Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri has made a groundbreaking move by releasing its first medical documentary, “Awake Brain Surgery: Where Miracles Begin,” at the XXI cinema network. The film premiered on Saturday (July 26) at Cinema XXI Lippo Mall Puri.
This documentary marks a major milestone for Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri as its first cinematic medical documentary. It highlights the hospital’s commitment to medical excellence, advanced surgical technology, and the human stories behind brain tumor surgeries.
The documentary tells the real-life story of Dr. dr. Mardjono Tjahjadi, Sp.BS, Subsp. N-Vas, F. N-Onk, PhD, FICS, IFAAN—popularly known as Dr. Joy—a leading Indonesian neurosurgeon with achievements both at home and on the global stage.
Presented with a cinematic, emotional, and inspiring approach, the film takes viewers into the intricate world of neurosurgery—an art form that, as Dr. Joy says, “does not tolerate mistakes.”
Through two complex and high-stakes medical cases, the audience witnesses real-life miracles performed in the operating room. The first case features Ryu, a 6-year-old boy with a 5x5x5 cm brain tumor occupying much of his posterior fossa. Under Dr. Joy’s leadership, the microsurgical procedure successfully removed the entire tumor. Just hours after the operation, Ryu was already able to stand and eat normally.
The second case showcases the advanced awake brain surgery technique used on Mr. Robby, who had suffered from chronic epilepsy for 16 years. Remaining conscious during surgery, Mr. Robby was engaged in conversation by the surgical team throughout the procedure to ensure critical brain functions were preserved. The operation significantly restored his ability to speak and move.
Told through the eyes of patients, families, and colleagues, “Awake Brain Surgery: Where Miracles Begin” reveals the deeply human side of the medical world. Dr. Joy is portrayed not only as a skilled neurosurgeon, but also as a symbol of hope and calm during the most critical moments of his patients’ lives.
Beyond the operating room, the film also chronicles Dr. Joy’s academic journey—earning his PhD in just 18 months and 12 days in Helsinki, Finland, a feat that earned him a record from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI). In a foreign land full of challenges, Dr. Joy trained under world-renowned neurosurgeon Prof. Juha Hernesniemi, who instilled in him the philosophy that every millimeter of brain tissue is life itself and must be respected.
“Through this documentary, we hope the public realizes that Indonesian medical technology and local medical expertise continue to grow—even in handling highly complex brain conditions—so public trust in our doctors and healthcare system can continue to rise,” said Erwin Suyanto, Public Relations of Mandaya Hospital Group.
Dr. Joy’s Neurosurgical Expertise Empowered by Advanced Technology at Mandaya Royal Hospital
The documentary also introduces viewers to the cutting-edge neurosurgical technologies available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri. Among them is intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), a sophisticated tool used during surgery to monitor the nervous system in real-time, helping to detect and prevent nerve damage during tumor removal procedures.
The film highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration among neurosurgeons, neurologists, and anesthesiologists, all of whom play critical roles in the success of these complex surgeries.
Appearing alongside Dr. Joy in the awake brain surgery scenes are key members of the medical team, including Dr. Luh Ari Indrawati, Sp.N, Subsp. E.N.K.(K), a neuromuscular neurologist, and Dr. Primartanto Wibowo, Sp.An-KIC, an anesthesiologist specializing in intensive care.
“This film launch is part of our commitment to educating the public about the importance of medical technology, teamwork, and the human values at the heart of every medical procedure,” Erwin added.
“Awake Brain Surgery: Where Miracles Begin” is more than a medical documentary—it is a true story of courage, hope, and dedication from Dr. Joy, an Indonesian medical pioneer who proves that miracles can indeed begin in the operating room.