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‘Kadet 1947’ film inspired by Indonesia’s first airstrikes
Kadet 1947 tells the true story of seven aviation students who conducted Indonesia's first airstrikes, targeting the Dutch army.
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'Kadet 1947', a drama film inspired by Indonesia's first airstrikes, is supported by the Indonesian Air Force. (Shutterstock/ Fer Gregory)
A
drama film inspired by the history of Indonesia’s first airstrikes in 1947 is currently in production.
A post shared by Film Kadet 1947 (@kadet1947) on
Titled Kadet 1947, the film started shooting in March as it was planned to be released in August to commemorate Indonesia’s 75th Independence Day, but it had to be postponed due to COVID-19.
Dewi Umaya, co-producer of Kadet 1947, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that the postponement did not prevent the production team and actors from staying productive. “The actors can still train [for their roles], while the creative team can make use of this moment to strengthen their work,” Dewi said. “We’ve built our set in Wonosari district [Yogyakarta] and our challenge is to keep it as it is.”
Directed and penned by Rahabi Mandra and Aldo Swastia, Kadet 1947 tells the story of seven young Indonesian kadet (military students) of Maguwo Aviation School in Yogyakarta who conducted airstrikes against the Dutch army in Ambarawa and Semarang, Central Java, on July 29, 1947. The attacks were executed despite limitations in weaponry and equipment following the first Dutch military aggression in the same year.
Read also: Ruling puts Dutch in spotlight over past crimes
According to the Indonesian Air Force’s website, the incident is barely talked about even though it marked Indonesia’s first airstrikes. “That’s what makes this incident interesting,” Rahabi said. “We have the chance to reveal the story, unlike other incidents that have been narrated in history books.”
Supported by the Indonesian Air Force, as part of the preproduction process, the film researched weaponry, the lives of military students and social backgrounds at the time. The actors also went through a three-day military boot camp held by the Air Force.
“During the reading process, we imagined the characters who lived in 1947,” said actor Baskara Mahendra, who plays the role of Sutardjo Sigit. “It’s clearly different, the language and how the students behaved.”
Produced by Temata Studios and supported by production houses Screenplay Films and Legacy Pictures, the cast of Kadet 1947 also features Kevin Julio, Ajil Ditto, Samo Rafael, Ario Bayu, Ibnu Jamil, Tatyana Akman and Lutesha. (wng)
