably resonate despite cultural barriers. Again, it's not a novel approach, but the film's mood and atmosphere is top notch, thanks to brilliant cinematography and production design. The film takes its time to immerse us in the rhythms of its protagonists' lives, and as such the first act may feel a little slow. The buildup to the romance implies a lot - perhaps too much, which is the film's greatest weakness - but it is more successful than not.
Perhaps the one novelty that comes from this film is the response to Maryam's desire for freedom and love, but in the context of the film, it makes sense: the nuns whom Maryam live with are already past the prime of their lives, having spent their lives in the service of an invisible God. They know the sacrifice such a vocation entails, and their actions are meant to push Maryam towards the right decision for her, even if it means possibly leaving that vocation forever.
While Ave Maryam's atmosphere is top notch, I'm still not convinced it's as fully formed as it could be.
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