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'Galih & Ratna' love story returns with a modern touch
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The main characters in "Galih & Ratna, Refal Hady (left) and Sheryl Sheinafia (right). (filmgalihdanratna.com/File)
One of Indonesia’s legendary couples, Galih and Ratna, are set to return to the big screen with a modern touch.
Galih & Ratna is based on the classic novel and renowned 1979 film Gita Cinta dari SMA (Love Song in High School).
Directed by Lucky Kuswandi, the movie begins with a scene where Rano Karno, who portrayed Galih in the 1979 film, meets with Yessy Gusman, who played Ratna in the original movie, in a train station. Afterwards, the scene changes into the modern version of Galih and Ratna, starred by Refal Hady and Sheryl Sheinafia, respectively, standing together inside the train.
Read also: Modern version of ‘Galih & Ratna’ celebrates unforgettable first love
The audience is then brought to the past where Ratna has just moved to Bogor to live with her aunt, Tantri, because her father has to work abroad. During her first day at school, she meets her new classmates, one of whom is Galih, who is considered uncool by her friends. Ratna seems to think otherwise and later meets Galih at the school yard; both are apparently attracted to each other. In one scene, Ratna is found to be surprised that Galih still listens to music using a Walkman, while the boy seems intrigued when Ratna can identify a 1980 hit “Sakura” by Fariz RM.
As their feelings toward each other get stronger, Galih gives Ratna a mixtape, which is said to be a form of love letter in the old days. After listening to it, Ratna then meets Galih and their romance starts from there.
To add some drama to the love story, Galih is portrayed as still clinging to his late father's memory. Meanwhile, Ratna is still undecided about her own future. The difference in social class also poses a challenge to their relationship.
Read also: ‘Galih & Ratna’ remake to hold music concert in February
The movie is quite captivating, especially due to the cameo of the movie's former cast. Lucky has shared that he initially only asked for a blessing from Rano Karno, Yessy Gusman and the novel’s writer, Eddy D. Iskandar, prior to making the movie. “But later on we decided to make a tribute to Rano Karno and Yessy Gusman,” he said during a press conference in Jakarta. “In ‘Gita Cinta’ they were separated at a train station, so I really wanted them to meet each other again in the same location and recreate the scene for the new movie.”
Several renowned actors also star in the movie, such as Ayu Diah Pasha, Joko Anwar, Hengky Tornando, Marissa Anita and Sari Koeswoyo.
Galih & Ratna is set to premiere across Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei on March 9. (kes)
