Jajang C. Noor becomes film director

Jajang C. Noor becomes film director

By Marselli Sumarno

JAKARTA (JP): Women film directors are scarce in Indonesia.
Ida Farida is one among the few. Some are nonactive, or, like
Sofia W. D., have died. Now, Jajang C. Noer, 42, has declared
herself a director.

The widow of prominent theater/film director Arifin C. Noer
has been involved since December 1996 in the production of the
10-episode TV miniseries Bukan Perempuan Biasa (No Ordinary
Woman).

According to Jajang (pronounced yayang), the story was written
by her husband at the beginning of their marriage 16 years ago.
The story originally bore the title of Lima Lelaki Mabuk (Five
Drunken Men) and was to be produced for the cinema. It was
offered to Raam Punjabi, the Multivision producer who has lately
been very active in producing films for television.

Arifin C. Noer had finished only seven episodes when he died.
Jajang asked writer Arswendo Atmowiloto to finalize the script
for the remaining three episodes.

It is a pity, said Jajang, that the plan to bring Arifin's
story to the screen had been halted for one year. The producer
rejected having Jajang direct the film. "However, finally, as
Arifin's wife I convinced the producer that I knew my husband's
work best and was the most suitable to handle its filming," she
added.

And so Jajang, who was initially known as a theater and film
actress, sometimes in films and plays directed by Arifin, has
become a director. It is certainly noteworthy. It is also
interesting that Bukan Perempuan Biasa stars Christine Hakim, a
great name in Indonesian films. "While the production of national
films is slack at present, I see nothing wrong in working for the
booming TV-film industry," she said at a press conference.

What is the attraction in Arifin C. Noer's story? It depicts
the fate of Menul (played by Christine Hakim) who must obey her
parents' order that she marry a man chosen by her father. Menul
refuses to give in and escapes from her village in Central Java.
She is later raped by five drunken men and left pregnant.

After 25 years, we see Menul earning her living as a masseuse.
Her illegitimate child is a beautiful girl about to graduate from
university (played by Dessy Ratnasari). Menul's dark past, her
conflicts with her daughter and her courage to maintain her self-
respect are the main themes of the miniseries.

The shooting of Bukan Perempuan Biasa is now 70 percent
finished. Jajang is very busy but finds occasion to express some
of her thoughts.

Below is an excerpt from an interview with her.

Question: How did you prepare for Bukan Perempuan Biasa?

Answer: Actually I only wanted to finish Arifin's work. The
story was bought by the producer and part of the fee had been
paid. Instead of having it handled by another person, I felt I
had to do it by myself. Only I can understand what Arifin wanted.
Arifin wrote many scripts for others, but Bukan Perempuan Biasa
was different because he was to direct it himself. In continuing
Arifin's work, I am ready.

Q: Did Arifin also push you to become a director?

A: Yes. When I assisted Arifin in his work for more than 10
years, he encouraged me to take up directing. I said then that I
was willing to take up the challenge if the story was his. Now,
whether I am ready or not, I must have the courage.

Q: What about directing attracts you?

A: I have now started doing it. But I am not sure about the
future (she laughs). The challenge of creativity is attractive,
but the complexities in the field are daunting. There are
disturbances in the field such as rain, the scheduling of actors.
I may not be talented (she laughs again). The important thing is
to see the result. If the shots filmed are connected, there is
substance. But I do not know whether the soul is already there.

Q: When you were assisting Arifin, were you essentially his
assistant director?

A: Yes, indeed. I got my knowledge and my insight from Arifin.
But honestly, I am still doubtful. I do not feel I have the
brains of a director. Now every time I am about to create a
scene, I discuss it with the production crew, especially the
cameraman.

Q: Do you have an obsession with certain themes?

A: I like themes on everyday life. Just ordinary stories like
Bukan Perempuan Biasa. What is special is that in that ordinary
story there is a soul. I feel a soul in Arifin's films, something
we take home with us to reflect upon. I am very anxious about not
being able to introduce a soul into Bukan Perempuan Biasa.

Q: How well do you work with Christine Hakim?

A: Very well. Christine once said that it was good to work
together with me, maybe because we're both women. We hold
frequent discussions. There is always a solution for the acting
problems. I was once an actress. I think Christine is very much
involved in teamwork.