Remake of Pak Kasur film premiered

JAKARTA (JP): Amrin Membolos (Amrin Plays Hooky), a remake of Pak Kasur's 1961 children's film of the same title, premiered at the Teater Djakarta on Saturday.

The premiere was attended by hundreds of children, for whom the name of Pak Kasur and perhaps even the name of his wife, Ibu Kasur, the producer of the new version, were unfamiliar.

But many of the mothers and fathers who came along remembered Pak Kasur well, not solely as the original film's producer, but more as the former host of a TV program for under-fives.

"This film was one of the obsessions of the late Pak Kasur, who dreamed about making as many children's films as possible," Ibu Kasur said in the film's introduction.

Pak Kasur ran several kindergartens in Jakarta during his lifetime in addition to running his popular TV program. He died in 1992 at the age of 79. Ibu Kasur was equally popular, continuing the TV program into the 1970s before its popularity faded.

The remake of the film, whose story has been reset in the 1990s, was supported by the Setia Balita Foundation, whose patron is Siti Hutami Endang Adiningsih Pratikto, President Soeharto's youngest daughter.

The children who performed in the 1961 version, including two of Ibu Kasur's children, Sur and Nining, gave their support to the new version, which was produced by PT. Syam Studio Film Corp.

Proceeds from Saturday's premiere were donated to the Harapan Kita Foundation to help care for children with physical disabilities.

The film tells about Amrin, an 11-year old who is clever, diligent and obedient to his wealthy parents. His chief weakness is his solidarity to his friends in the roller-blade team, to the point where he skips school in order to practice and play for the team.

Amrin is played by Don Bogard. The film also involves Mandra, Pak Tile and Suti Karno, the cast of the popular TV series Si Doel Anak Sekolahan.

The film will be soon screened in cinemas across Jakarta. (05)