Janur Kuning

Janur Kuning(literallyYellow Coconut Leaves) is a 1980 Indonesianwar filmdirected by Alam Surawidjaja and produced by Abbas Wiranatakusuma. Starring Kaharuddin Syah, Deddy Sutomo, andDicky Zulkarnaen, it follows theIndonesian revolutionariessix-hour assault onYogyakarta, underSuharto, in a show of force against the Dutch army. At the time the most expensive domestic production ever, the film's title is meant to symbolise the Indonesian people's struggle. A critical success,Janur Kuningreceived a nomination and two special awards at the 1980Indonesian Film Festival. It was screened annually on 1 March between 1980 and 1998, but has since been criticised as an attempt to manipulate history and create a cult with PresidentSuhartoin the centre.
In 1948, three years after theIndonesian National Revolutionbegan, the Dutch armyinvadesthe republican capital atYogyakarta. Commander in Chief of the ArmySudirman(Deddy Sutomo) escapes, while the city's sultanHamengkubuwana IXmust stay there with his people and the national leadership. Sudirman, after escaping from the Dutch who were following him, goes on a guerrilla campaign.
The following year, Lieutenant ColonelSuharto(Kaharuddin Syah) devises a daring plan, a show of force in the capital. Early in the morning on 1 March 1949 he takes his soldiers – all in full uniform – and retakes the city, overwhelming the Dutch. After six hours Suharto and his men retreat, as planned. Several months later the Dutch recognise Indonesia's independence.
Janur Kuningwas directed by Alam Surawidjaja and produced by Abbas Wiranatakusuma of theJakarta-based production house Metro 77. The script was written by Syafnizal Durab in collaboration with Arto Hady, while cinematography was completed by Kasdullah. In post-production Soemardjono handled editing and Sudharnoto and Suparman Sidik handled music and other sound effects. Kaharuddin Syah starred as Suharto, while Deddy Sutomo played Sudirman; other cast members included Amak Baldjun and Dicky Zulkarnaen.
Janur Kuningwas the most expensive Indonesian film up to that point, with a budget ofRp. 375 million. The cost led production to be held up for over a month when the allocated funds were unavailable.It was the second domestic production to deal with the 1 March general assault, afterUsmar Ismail'sEnam Djam di Djogdja(Six Hours in Jogja; 1951).The film's title, which refers to immature coconut leaves, is meant to symbolise the Indonesian people's struggle against the Dutch colonists.In the film, fighters wear the leaves on their sleeves to show their loyalty.
A scene was filmed, several minutes long, showing Sudirman meeting and hugging Sultan Hamengkubuwana IX after returning from his guerrilla campaign. According to Sutomo, the scene was cut because the censors working for Suharto'sNew Orderdisapproved of it.Sudirman, sickly fromtuberculosisduring his guerrilla campaign, is depicted as having mystic powers: the military historian Katherine McGregor notes such an effect in one scene, where Sudirman whispers a prayer and causes the rain to fall, distracting his Dutch pursuers and allowing him to escape.
Several small scenes were filmed using foreign high school students from Jakarta International School, who were brought to Yogjakarta to portray the Dutch soldiers during their midterm break from school.Additional European extras were recruited from the ranks of young overland travelers from the US, Australia, Germany and other Western countries.
Janur Kuningwas released in 1980. At that year'sIndonesian Film Festival, Amak Baldjun was nominated for a Citra Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film. Two special awards were also given at the ceremony, for Producer Supporting the People's Struggle (Producer Film yang Mengolah Perjuangan Bangsaand Hopeful Actor (Pemeran Harapan Pria).It has remained well received. In an overview of Indonesian patriotic films forThe Jakarta Globe, Awis Mranani wrote thatJanur Kuningwas "one to watch".
After its release,Janur Kuningwas broadcast annually onTVRIon 1 March.In September 1998, four months after thefall of Suharto, Information MinisterYunus Yosfiahstated that the film was an attempt to manipulate history and create a cult with Suharto in the centre. Two other films,Serangan Fajar(Dawn Attack; 1981) andPengkhianatan G30S/PKI(Treachery of G30S/PKI; 1984), were also affected by the decree.Serangan Fajarportrayed Suharto as a great hero of the revolution, especially the 1 March General Assault,whilePengkhianatan G30S/PKIemphasised the former president's role in destroying the30 September Movementcoup in 1965.The accuracy ofJanur Kuninghad been questioned as early as its release.
A35 mmcopy is stored atSinematek Indonesiain Jakarta.