Soekarno (film)

Soekarno (film)
Soekarno ("Indonesia's Independence") is a 2013 Indonesian biographical film directed by Hanung Bramantyo and written by Ben Sihombing. This film tells the story of the life of the late Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia. Sukarno, who was born with the name "Kusno", was one of the major figures who played an important part in the fight for Indonesia's independence from Dutch colonial rule. This film stars Ario Bayu as Sukarno.
On 13 December 2013, the Central Jakarta Business Management Court (PTUN) acceded to an injunction made by one of Sukarno's daughters, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, to halt the film's release. Some film critics had criticised the film for being too commercialised and taking liberties in its depiction of historical events and characters. Subsequently however, on 7 January 2014, the PTUN decided to overturn its earlier decision and allow the film to be shown.
The film was selected as Indonesia's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.
Plot
Soekarno is based on the life of Sukarno, and covers the period from his childhood until his historic Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in 1945. In 1931, the Dutch East Indies government in Java arrests Sukarno, an aspiring young nationalist who wants to free Indonesia from Dutch colonial rule. He is then placed in Banceuy Prison in Bandung. Sukarno finds a way to fight back by delivering his famous defense oration "Indonesia Accuses!" (Indonesia Menggugat) in his trial at Bandung Laandraad Courthouse.
Cast
Ario Bayu - "Soekarno"
Lukman Sardi - Hatta
Mathias Muchus - Hassan Din
Henky Solaiman - Koh Ah Tjun
Ria Irawan - Prostitute
Emir Mahira - "Soekarno" (Teen)
Aji Santosa - "Soekarno" (Kid)
Tika Bravani - Fatmawati
Sujiwo Tejo - Soekemi
Michael Tju - Emperor Hirohito
Ferry Salim - Sakaguchi
Widi Dwinanda - Ratna Djoeami
Agus Kuncoro - Gatot Mangkuprojo
Timo Scheunemann - Letkol Hoogeband
Maudy Kusnaedi - Inggit Garnasih
Tanta Ginting - Sjahrir
Norman Rivianto Akyuwen - Dr. Waworuntu
Stefanus Wahyu - Sayuti Melik
Elang - Kartosuwiryo
Agus Mahesa - Ki Hadjar Dewantara
Hamid Salad - Achmad Soebardjo
Noel Kevas - Dr. Radjiman Wediodiningrat
Budiman Sudjatmiko - Suyudi
Theo - Oto Iskandar di Nata
Nelly Sukma - Kartika
Husni - Sujatmoko
Muhammad Abbe - Wikana
Fajar - Kyai Zaenal Mustofa
Uchida - Nishijima
Susumu - Hitoshi Imamura
Roza - HOS Tjokroaminoto
Diel Sriyadi - Asmara Hadi
Ade Firman Hakim - Chaerul Saleh
Alex - Latief Hendraningrat
Patton Otlivio Latupeirissa - Riwu
Toyik - Ki Bagus Hadikusumo
Anto Galon - Musso
Argo - Sukarni
Kedung - Subadio
Anta - Kyai Wahid Hasyim
Rully Kertaredjasa - Fatmawati's Mother
Ganesh - Maskoen
Helmy Nonaka - Nakayama
Mia - Mien Hessel
Suzuki - Admiral Tadashi Maeda
Ayu Laksmi - "Soekarno's" Mother
Moch. Achir - Dr. Soeharto
Keio Pamudji - Kumakichi Harada
Production
In September 2013, Sukarno's daughter, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, said that she had felt betrayed by the production studio MVP Pictures and resisted the release of the movie production in its current form. She wanted actor Anjasmara to play Sukarno in the film, but the director, Hanung Bramantyo, stuck to his choice of Ario Bayu. However, Rachmawati felt that Ario did not meet her expectations in his portrayal of her father. She had also complained that she was not permitted to give directions or provide feedback on Ario's presentation and interpretation of the gestures and mannerisms of the lead character, something she felt was necessary for him to better portray her father. On 23 September 2013, the dispute came to a head with Rachmawati reporting Hanung Bramantyo to the police on allegations of defamation. At the same time, Hanung publicly stated that he believed Rachmawati's motive for the public dispute with him was purely to seek publicity and popularity for herself. The movie's release went ahead despite the dispute. On his part, the director believed that the movie was historically accurate. "I will continue to screen Sokarno because there is nothing wrong with the movie," he said in September 2013. He said that Rachmawati only had the right to give her advice but not to make any actual decisions concerning the film itself. He also said that matters concerning the making of a film were the sole prerogative of the director.
See also
List of submissions to the 87th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
List of Indonesian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
External links
2013 films
2010s Indonesian-language films
Films shot in Indonesia
Films directed by Hanung Bramantyo
Indonesian biographical films
Sukarno
2010s biographical films