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Jakarta Post

A gray world on the silver screen

In between: The scandal involving high-class prostitute Jamila unfolds a tragic story of a child trafficking victim (Courtesy of Satu Merah Panggung and MVP Pictures) A prostitute, a high-profile scandal and a healthy dose of romance are typical ingredients for an Indonesian movie

Anissa S. Febrina (The Jakarta Post)
JAKARTA
Sat, April 18, 2009

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A gray world on the silver screen

In between: The scandal involving high-class prostitute Jamila unfolds a tragic story of a child trafficking victim (Courtesy of Satu Merah Panggung and MVP Pictures)

A prostitute, a high-profile scandal and a healthy dose of romance are typical ingredients for an Indonesian movie.

But, if one adds the not-so-entertaining issue of trafficking in women, a movie could potentially be interesting enough to be worth seeing at the cinema, especially in times when Indonesian cinema is still dominated by low-budget B-movies.

A silver-screen adaptation of seasoned theater director Ratna Sarumpaet’s play, Jamila dan Sang Presiden (Jamila and The President), which is scheduled to hit theaters on April 30, is one that offers a break from the routine. And a hope that Indonesian moviegoers will get to see something worthwhile for a change.

Behind the usual mix of beautiful faces, Jamila tries to depict the grim reality of those whose existence we are rarely aware of: victims of child and women trafficking.

“The issue has grown ever more serious, but we – the larger public – still tend to turn a blind eye,” said Ratna, who directed both the play and the movie.

“It is a challenge to raise awareness of such an issue, as well as present it as entertainment.”

Opening with a scene of the country shocked by the murder of a minister, the movie proceeds with the present-flashback storyline of the life of Jamila, a prostitute who confesses to the crime.

In between 2: The changing relationship between strict warden Sri (left) played by Christine Hakim and Jamila (right) played by Atiqah Hasiholan portrays humanity at work. (Courtesy of Satu Merah Panggung and MVP Pictures)
The changing relationship between strict warden Sri (left) played by Christine Hakim and Jamila (right) played by Atiqah Hasiholan portrays humanity at work. (Courtesy of Satu Merah Panggung and MVP Pictures)

“Jamila is a victim,” said lead actress Atiqah Hasiholan, who also played the same role in the theater version.

“A victim of life, of having no choice as a child, sold by her father, and even less and less choice as she becomes trapped in the world of prostitution.”

Aside from its tearjerking theme of child trafficking victims’ fates, Jamila is also a reminder of the grayness of life and the pretentiousness of our society. Ratna’s favorite scene, for example, is one the audience can easily relate to: the everyday scene of street protests by religious groups against something “condemned” by their teaching.

“Although the movie is about trafficking women, I still enjoyed the scene where Fauzi [Baadila], who plays a youth religious group activist, is in a discussion with his father, who scolded him for being paid to take part in a street protest,” Ratna explained.

It is a shame that issues like human trafficking and prostitution still occur in a country with a supposedly mostly religious population, Ratna added.

“Labeling people black or white will not solve the problem.”

Such touches of humanity are present in every character in the movie.

“At first, my interpretation of Jamila was as the regular slutty prostitute,” Atiqah said.

Later on during the process, she was directed to delve into the character of a prostitute who was also simply a regular woman.

It was quite an achievement for Ratna to be able to translate what was initially a very strong and expressive play, under the title of Pelacur dan Sang Presiden (A Prostitute and The President), into a lighter, more entertaining silver-screen version, which would still convey the same message.

The play itself was the result of several months of surveying the human trafficking issue sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), which, in 2005, asked Ratna to write a play for its campaign, an offer that she only accepted after seeing the reality for herself.

Technicalities aside, even a warm welcome from the audience did not guarantee a paved road to a silver screen adaptation, as the theme was one regular movie investors were unfamiliar with. Ratna had to wait a couple of years before finally being able to make the movie.

Being a theater director, Ratna already knew who she wanted for certain characeters.

Seasoned actresses Christine Hakim and Ria Irawan were handpicked for the respective roles of an uptight, strict warden and Jamila’s fellow prostitute.

“Some characters seem to have a minor role, but if played by the right person, they can convey a deeper message,” Ratna said.

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