About the film on Kartini

About the film on Kartini

It is not very often that one can say that an Indonesian film
is beautiful. Many are without taste, although a few can easily
pass international critics, like the film Cut Nyak Dien, the
story about a woman leader in the fight in Aceh against the Dutch
Indies army.

But on April 21, 1995 I watch the film R.A. Kartini on RCTI,
about a woman from the upper class in Java during the second part
of the 19th century, who fought for the dignity and equality of
Javanese women. It described beautifully her surroundings in the
regent's family in Central Java with its disciplined etiquette,
carried out without compromise despite the regent's love for his
children.

Her efforts to open the eyes of the people around her to the
plight of women was supported by her Dutch friends, which
resulted in the beginning of the education of Javanese women,
which was non-existent before. Kartini, one of the four daughters
of the regent, played beautifully by actress Yenni Rachman, was
the one who had the courage and vision to push her ideals
forward. She is now recognized as an Indonesian pioneer for
women's equality in Indonesia and her birthday on April 21 is
officially celebrated every year.

Despite the beautiful pictures, the good acting and the
beautiful background music, this film has never received an award
here. It would be a pity if the outside world could not see this
film. If the film were dubbed in English or French, more
expatriates would probably be able to get an inside look at the
etiquette of the Javanese gentry and the struggle of a young
woman for the advancement of women. I wish Erasmus Huis of the
Dutch Embassy or the French Cultural Attache would try to contact
RCTI about this film.

S. SASTROWARDOYO

Jakarta