Indonesia loses its best film director
Indonesia loses its best film director
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia lost one of its best film directors early yesterday morning.
Wim Umboh, who was also a film producer, died of a diabetes complication and a light stroke at the Husada hospital. he was 62. He is survived by Inne Ermina Chomid, his third wife, and two children.
"There were no last words. Just empty and long glances all the time in the last few days," Inne told journalists at the artist's home in the suburb of Depok.
Artists and public figures including Dewi Yul, Ray Sahetapy, Rima Melati, Lidya Kandouw, Sophan Sophiaan and Deputy House Speaker Soerjadi were present yesterday.
"I was with him all the time. He fervently refused an operation suggested by the doctor," Inne said, unable to hold back the tears.
Wim was first admitted to Cinere hospital Monday morning before being transferred to Husada hospital in the afternoon.
"He seemed restless after sahur (predawn meal) on Monday. Somehow I felt a foreboding. When I combed his hair, Papi (father) Wim was more handsome than usual. Before my mother died, she appeared extremely beautiful too," Inne said.
Wim directed 39 films since the 1950s, 10 of which grabbed the prestigious Citra Award. He also introduced the Indonesian film industry to new techniques such as cinemascope in Macan Kemayoran, colored film Sembilan and 70 millimeter film Mama.
Successful
He was buried at the Jeruk Purut public cemetery in Kemang, South Jakarta, yesterday afternoon.
"We have lost a great producer who successfully combined commercial and artistic elements in his films," according to Putu Wijaya, a noted playwright and theater director.
Teguh Karya, another leading film director, remembers vividly Wim's enthusiasm and dedication to produce good films.
"We need to emulate Wim's enthusiasm, we'd probably need twenty extra doses to beat Wim's enthusiasm to advance our movie industry," Teguh said.
"New great directors will answer the needs and questions of their time but there'll never be a second Wim," he added.
Film director Misbach Jusa Biran noted Wim's zest for life.
"When I saw him last week, even though he could not even light his own cigarette, he said that he was perfectly fine," he said.
Another actor and film director, Slamet Rahardjo, lamented the loss of Wim.
"There won't be a substitute after his death. We will only inherit the lessons he left behind. The late Wim was an innovator, always reaching for the light ahead," he said.
However Sophan Sophiaan, an actor and film director who was groomed by Wim, noted the deceased's egotistical shortcomings.
"When he got angry and knew that he was wrong in front of the public, he was less than likely to admit his fallacies and preferred to leave instead. Only in private would he admit to his unreasoned anger," he said. (14).
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