'Vonis Kepagian' series wins most outstanding melodrama
JAKARTA (JP): Vonis Kepagian (Premature Verdict) was named the most outstanding television melodrama at this year's Sinetron Festival last night.
The series, directed by veteran director Dedi Setiadi and produced by PT Modulasari Griya Produksi, also won best sinetron, as melodrama is popularly known in Indonesia, in the category for drama.
The Vidya Award for the most outstanding sinetron was presented by Minister of Information Harmoko, who closed the three-hour event packed with local celebrities at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center. The award ceremony was aired live on all local television stations.
The third Sinetron Festival, which presents the Vidya Awards (equivalent to Emmy Awards) to the best in the sinetron industry, has become the only celebratory event for the Indonesian film community to showcase their talents.
The nation's motion picture industry has been in the doldrums and has stopped giving out awards. The last ceremony to present a Citra, the local equivalent of the Oscar, was held in l992.
The ceremony last night failed to live up to expectations in spite of the glittering presence of the TV and film stars.
The masters of ceremony, Dono and Indro were handicapped without Casino, the other member of the Warkop's comedy trio. They looked awkward and uncomfortable in their blue sailor suits designed by Samuel Watimmena.
The musical performances, featuring Indra Lesmana and his wife Sophia Latjuba, God Bless's Achmad Albar and Nicky Astria and others were accompanied by Purwacaraka Big Band which added some life to the evening.
Like the Emmy ceremony, the night was a parceling out of awards for the melodrama business. But unlike the Emmy, winners were whisked away as soon as they had collected their prizes, without the chance to express their thank yous or whatnots, which could have livened up the evening.
Veteran Ali Shahab was named best director in the comedy category for his Angkot Haji Imron (Haj Imron's minivan), while Jonggi Sihombing won best director in the drama category for Norma.
Si Doel Anak Sekolahan III (Doel the Graduate), directed by Rano Karno won this year's best sinetron series.
The best cinematography accolade went to Rudi K. and Suprayogi in Anaku Terlahir Kembali (My Baby is Reborn).
The best actress award in the drama category was won by Ayu Azhari for her role in Noktah Merah Perkawinan (Red Spot in Marriage). Newcomer Ira Riswara won best comedy actress in Angkot Haji Imron.
Best drama actor went to debutante Herdin Hidayat in Norma, while the best comic actor was awarded to the late Benjamin S for Begaya F.M.
For best supporting comic roles, Ulfa Dwiyanti was awarded for her role in Begaya F.M., while Trisno was named best supporting actor Suami-Suami Takut Istri, (Husbands who Fear Wives).
Best comedy series went to Angkot Haji Imron (Haj Imron's Minivan) which is shown on SCTV, best comedy went to Suami-Suami Takut Istri directed by Imam Tantowi and run on An-teve.
The festival awarded Harry Sabar as best music director in Singgasana Brama Kumbara (Brama Kumbara Throne), and best original screenwriter went to Imam Tantowi for Suami-Suami.
Based on TV ratings by Survey Research Indonesia in five cities including Jakarta, Bandung (West Java), Medan (North Sumatra) and Surabaya (East Java), Si Doel Anak Sekolahan III, was named favorite sinetron. This is the second time running that the series has won the award.
Children's programs and actors were also in the spotlight. This year the committee awarded Lenong Bocah, directed by Sobri S. and produced by education station Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia. Lenong Bocah is based on the Lenong Betawi (old Jakarta) style of drama which is played by children.
The committee named Niken Ayu best child actress for her role in Noktah Merah Perkawinan.
The committee evaluated 784 episodes from 126 TV series in the categories of drama, comedy, drama series, comedy series and non- fiction including documentary, education, information, culture and tourism.
The committee honored a foreign participant, Malaysia's BHD Home Video which produced Senja Kesunyian, for their involvement in the local sinetron industry. (raw)