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20 questions: Ernest Prakasa talks comedy behind the scenes
With two Citra Awards on his mantel, the 40-year-old Jakarta native is living proof that a stand-up comic can successfully cross over to the realm of cinema.
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Funny cinema: Some of the feature films Ernest Prakasa has directed include, but are not limited to, 'Ngenest' (2015), 'Cek Toko Sebelah' (2016), 'Susah Sinyal' (2017) and 'Teka-Teki Tika' (2021).
(Courtesy of HAHAHA CORP)
20 questions is a column where we interview some of the country’s most intriguing artists, celebrities, academics, activists, leaders and industry players, as well as ‘regular’ people who have made notable achievements.
With the launch of his film production house Imajinari, the commercial success of its first feature film Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap, which received five nominations at this year's Indonesian Film Festival, and the announcement of the sequel to his acclaimed family comedy Cek Toko Sebelah, Ernest Prakasa seems to have cemented himself as one of the most prolific actors, comedians, directors, writers and producers of 2022 and beyond.
With two Citra Awards on his mantel, the 40-year-old Jakarta native is living proof that a stand-up comic can successfully cross over to the realm of cinema.
You turned 40 in January. What has it been like so far?
It was tough at first, but as I’ve gone on, I have gotten the hang of it. I used to feel shocked whenever I was reminded that I'm already 40. I was like, "Huh?" But, slowly, I was like, “Oh, well. That means I'll be 50 in 10 years” [laughs]. I was totally overthinking it, but the changing milestone from being a 30-something to being a 40-something felt completely like poles apart. Like, "Just accept your fate of being called 'Sir'. You're in your 40s anyway."
Let's take a walk down memory lane for a second. Do you remember when you realized you were funny?
I think it was back in primary school. I was a typical class clown. I always made my friends laugh. When I do something and my friends laugh afterward, I feel excited about it. I tasted that sort of sensation back when I was in primary school. My father, who is an avid comedy lover, also helped cultivate it. I grew up with comedy tapes that he loved to play. And then, [Indonesian broadcast television network] RCTI came on with its sitcoms and I got to enjoy comedy more. I never felt like, "Oh, I'm funny!" Instead, it was like, "Oh, making people laugh is fun!"
