When the movie started, I realized that the movie is an old Indonesian movie. A 1955 movie! A friend who sit next to me said, "this old movie had been damaged, repaired, so it can be watched again, Mit." I'm so happy. I never watch such movie in the era when my grandmother still young. Therefore I am ready to enjoy it!
Unlike the posters which look like romance-XXX movie, Usmar Ismail's film is about a former army after the Indonesian proclamation. I did not suspect that people in that era more creative than today. Especially their story ideas. However, due to many different cultures and styles with the present, many people in a theater could only laugh at it so unfortunately they pass the great meaning of this movie, a movie that shows us a new vision.
I can not laugh at it, I adore it. Because of this movie, I can imagine how the ancient people get along to each other, their style, their slang sentences, how they are partying, dancing, joking and singing with Rasa Sayange song. Because of this movie, I know "pretty girl" in that era: chubby with little cute eyes. Which makes me understand why my grandmother became an idol in that era. (: I was very fascinated when I saw how beautiful the city of Bandung 57 years ago. Wide and clean sidewalks, beautiful shops, great atmosphere and comfortable swing. It's beautiful. It's a movie that made with the thought of that era. How can we not enjoy it? I was like in the time machine!
Besides enjoying the beauty of old Indonesia, the main character was very cute! Iskandar (played by AN Alcaff) a former soldier who wants to start a new life as civilians. When he starts a civilian life, he lived with his girlfriend, Norma (played by Netty Herath) and her families. To pass the time, the soon-to-be-father-in-law gave him a job as a government employee. But as he often insulted by his office mate, he hit him, causing him removed from his job. Therefore, he tried to find a new job from his old friends from the army who now have their own business. But during his search, he find that corruption is rampant and so far he fought only for his superior wealth. Iskandar here looks very confused, upset, unstable, and stupid. Not a few viewers said, "really stupid!" and then upset because he thinks the movie is "crap."
I felt sorry but at the same time I'm happy too. Happy because it means Alcaff successfully act as the stupid Iskandar. I felt sorry because of the audience who did not want to see more deeply about this story. That this is actually a very sad story, about a soldier who had been living in a war, every day was ordered to kill, then go home and live in city full of party. Former soldiers after war need to adapt to begin new lives as civilians, but no one understood except his girlfriend. Who is not confused with that situation? Especially when he finally knows that a family he killed was actually not the enemy, but actually a victim of Iskandar's leader, Gunawan. That's why Iskandar was so angry and kill his leader. So it is very rational when Iskandar acting dazed, stress, unstable, and of course stupid. Like American movies today which shows how the war made the young soldier stress and act stupid, 57 years ago Indonesian movie had already tried to show it.
At the end of the film, when the viewers can not wait to leave the studio, there is a message written on the movie in a very ancient font:
Kepada mereka jang telah memberikan sebesar-besar pengorbanan njawa mereka, supaja kita jang hidoep pada saat ini dapat menikmati segala kelezatan boeah kemerdekaan. Kepada mereka jang tidak menoentoet apapoen boeat diri mereka sendiri. (To those who have given the greatest sacrifice their lives, so that we who live today can enjoy all the delights of freedom. To those who do not demand anything for themselves).
I read it in earnest. I disagree. Those who fight for our freedom today is not only sacrificing their lives, but also unwittingly sacrificing their mental. I'm sure a lot of Iskandars whose hearts cry out for help but no one listened to him, understand him.
The movie succesfully present a new view of the misery of our independence heroes. Thank you, all Iskandars, the true warrior. Thank-you's never enough. But I promise you, I'll always be grateful and be the best from your struggles and sacrifices.
PS: Long live Indonesia! Happy 67th birthday!