Putu offers intrigue, greed to the masses

JAKARTA (JP): Intrigue has always inspired one of Indonesia's foremost writers and theater icons, Putu Wijaya, to create award- winning works. But nothing inspires him more than society's problems.

Having at least twice snatched up the FFI film award, he is launching yet another of his local social dramas on TPI, titled Intrik (Intrigue).

"This one focuses on 'big children'," Putu said, adding that the drama zooms in on an elite family's worst and most well- hidden problems.

Intrik will tell of the extent four children will go to in order to inherit their father's fortune and one child's adamant refusal of the same.

"Everybody speaks of cursing victimizers, the extent they go to... but no one can really tell the extent to which a human being... a victim, can endure pain. This is what Intrik is about."

The 13-episode TV drama produced by PT Putu Wijaya Mandiri Production was shot entirely in Jakarta two months ago. The drama starring Amak Baljun, Mien Brojo, Dian Nitami and Monica Oenardi will be aired on Tuesdays beginning March 24 at 9 a.m.

Putu, who was born in April 1944 in Tabanan, Bali, has written dozens of TV dramas and various notable novels, including Telegram, Bila Malam Bertambah Malam (As the Night Gets Darker) and Edan (Crazy). As founder of production house PT Putu Wijaya Mandiri Production, Putu is also head of Teater Mandiri, in Jakarta. (02)