Riri to adapt Pramoedya’s Bumi Manusia to film

JP/P.J. LeoJakarta: Film director Riri Riza, 40, is planning an adaptation of celebrated author Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind) this year, to be released in 2012.

Bumi Manusia is the first novel of Pramoedya’s Buru Quartet, which he completed as a political prisoner on Buru Island during the Soeharto regime.

The book is a tale of love and colonialism in Java during the Dutch colonial time.

Riri, who directed Gie and Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Warriors), will work with a screenplay from writer Jujur Prananto.  

“Shooting will be carried out from August to September. We estimate that by March 2012 [the film] will be completed,” Riri said as quoted by kompas.com.

He said he would have to make some changes from the book version. “Because film has its strengths and limitations, there will be adjustments,” Riri said. — JP