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The rise and fall of a religious preacher
Filmmaker Aditya Gumay, recognized for his Sanggar Ananda studio and Lenong Bocah television series, seizes the moment, translating the rising popularity of Muslim preachers into the big screen
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ilmmaker Aditya Gumay, recognized for his Sanggar Ananda studio and Lenong Bocah television series, seizes the moment, translating the rising popularity of Muslim preachers into the big screen.
It’s official that most Indonesian Muslims favor religious preachers who entertain the public, mixing religious advice with jargon and amusing jokes.
Take the late Zainuddin MZ, who enjoyed success in the 1980s and early 1990s, and Abdullah Gymnastiar a.k.a. Aa Gym, who rose to fame for his composed performances and modest sermons that enchanted many women.
The next generation of preachers includes Arifin Ilham, Yusuf Mansur, Mamah Dede and TV personality-turned-public preacher Jefry al Bukhori. Mass media has played a critical role in their rise, turning religious speeches into entertaining programs.
Preacher Ummi Aminah (left, played by veteran Nani Wijaya) talks with her husband, called Abah (Rasyid Karim) in filmmaker Aditya Gumay’s latest flick, titled Ummi Aminah. courtesy ofPT Tripar Multivision Plus
Aditya’s latest film, Ummi Aminah, mirrors this phenomenon, highlighting the life of a 68-year-old Islamic preacher named Aminah – popularly known as Ummi Aminah (played by veteran Nani Wijaya) – who finds harmony within family and life in her sermons.
At home, Ummi is depicted as a less-than-perfect yet ordinary woman, who has gone through thick and thin, encountering contentment and agony in dealing with her seven children – two from her previous marriage and five from her second husband, Abah (a name that means “father”), played by veteran actor Rasyid Karim.
Outside her home, she is a busy woman, delivering speeches from one event to another, while at home she gives her children a shoulder to cry on. Each child has his or her own dilemma, occasionally draining Aminah’s energy, physically and mentally.
Aminah’s eldest and richest son, Umar (Gatot Brajamusti), finds it hard to deal with his wife Risma (Yessy Gusman), who thinks that his extended family takes advantage of his wealth.
Aminah’s daughter Zarika is a successful business woman who has yet to be married, while her other son, Zainal (Ali Zainal), struggles to find additional income to feed his wife, daughter and future baby.
The twist is brought out through Zidan (Ruben Onsu), Aminah’s feminine-looking son who runs a beauty salon. The contrast in reactions between Aminah and Abah in dealing with the issue, a quite sensitive topic in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority population, is indeed an attention-grabbing scene in the film.
Similar to Aa Gym, who fell from grace for his unpopular decision to practice polygamy, Aminah’s family affair has also caused a tragic fall.
In an instant, her popularity is destroyed. Her partisans were displeased by a series of controversial issues faced by her children, including the news of her son’s arrest by the police.
The social network also heats up with circulating rumors that one of her four daughters has an affair with a married man.
Aditya is no novice in incorporating religious themes in his films. He previously created the critically acclaimed drama Emak Ingin Naik Haji (Mother Wants To Go on Haj), which was nominated in six categories at the 2009 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) and won the Best Director award at the 2010 Bandung Film Festival.
Aditya once again teams up with screenwriter Adenin Adlan for this project after their work on children’s movie Rumah Tanpa Jendela (A House without A Window) and Emak Ingin Naik Haji. Together, they blend emotional and humorous anecdotes, slipping in mother-daughter, mother-son and father-son moments. Some jokes, though, feel a little redundant and over exaggerated.
In her role, Nani is as good as ever, showcasing her skill, which comes from years of experience on the industry. Rasyid Karim, who once took home the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2010 FFI for his role in an award-winning religious drama 3 Hati 2 Dunia 1 Cinta (Three Hearts Two Worlds One Love), is an equal match.
The young talents – Genta Windi, Ruben Onsu and Zee Zee Sahab – steal the show through their solid performances.
Veteran Atie Kanser, named Best Actress at the 2010 FFI for her role as Emak in Emak Ingin Naik Haji, also gives a noted performance through her brief appearance as Aminah’s loyal housemaid, Mak Inah.
After a string of emotive moments, Aditdya saves the best emotional moment for last, presenting an effective climax for the finale.
Verdict: Ummi Aminah offers a glimpse into a different side of a cleric, showcasing that she also faces a hard life just like an ordinary human being.
Ummi Aminah
(105 minutes, PT Tripar Multivision Plus)
Starring: Nani Wijaya, Rasyid Karim, Paramitha Rusady, Ali Zainal, Revalina S. Temat, Ali Zainal, Atie Kanser, Ruben Onsu, Gatot Brajamusti
Director: Aditya Gumay
Writer: Adenin Adlan, Aditya Gumay
Producer: Raam Punjabi
