TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
‘Surat dari Praha’ awarded best film, director
A scene in Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto (Courtesy of Pic(k) Lock)Surat dari Praha (Letters from Prague) swept three categories, including Best Film at the Usmar Ismail Awards on Saturday
Change Size
A scene in Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto (Courtesy of Pic(k) Lock)
Surat dari Praha (Letters from Prague) swept three categories, including Best Film at the Usmar Ismail Awards on Saturday.
Angga Dwimas Sasongko, who was named Best Director at the awards ceremony held at Balai Kartini, South Jakarta, said that the idea to make the film was born out of his research on the hidden history of Indonesia.
“My research led me to the exiled Indonesians. I hope the film opens our eyes in unraveling the story of the nation,” he said in his speech.
Actor Chico Jericho, who coproduced the film with Anggia Kharisma and Glenn Fredly, hopes the awards inspire the filmmakers.
“The film is my first coproduction. Now I have the confidence to work on more inspiring films,” he said.
Tio Pakusadewo was named Best Actor for his role as an exiled scientist who defends his beliefs.
“I think it is high time for us actors to develop ourselves in a more credible professional association,” he said in a speech.
Best Actress went to Sekar Sari for her role as the titular character in the film Siti.
Held for the first time, the awards was organized by a foundation helmed by the family and filmmakers related to the legendary director dubbed the Father of Indonesian Films by founding president Sukarno.
A panel of judges consisting of 19 film journalists and critics selected the winners out of 149 films screened in theaters from Dec. 1, 2014 to Feb. 29.
Selection was not based on submission, hence the absence of storyscapes and scriptwriter categories.
Two other films nominated were Garin Nugroho’s Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto and Joko Anwar’s A Copy of My Mind.
Guru Bangsa was voted Favorite Film while its main actor Reza Rahadian was named Favorite Actor by viewers. Trans7, which aired the ceremony live. The viewers also voted Tara Basro Favorite Actress for her role in A Copy of My Mind.
The ceremony was livened up by performances from singers Once Mekel, Shandy Sondoro, Virzha, Isyana Sarasvati and many others.
Other winners were seasoned actor Adi Kurdi for Best Supporting Actor in Kapan Kawin? (When Will You Get Married?) and veteran actress Christine Hakim for Best Supporting Actress in Pendekar Tongkat Emas (Golden Cane Warrior). Best Artistic Director went to Allan Sebastian (Guru Bangsa), while Best Music Director was awarded to Viky Sianipar for his work in Bulan di Atas Kuburan (Moon over the Cemetery).
Also a partner in the awards, the National Library awarded film Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto for its research, while the judges gave out a special award to the late film journalist SM Ardan for his documentation of Indonesian films.
