Mathias Muchus is to be the only actor from the original cast to be involved in the film, which carries the working title Losmen Bu Broto (Mrs. Broto's Inn).

Instead of reprising his old role as Tarjo, the youngest son of the Brotos, Mathias will play his father's character.

“It is a bigger challenge for me as an actor to impersonate the character of Pak Broto for the modern version of the series,” Mathias said in an online press conference on Wednesday.

Robert Ronny of Paragon Pictures said the involvement of Mathias in the film was crucial as a character reference.

“We need the best and experienced actors to revive the legendary characters, as well as the most-sought young actors nowadays,” he added.

The central character, Bu Broto, is to be played by Maudy Koesnaedi.

“Fortunately, there is enough documentation on Bu Broto for me to learn about the character, and [Mathias] Muchus has also helped by describing her,” said Maudy.

“The director and the producer have also helped in the workshop to create the characters for the film,” said Maudy, accepting the challenge to play the iconic character originally played by Mieke Wijaya.

Director Ifa Ifansyah, who will helm the project together with Eddie Cahyono, said the film would have different tones to the original.

“The visualization will be a stark contrast with the series. We will do our best to maintain the old characters, but they will have different perspectives to relate to the current era,” said Ifa.

The series revolves around the daily events at the modest inn run by Mrs. Broto with the help of her husband, three children and a staffer named Atmo.

Set in Yogyakarta, the innkeepers wear traditional Javanese attire and speak in the local dialect. The series was said to start a new chapter in Indonesian drama production.

A feature film loosely based on the series and released in 1987, Penginapan Bu Broto, centered on the eldest daughter in the quest to find her a husband.

Ideosource Entertainment executive producer Andi Boediman said he had come up with the idea to reboot the series as a film as a reminder of the morals and values conveyed in each episode.

“I grew up with the series, and I realized each episode has its own messages and impact on society at the time, an influence we hardly find in today’s soapy drama,” he said.

“It is interesting that the series depicted Bu Broto as the pillar of the family, the leader who holds on to her own aspirations. I found such character in my personal life, and it also reflects many Indonesian women. I’d like to dedicate this film to the women of Indonesia.”

Tatiek Maliyati, who created the series with her husband Wahyu Sihombing, was also involved in the filmmaking.

“At the time, we carried a mission that all content aired on TVRI had to convey moral values. I hope the film can once again resound those messages in Losmen,” she said.

Film producer Pandu Birantoro promised that the film would stay in line with the energy and the spirit of the series.

“Even at the time, the Broto family tackled issues that were considered progressive. The film version would portray a family dealing with issues relevant today, but not without the wisdom and charm that people still remember from the old series.” (ste)

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