Guess What? Lola Amaria

Many critics snipe that TV films here lack depth. But Lola Amaria, the star of Penari (Dancer), faced a tougher challenge than what critics expect from many local artists.

She was willing to go the distance to learn more about her character, in line with the demands of director Nan T. Achnas.

Lola, 21, played Sila, an exotic dancer in the drama adapted from Seno Adjie Gumira's short story The Death of a Stripper.

"The role that I had to act is a dancer, a concubine and a girl from a broken family. My life experience is nothing close to that, so I had to do thorough research," said Lola.

The finalist in the Femina women's magazine beauty contest last year answered the challenge by taking a crash lesson from choreographer Acan Rachman, who taught her basic Javanese dance and other movements.

Realizing that this would not be enough, she visited an exotic dance bar in downtown Kota. "I tried to observe as much as possible from the professional stripper's body language."

The newcomer may have to study a lot more before she fulfills her obsession to act on the big screen. In the meantime, she is looking forward to her next job and working with well-known actor Didi Petet. Penari will be aired by ANteve on Sept. 13. (46)