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Usmar Ismail

Usmar Ismail

Directing

Biography

Usmar Ismail (born March 20, 1921 - January 2, 1971) was an Indonesian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is dubbed the godfather of Indonesian films. The date of Indonesia's National Film Day (March 30), is dated from the first day of shooting Darah dan Doa (1950), Ismail's third film. His talents further developed while working at Keimin Bunka Sidosho (the Japanese Cultural Center Headquarters). There, he collaborated with Armijn Pane and other cultural figures to stage theatrical performances. In 1943, he founded and became the chairman of the theater group Sandiwara Penggemar "Maya" along with Abu Hanifah, Rosihan Anwar, Cornel Simanjuntak, Sudjojono, H.B. Jassin, and others. After the proclamation of independence, Usmar served in the military and became actively involved in journalism in Jakarta. When the Dutch returned with Allied forces, he joined the Indonesian National Army (TNI) in Yogyakarta with the rank of major. Along with his colleagues Sjamsuddin Sutan Makmur and Rinto Alwi, they established a newspaper named Rakyat. In the field of editorial work and journalism, Usmar was one of the founders and editors of Harian Patriot, the editor of the monthly magazine Arena in Yogyakarta (1948), and Gelanggang in Jakarta (1966-1967). He also served as the chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (1946-1947). During his time as a journalist, Usmar was imprisoned by the Dutch for allegedly engaging in subversive activities. At the time, he was working as a political reporter at Kantor Berita Antara and was covering the Dutch-Indonesian negotiations in Jakarta. This incident occurred in 1948. In his later career, Usmar developed a more serious interest in filmmaking. He became actively involved in organizations related to theater and film. He served as chairman of the Yogyakarta Cultural Deliberation Body (1946-1948), chairman of the Yogyakarta Artists Theater Association (1946-1948), chairman of the Indonesian National Theater Academy in Jakarta (1955-1965), and chairman of the National Film Deliberation Body (BMPN). BMPN played a key role in urging the government to establish the "National Film Development Policy" in 1967. He was known as a co-founder of the Indonesian National Film Company with Djamaluddin Malik and other film entrepreneurs, eventually becoming its chairman from 1954 to 1965.

Known For

The Long March
8.0

It tells the story of an Indonesian revolutionary who falls in love with one of his Dutch prisoners.

The Long March

1950
Bali
4.2

The wife of a European photographer on assignment in exotic Bali falls for an enigmatic ex patriot under the spell of a mystical death cult...

Bali

1970
The Tiger from Tjampa
5.0

Set in the 1930s, and narrated like a ballad from the past, "The Tiger from Tjampa" tells of how a young man, Lukman, seeks to avenge his father’s murder by learning pencak silat, a traditional form of self defence, based on the movements of animals.

The Tiger from Tjampa

1953
Girl's Dormitory
8.0

The residents of a dormitory led by Bu Siti each have their own personal issues. Tari, a dance student, falls in love with a man old enough to be her father. Rahimah, a medical student, is about to be forced into marriage in her village but is rescued by Nasrul. Maria, a flight attendant, gets entangled in a love quadrangle. She is loved by Imansyah, a co-pilot, but Maria is more attracted to Broto, a wealthy merchant. However, Broto himself is more interested in Sita, a dance instructor. Additionally, two teenagers, Ani and Ina, are placed under Bu Siti's care because their parents are preoccupied with politics. All these problems are resolved in a comedic manner.

Girl's Dormitory

1958
The Big Village
N/A

Partoyo, a big-time businessman, abandons his family because of work. A sociopolitical snapshot of Jakarta in the changing governance.

The Big Village

1969
Lagi-Lagi Krisis
N/A

Husin bin Said (Udjang) suddenly got the inspiration to become a shaman. He put up a nameplate. So in droves of people came asking for help: people who intend to become cultural attaches, members of parliament, wives of officials whose husbands are dating again, producers, aspiring film stars, etc. For some reason, film producer Henry Bross (S. Bono) and aspiring film star Mimi (Diana Subroto) have succeeded in making Husin try their best to help carry out their intention. This story is also the main pillar of the film, besides being an opportunity for the director to mock the world of film. Moreover, then came Husin's friend, Pedro (Rd. Ismail), an old and unused performer who still had illusions about his triumph as an actor. Husin's house is next door to the family of Jaka Prawira-Mariam (R. Sukarno, Tina Melinda). To this house came their in-laws, RA Berlian (Edifah Hanoem), a controlling noble.

Lagi-Lagi Krisis

1955
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N/A

During the time of the confrontation, a group of young men led by Harun broke through the barricades of the Dutch navy patrol and landed at Mentawai Island. Their special mission is to detain Kafedo who is accused of collaborating with the enemy. Both men are romantically involved with Hiya. When the Dutch troops land on the island, Kafedo bravely demonstrates his love for the nation. So in the end, Harun allows Kafedo to marry Hiya.

Kafedo

1953
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N/A

During the revolution, Japan is defeated but has yet to surrender so a 14-year-old boy insists on joining the army, to avenge his father, who is incarcerated in Nusa Kambangan for murder. His actions are brave yet extreme in every way. Recognising this, the commander promotes the boy to section head, even though all his men are older than he is. He takes the most dangerous missions and as a result, one of his men dies. The late man’s girlfriend then volunteers, and is also killed, after being just as reckless as the boy.

Anak-anak Revolusi

1964
Shadows at Dawn
N/A

Revolves around a conflict between two step -siblings Omar and Salim. Salim who lives in the village works on a rubber plantation inherited by their father. While Omar is in the city depending on the money sent by Salim to finance his extravagant lifestyle.

Shadows at Dawn

1962
After the Curfew
6.2

A hero of revolution returns to civilian life to find the new society very different from the ideals he fought for.

After the Curfew

1954
Heboh
N/A

Prior to his death, Mutalib tycoon ordered his son Dullah to search for a legacy that is listed on the secret map. Fearing that his son, who had been studying abroad, knew only the truth, Mutalib asked his friends, Cepot and Udel to help and guide his son, including being told about the secret map. Joko, the deceased's assistant, is trying to seize the map with the help of Mutalib's private secretary, Fatimah. Udel and Tjepot were kidnapped and threatened by Jim. Udel and Tjepot fled to Sukadamai. This run was made funny. Joko successfully snatched the map from the Dullah and went to Sukadamai which was the clue to the inheritance. Thanks to the help of Udel and Tjepot, the Dullah was able to find the treasure. What is the content of that inheritance? Just a piece of paper urging Dullah to work. The insane Dullah who wanted to work hard after getting the message, also fell in love with the local girl, Siti.

Heboh

1954
The Struggle
6.3

Devoted to the heroes who fought for their homeland’s freedom in the 1947 Indonesian war of liberation.

The Struggle

1960
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N/A

The title “Hurricane and Storm”, is seemingly a translation from Sturm und Drang, a psychological term for puberty or a transition period for an individual's mental state. Kaslan is a conservative and honest bank clerk, while his wife, Miah, is more liberal in terms of discipline. Kaslan is strict with his daughters, Wati and Tina. It makes Wahab afraid to approach the girl of his dream, Wati, since Kaslan always escorts her wherever she goes. Wahab is also jealous by Wati's favourite English teacher and he tries to hang himself when she falls in love with a singer. When the singer rejects Wati, she returns to Wahab. Tina reveals all to her father but before he can scold her, she leaves the house, and returns home only much later. But mother explains about the puberty that Wati is going through. In turn, Wahab also learns to understand Kaslan's reason for his strictness. Then they both graduate from high school.

Masa Topan dan Badai

1963
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N/A

Abdulkadir is a scrooge. He works as a loan shark. His daughter, Suliati, is going steady with Ahmad. But Abdulkadir resents his daughter's lover due to his poverty. Instead, he pairs off Suliati with the wealthy Abdulrachman. Meanwhile, Abdulkadir is dating Rohana, his own son, Ramelan's girlfriend. Finally, it is revealed that Ahmad is actually Abdulrachman's son. In the end, Ahmad gets to marry Suliati.

Harta Karun

1949
The Virgin in the Robbers' Nest
N/A

Follows a young woman who is kidnapped by a group of bandits, only to fall in love with their leader.

The Virgin in the Robbers' Nest

1962
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N/A

Anwar returns to his village and actively preaches about going on the holy pilgrimage. Kyai Anwar sees him as a rival and calls Anwar a fake clerk and won’t allow his daughter, Rokayah, to have a relationship with Anwar. His hidden agenda is his fear about losing his broker business that holds most of the villager’s money, planning to go on the pilgrimage. This challenge is faced and solved by Anwar.

Ja Mualim

1968
Three Fugitives
N/A

Set during the period after the war of independence when many rogue gangs try to control different areas,

Three Fugitives

1957
Exalted Guest
8.0

An impending visit from a VIP causes chaos and confusion in the small, isolated village of Sukaslamet. Things take a hilarious turn when the herbal medicine seller is mistaken for the exalted guest and is accorded a ceremonial welcome in the most elaborate Javanese style.

Exalted Guest

1955
Terimalah Laguku
N/A

Iskandar is a talented clarinet player who trains under an old musician named Sobari. He also has moral support from his girlfriend. But when he becomes successful, he forgets about Sobari, his friends and his girlfriend. Only when his career crumbles does Iskandar remember again his girlfriend and friends.

Terimalah Laguku

1952
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N/A

On the trail to catch the killer of his brother, Achmad easily defeats a bandit who challenges him. This impresses Citra, a child, who since then follows Achmad wherever he goes. When they come to a village threatened by robbers, Achmad stops and tries to solve the problem. One of the tough guys of the village, Wirya, notices Achmad and is impressed by him and Achmad’s religious devotion. He becomes friends with Achmad and asks him to agree to his condition not to bother Aisah, a village girl, who is actually in love with Achmad. Then the robbers launch a major attack, which Achmad repels. From the defeated chief, Achmad finds out that Wirya is the killer of his brother. Wirya admits killing Achmad’s brother, for committing crime and adultery.

Menjusuri Djedjak Berdarah

1967