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'Benyamin Biang Kerok' offers modern take on local comedy
Benyamin Biang Kerok (Benyamin the Troublemaker) has been reimagined as a latter-day adaptation that combines multiple film genres.
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A still from 'Benyamin Biang Kerok' shows lead actor Reza Rahadian in the reinterpreted role of Pengki. (Falcon's official YouTube/File)
The contemporary adaptation of Benyamin Biang Kerok (Benyamin the Troublemaker) will premier on March 1.
Actor Reza Rahadian, who plays the central character, Pengki, was careful in pointing out to Antara that the film was neither a reboot nor a remake of the original Benyamin Biang Kerok (1972).
In the original film, Pengki, beautifully acted by the late Betawi artist Benyamin Sueb, is a driver who frequently plays pranks on his boss’s family. In the contemporary iteration of Benyamin Biang Kerok by director Hanung Bramantyo, Pengki is a rich kid living in a hi-tech home.
Read also: ‘Si Doel’ film adaptation to kick off production next year
The thoroughly modernized Pengki lives a life of comfort, courtesy of his mother's (Meriam Bellina) hard work. Meanwhile, Pengki’s father (Rano Karno) lives a humble life in a Betawi house and spends his days looking after a goat.
The plot follows Pengki as he tries to save his favorite singer, Aida (Delia), from a mafia gang.
Benyamin Biang Kerok combines the drama, action, comedy and musical film genres in presenting a modern take on a local comedy with a touch of Betawi culture. (jes/wen)
