Dilan (Ariel Noah) returns to Bandung after completing a six-month student exchange program in Cuba. He resumes his life as a student at the Faculty of Art and Design at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and continues his relationship with Ancika (Niken Anjani). However, they soon face emotional challenges connected to three major issues: past love, the political situation in Indonesia during 1997–1998, and Dilan’s inner struggle to leave behind his past in order to move forward into adulthood.

Dilan ITB 1997 is adapted from the novel of the same title by Pidi Baiq and completes the Dilan trilogy following Dilan 1990 (2018) and Dilan 1991 (2019). The film also serves as a continuation of Milea: Suara dari Dilan (2020) and Ancika: Dia yang Bersamaku 1995 (2024). Containing entertainment elements and themes of youth and personal growth, the Indonesian Film Censorship Board (LSF) has classified the film for audiences aged 13 and above. (nkn)