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‘Gundala’: Superheroes are us!
Gundala is a film that inspires because that is what pop-culture superheroes do in modern society. They teach us about right and wrong, bravery, compassion, how to turn adversity into advantage and also how to be true to one’s calling in life.
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The poster for Joko Anwar's 'Gundala'. (Gundala/File)
I
grew up with superheroes — who didn’t? As a child and teen, I devoured Marvel and DC comics with its motley and colorful cast of characters and aspired to fight evil and do good like they did.
But I equally loved our local superhero comic characters, many of whom were inspired by Indonesian legends and folklore. The heyday of Indonesian superhero comics reached its peak in the 1970s and 1980s, but then they seem to have been eclipsed by those produced by their American counterparts. Since the early 2000s we have been living in the golden age of cinematic superheroes courtesy of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe and their movie franchises.
So, I was thrilled to know that Jagat Sinema Bumilangit (Bumilangit Cinematic Universe, BCU), established in 2003, was set up to revive “superheroes-based comic storytelling in Indonesia”.
BCU’s first film, Gundala, directed by award-winning film director Joko Anwar, is inspired by the popular comic superhero Gundala, Putra Petir (Gundala, Son of Thunder) written in 1969 by Harya “Hasmi” Suryaminata. It was released on Aug. 29, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the comic book.
The film’s story line revolves around Sancaka, the orphaned child of a murdered labor activist who struggles on his own through life. He discovers that not only can he survive lightning strikes, but that lightning is the source of his superpowers. He’s a reluctant hero, propelled by circumstances to become Gundala. But his real power comes from accepting his fate and destiny to become a superhero who defends the people. He is the people!
But don’t be deceived or shortchanged when you watch Gundala. It’s so many things all rolled up into one. Talk about layers of an onion!
Firstly, Gundala is a reviver and modernizer of an Indonesian cultural heritage and provides a welcome alternative to Western superheroes for the younger generation. As one reviewer put it, Gundala is not a perfect film, but one that opens the door to the Bumilangit Universe perfectly”.
