Film on Jakarta slated for next year

JAKARTA (JP): Filmmakers are hoping to complete a film about the history of Jakarta in time for next year's celebration of the capital's 469th anniversary.

"God willing, the film will be ready for viewing by June 22, 1997," Johan Tjasmadi, the head of the Association of Movie House Operators, said yesterday.

Johan and several others proposed the idea of a film on the city's history a few years ago. A lack of funds delayed the process, he said after meeting Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

We need Rp 3 billion (US$1.3 million) while only Rp 1 billion has been made available so far, Johan said. Fifty percent is likely to be spent on the sets, he said.

"The governor said he supports our efforts," he added.

The film involves two popular directors, Chaerul Umam and Iman Tantowi, while well-known script writer Misbach Yusa Biran has developed the latest version of the script, originally written by Asrul Sani and Rosihan Anwar.

Misbach said the filmmakers consulted historian Uka Tjandrasasmita, an expert on the development of Islam.

Misbach said the film will depict the struggle which led to the city's birth. The fight was led by Fatahillah, a religion teacher assigned to defend the city against the Portuguese. The city was then centered around the Sunda Kelapa port.

Johan said the film will probably run at theaters for up to three months, at least in Jakarta. (anr)