Paying homage: Soekarno — a man of principles

Indonesian embassy screens film on life of country’s first president

ISLAMABAD: In a tribute to Indonesia’s first president Sukarno, a film based on his life and political legacy was screened at the Indonesian embassy on Saturday evening. The film was the first feature of the third film festival held at the embassy.

Indonesian Ambassador Burhan Muhammad welcomed guests, who included people from different walks of life including diplomats, government officials and businessmen. He shared that Sukarno declared Indonesia a free nation, emerging from the destruction and chaos of the Second World War.

The spelling ‘Sukarno’ is frequently used in English, as it is based on the more recent official spelling in Indonesia since 1947. But the older spelling Soekarno, based on Dutch orthography, is still used mainly because he signed his name in the old spelling.

Directed by Hanung Bramantyo and written Ben Sihombing, ‘Soekarno’ is a biographical film.

The storyline follows the life of Sukarno, who was born with the name Kusno and was one of the many historical figures who played a part in the fight for Indonesia’s freedom. He was a man of principles and fought from his early childhood until he proclaimed Indonesia’s independence with the country’s first prime minister, Mohammad Hatta.

In 1931, the Dutch East Indies government in Java Island captured Sukarno, who was an aspiring young man and wanted to free Indonesia from Dutch colonialism.

He was then put in Banceuy Prison at Bandung, Indonesia. He found a way to fight back by delivering his famous defence speech, ‘Indonesia Acccuse!’ during his trial at Bandung Landraad Courthouse. He finally returned to Java upon the arrival of the Japanese Army.

The film reveals Sukarno’s qualities as a statesman and a ladies’ man. The movie also gives the audience an insight into the old Indonesia. The setting, costumes, make-up and the ambiance are appropriately constructed to give both casual viewers and history buffs a feel of a bygone era. The film was selected as the Indonesian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards.

“The film is a commendable effort to keep the history alive for many generations and about history that relives the moment of Indonesian proclamation of its independence,” said a guest at the end of the screening.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2015.