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