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Djadoeg Djajakusuma (; 1 August 1918 – 28 October 1987) was an Indonesian film director and promoter of traditional art forms. Born to a nobleman and his wife in
Temanggung Temanggung Regency () is an inland regency in the Central Java Province of Indonesia. It covers a land area of 870.65 km2 and had a population of 708,546 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 790,174 at the 2020 Census;B ...
,
Central Java Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...
, Djajakusuma became interested in the arts at a young age, choosing to pursue a career in theatre. During the Japanese occupation from 1943 to 1945 he was a translator and actor, and in the four-year
national revolution National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, ce ...
which followed he worked for the
military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a d ...
's educational division, several news agencies, and in drama. In 1951, Djajakusuma joined the National Film Corporation (Perfini) at the invitation of
Usmar Ismail Usmar Ismail (20 March 1921 – 2 January 1971) was an Indonesian film director, author, journalist and revolutionary of Minangkabau descent. He is widely regarded as the native Indonesian pioneer of the cinema of Indonesia. Biography Ismail ...
. After making his directorial debut with ''
Embun ''Embun'' (Indonesian for ''Dewdrop'') is a 1952 film directed by D. Djajakusuma for Perfini in his directorial debut. Plot After the conclusion of the Indonesian National Revolution, Leman ( AN Alcaff) and Barjo (Rd Ismail) go to the national c ...
'', Djajakusuma released a further eleven films with the company before leaving in 1964. He then returned to traditional Indonesian theatre, including ''
wayang ( , ) is a traditional form of puppet theatre play originating from the Indonesian island of Java. The term refers both to the show as a whole and the puppet in particular. Performances of wayang puppet theatre are accompanied by a ''gamel ...
''. Although he continued to direct movies independently of Perfini, most of his energies were dedicated to promoting traditional art forms and teaching cinematography. After over a decade of poor health and high blood pressure, Djajakusuma collapsed during a ceremony and died. He was buried in
Karet Bivak Cemetery Karet Bivak is a cemetery in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is the second largest public graveyard in the city. Description Karet Bivak is located in Central Jakarta, Jakarta. It covers an area of , making it the second-largest cemetery in Jakarta. In 2 ...
. The dedicated but easily angered Djajakusuma was influenced by Usmar Ismail's realist views, although he focused more on traditional aspects of life. His theatrical performances attempted to modernize traditional forms so that they could be better received in a modern world. He is credited with revitalising the
Betawi Betawi may refer to: *Betawi people *Betawi language *Betawi cuisine Betawi cuisine is rich, diverse and eclectic, in part because the Betawi people that create them were composed from numbers of Native Indonesian, regional immigrants that came ...
theatre form ''
lenong ''Lenong'' is a traditional theatrical form of the Betawi people in Jakarta, Indonesia. Description ''Lenong'' is a form of theatre traditional to the Betawi people of Jakarta, Indonesia. Dialogue is generally in the Betawi dialect. Actions ...
'' and received numerous awards for his filmmaking, including a lifetime achievement award at the
Indonesian Film Festival The Indonesian Film Festival ( Indonesian: Festival Film Indonesia, 'FFI') is an annual awards ceremony organised by the Indonesian Film Board and the Ministry of Culture to celebrate cinematic achievements in the Indonesian film industry. Dur ...
.


Biography


Early life

Djajakusuma was born on 1 August 1918 in Parakan,
Temanggung Temanggung Regency () is an inland regency in the Central Java Province of Indonesia. It covers a land area of 870.65 km2 and had a population of 708,546 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 790,174 at the 2020 Census;B ...
,
Central Java Central Java (, ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia, located in the middle of the island of Java. Its administrative capital is Semarang. It is bordered by West Java in the west, the Indian Ocean and the Special Region of Yogya ...
,
Dutch East Indies The Dutch East Indies, also known as the Netherlands East Indies (; ), was a Dutch Empire, Dutch colony with territory mostly comprising the modern state of Indonesia, which Proclamation of Indonesian Independence, declared independence on 17 Au ...
, to a ''
priyayi ''Priyayi'' (also spelled ''Priayi''; Van Ophuijsen Spelling System, former spelling: ''Prijaji'') was the Dutch East Indies, Dutch-era class of the nobles of the robe, as opposed to royal nobility or ''List of Surakarta and Yogyakarta nobility ...
'' father, Raden Mas Aryo Djojokoesomo, and his wife Kasimah. Djajakusuma was the fifth child of six born to the couple, who lived comfortably off Djojokoesomo's salary as a government official. While young he enjoyed watching stage performances, such as ''
wayang ( , ) is a traditional form of puppet theatre play originating from the Indonesian island of Java. The term refers both to the show as a whole and the puppet in particular. Performances of wayang puppet theatre are accompanied by a ''gamel ...
'' puppetry and the traditional dance form ''tayuban''; at times he would furtively leave his home after bedtime to watch the productions. With his friends, he would act out the bedtime stories his mother told him. When imported
Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood ...
films began to be screened, he was an avid viewer, watching
Westerns The Western is a genre of fiction typically set in the American frontier (commonly referred to as the "Old West" or the "Wild West") between the California Gold Rush of 1849 and the closing of the frontier in 1890, and commonly associated wit ...
and works starring
Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered o ...
. Owing to his position as the son of a nobleman, Djajakusuma was able to receive an education. He completed his studies in
Semarang Semarang (Javanese script, Javanese: , ''Kutha Semarang'') is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It was a major port during the Netherlands, Dutch Dutch East Indies, colonial era, and is still an important regio ...
, Central Java, graduating from the
natural science Natural science or empirical science is one of the branches of science concerned with the description, understanding and prediction of natural phenomena, based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation. Mechanisms such as peer ...
s programme at a senior high school there in 1941. Although his family hoped that he would become a government employee like his father, Djajakusuma decided to go into the
performing arts The performing arts are arts such as music, dance, and drama which are performed for an audience. They are different from the visual arts, which involve the use of paint, canvas or various materials to create physical or static art objects. P ...
. He returned to his hometown for a short time before realising that he would have little opportunity in Parakan. Accordingly, in early 1943 – almost a year after the Indies were
occupied ' ( Norwegian: ') is a Norwegian political thriller TV series that premiered on TV2 on 5 October 2015. Based on an original idea by Jo Nesbø, the series is co-created with Karianne Lund and Erik Skjoldbjærg. Season 2 premiered on 10 October ...
by the
Empire of Japan The Empire of Japan, also known as the Japanese Empire or Imperial Japan, was the Japanese nation state that existed from the Meiji Restoration on January 3, 1868, until the Constitution of Japan took effect on May 3, 1947. From Japan–Kor ...
– Djajakusuma moved to the colony's political centre,
Jakarta Jakarta (; , Betawi language, Betawi: ''Jakartè''), officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta (; ''DKI Jakarta'') and formerly known as Batavia, Dutch East Indies, Batavia until 1949, is the capital and largest city of Indonesia and ...
, to find work. Djajakusuma became employed at the Cultural Centre as a translator and actor under
Armijn Pane Armijn Pane (18 August 1908 – 16 February 1970), also known as Adinata, A. Soul, Empe, A. Mada, A. Banner, and Kartono, was an Indonesian author. Life Armijn Pane was born in Moeara Sipongi, Tapanuli, Sumatra, the third of eight children. He ...
. Among the works he translated were several pieces by the Swedish playwright
August Strindberg Johan August Strindberg (; ; 22 January 184914 May 1912) was a Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, and painter.Lane (1998), 1040. A prolific writer who often drew directly on his personal experience, Strindberg wrote more than 60 pla ...
and Norwegian playwright
Henrik Ibsen Henrik Johan Ibsen (; ; 20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright, poet and actor. Ibsen is considered the world's pre-eminent dramatist of the 19th century and is often referred to as "the father of modern drama." He pioneered ...
, as well as a history of Japan and several ''
kabuki is a classical form of Theatre of Japan, Japanese theatre, mixing dramatic performance with Japanese traditional dance, traditional dance. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily stylised performances, its glamorous, highly decorated costumes ...
'' stage plays. While with the centre, Djajakusuma wrote several of his own stage plays. In his free time, Djajakusuma helped establish the amateur theatre company Maya, together with artists such as
HB Jassin Hans Bague Jassin (31 July 1917 – 11 March 2000), better known as HB Jassin, was an Indonesian literary critic, documentarian, and professor. Born in Gorontalo to a bibliophilic petroleum company employee, Jassin began reading while still in el ...
,
Rosihan Anwar Rosihan Anwar (10 May 1922 – 14 April 2011) was a renowned Indonesian journalist and author. Rosihan Anwar was born in Kubang Nan Dua, West Sumatra. Rosihan received his early education at HIS and MULO in Padang. He continued his studies at Al ...
, and
Usmar Ismail Usmar Ismail (20 March 1921 – 2 January 1971) was an Indonesian film director, author, journalist and revolutionary of Minangkabau descent. He is widely regarded as the native Indonesian pioneer of the cinema of Indonesia. Biography Ismail ...
. The troupe, formed in response to a desire for greater artistic freedom, performed translations of European works and original works by Ismail and El Hakim. To promote a sense of Indonesian nationalism while still conforming with the Japanese censorship bureau's rules, several of Maya's plays did not explicitly promote Japan, but rather the
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere The , also known as the GEACPS, was a Pan-Asianism, pan-Asian union that the Empire of Japan tried to establish. Initially, it covered Japan (including Korea under Japanese rule, annexed Korea), Manchukuo, and Wang Jingwei regime, China, but as ...
. Themes supporting the Indonesian nationalist movement, meanwhile, remained implicit in the works. With Maya, Djajakusuma travelled from village to village, putting on performances.


Indonesian National Revolution

President
Sukarno Sukarno (6 June 1901 – 21 June 1970) was an Indonesian statesman, orator, revolutionary, and nationalist who was the first president of Indonesia, serving from 1945 to 1967. Sukarno was the leader of the Indonesian struggle for independenc ...
proclaimed
Indonesia's independence The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence (, or simply ''Proklamasi'') was read at 10:00 Japan Standard Time, Tokyo Standard Time on Friday 17 August 1945 in Jakarta. The declaration marked the start of the diplomatic and armed resistance of ...
on 17 August 1945, days after the
bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanical ...
. Expecting the Dutch colonial government to return, Djajakusuma and Ismail helped establish the Independent Artists (Seniman Merdeka) as a form of resistance. The group travelled throughout the city, spreading news of Indonesia's proclaimed independence while performing from an open-air truck. After the arrival of the
Netherlands Indies Civil Administration The Netherlands Indies Civil Administration (, NICA) was a semi-military organisation, established in April 1944, tasked with the restoration of civil administration and law of Dutch colonial rule after the capitulation of the Japanese occupation ...
, the group sometimes attempted to spy on the Europeans or hide information which would be considered useful to the returning Dutch forces. Owing to this dangerous work, Djajakusuma began carrying a pistol, and went to
Banten Banten (, , Pegon alphabet, Pegon: بنتن) is the westernmost Provinces of Indonesia, province on the island of Java, Indonesia. Its capital city is Serang and its largest city is Tangerang. The province borders West Java and the Special Capi ...
to ask a ''
kyai A kyai ( ) is an expert in Islam. This denomination is usually used among the ethnic Javanese people. Origins The word kyai is originally from Javanese. Sometimes, it is spelled kiai. Traditionally, students of Islam in Indonesia would study ...
'' to make him impervious to bullets. In early 1946, with the Dutch colonial forces in control of Jakarta, Djajakusuma fled to the new national capital at
Yogyakarta Yogyakarta is the capital city of the Special Region of Yogyakarta in Indonesia, in the south-central part of the island of Java. As the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by Hamengkubuwono, a monarchy, Yogyakarta is regarded as an importan ...
. There, he spent a time with the national news agency
Antara Antara may refer to: * Antara (music), a verse in Hindustani classical music * Antara (musical instrument), or siku, a traditional Andean panpipe * Antara (news agency), an Indonesian news agency * Antara (Peru), a mountain in Peru * Antara Pol ...
before joining the
military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a d ...
's educational division, rising to the rank of captain. For the military Djajakusuma edited the weekly ''Tentara''; he also contributed articles to Ismail's cultural magazine ''Arena''. Despite his involvement in the press, he did not abandon the theatre; with Surjo Sumanto, he established a troupe which performed for soldiers and raised morale, sometimes travelling to the frontlines. Djajakusuma was hired by the Ministry of Information in 1947 to teach at a school for the performance arts, the Mataram Entertainment Foundation (). Through Mataram, he and Ismail were introduced to filmmakers Andjar Asmara, Huyung, and Sutarto; the two studied under these more established individuals. Meanwhile, Djajakusuma was put in charge of censoring radio broadcasts in Republican-held areas, a duty he held until the Dutch captured Yogyakarta on 19 December 1948. Djajakusuma fled the city, then met up with Republican forces. Using an old radio and a bicycle-powered generator, Djajakusuma listened to international news broadcasts and wrote them down; the information from these broadcasts was then printed in underground newspapers. After the
Indonesian National Revolution The Indonesian National Revolution (), also known as the Indonesian War of Independence (, ), was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between the Republic of Indonesia and the Dutch Empire and an internal social revolution during A ...
ended with Dutch recognition of Indonesia's independence in 1949, Djajakusuma continued to work as a journalist for ''Patriot'' (a rebranding of ''Tentara'') and the magazine ''Kebudajaan Nusantara''; Mataram was reopened, and Djajakusuma began teaching there again while managing the Soboharsono cinema and writing several stage plays. Ismail, meanwhile, went back to Jakarta and established the National Film Corporation (, or Perfini); its first production, ''
Darah dan Doa ''Darah dan Doa'' (; Indonesian for ''Blood and Prayer'', released internationally as ''The Long March'') is a 1950 Indonesian war film directed and produced by Usmar Ismail, telling the story of the Siliwangi Division and its leader Captain Su ...
'' (''The Long March''), which gave a fictionalised version of the
Siliwangi Division Military Regional Command III/Siliwangi () is an Indonesian Army Regional Military Command that covers Banten and West Java province. The division was formed during the Indonesian National Revolution by what was then known as the People's Secu ...
's trek from Yogyakarta to
West Java West Java (, ) is an Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province on the western part of the island of Java, with its provincial capital in Bandung. West Java is bordered by the province of Banten and the country's capital region of Jakarta to t ...
in 1948, was directed by Ismail and released in 1950.


Career with Perfini

In preparation for his second film, '' Enam Djam di Jogja'' (''Six Hours in Yogyakarta''), Ismail recalled Djajakusuma to Jakarta. For the film, Djajakusuma helped Ismail adapt the General Assault of 1 March 1949 for the screen. Production was completed on a low budget; Djajakusuma later recalled that their camera had to be powered by a car battery. Despite this and other difficulties, Djajakusuma stayed on after the film's completion, completing another work for Perfini, ''Dosa Tak Berampun'' (''Unforgivable Sin''), later that year. Ismail served as director for this film, about a man who leaves his family after he is transfixed by the smile of a waitress. While Ismail, who remained head of Perfini, went abroad to study cinematography at the School of Theater, Film and Television at the
University of California, Los Angeles The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school the ...
, Djajakusuma began taking a larger role in Perfini. He made his directorial debut in 1952 with ''
Embun ''Embun'' (Indonesian for ''Dewdrop'') is a 1952 film directed by D. Djajakusuma for Perfini in his directorial debut. Plot After the conclusion of the Indonesian National Revolution, Leman ( AN Alcaff) and Barjo (Rd Ismail) go to the national c ...
'' (''Dewdrop''), which showed the psychological troubles faced by soldiers upon returning to their village after the revolution. The film was shot in
Wonosari Wonosari () is the administrative centre of Gunungkidul Regency, in the Special Region of Yogyakarta on Java, Indonesia. The ''kapanewon'' (district) of Wonosari is bordered to the north by the district of Nglipar, to the east by the districts of ...
, at the time in the middle of a drought, to provide a visual metaphor for the barren souls of the warriors. Because of its depiction of traditional superstitions, the film had trouble with both the censorship bureau and critics; superstition was considered incompatible with the new republic's need for modernisation. The release of ''Embun'' made Djajakusuma one of four directors to work for Perfini; the others were Ismail, Nya Abas Akup, and Wahyu Sihombing. Djajakusuma's next production, ''Terimalah Laguku'' (''Take My Song''; 1952), was a
musical Musical is the adjective of music. Musical may also refer to: * Musical theatre, a performance art that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance * Musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), charac ...
about an old, impoverished musician who sells his saxophone to help his former student's career. Though the film's technical quality was poor, when he returned to Indonesia in 1953 Ismail was pleased with the work, stating that the editing had been done well. Over the next year Ismail conveyed information he learned at UCLA to the Perfini staff; Djajakusuma followed these lessons closely. This was followed by '' Harimau Tjampa'' (''Tiger from Tjampa'') in 1953, a film about a man who attempts to avenge his father's death. Set amidst Minang culture, the film featured some of the first nudity in a domestic production and was a considerable critical success. In 1954 Djajakusuma directed two comedies, ''Putri dari Medan'' (''Daughter of Medan'') and ''Mertua Sinting'' (''Insane Parents-in-Law''). The first dealt with three young men who resolve to never marry, only for their strength to waver after meeting some women from
Medan Medan ( , ) is the capital city, capital and largest city of the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of North Sumatra. The nearby Strait of Malacca, Port of Belawan, and Kualanamu International Airport make Medan a regional hub and multi ...
, while the second followed a man who rejects his son's choice of spouse owing to her lack of noble descent, then unknowingly chooses the same woman to be his son's wife. The following year Djajakusuma helped establish the Indonesian Screen Actors Guild (; PARFI). His only film that year, the drama ''Arni'', told of a man who married another woman while his sick wife went to
Padang Padang () is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the Indonesian Provinces of Indonesia, province of West Sumatra. It had a population of 833,562 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 909,040 at the 2020 Census;Bad ...
,
Sumatra Sumatra () is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the list of islands by area, sixth-largest island in the world at 482,286.55 km2 (182,812 mi. ...
, for treatment. Djajakusuma studied cinematography in the United States, first at the
University of Washington The University of Washington (UW and informally U-Dub or U Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington, United States. Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast of the Uni ...
in
Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...
, then at the
University of Southern California The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in ...
's
School of Cinematic Arts The USC School of Cinematic Arts is an academic unit of the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles. With a history that dates to the first years of talkies, the school descends from America's first program to confer a college degree in ...
, from 1956 to 1957. When he returned to Indonesia, he worked with Ismail and fellow Perfini employee
Asrul Sani Asrul Sani (10 June 1926 – 11 January 2004) was an Indonesian writer, poet and screenwriter. Biography Sani was born in Rao, West Sumatra on 10 June 1926. His father was Sultan Marah Sani Syair Alamsyah. Together with Chairil Anwar and Ri ...
to establish the National Theatre Academy of Indonesia (), which promoted realism; the Indonesian dramatist
Putu Wijaya I Gusti Ngurah Putu Wijaya (born April 11, 1944) is an Indonesian author, considered by many to be one of Indonesia's most prominent literary figures. His output is impressive; his published works include more than thirty novels, forty dramas, ...
described the realism promoted by the academy as more Indonesian than Western, while Djajakusuma considered inspired by the Italian neorealist movement. Djajakusuma remained a lecturer with the academy until 1970, and his students considered him humorous and easy to approach. Upon his return to Indonesia, Djajakusuma began work on ''
Tjambuk Api ''Tjambuk Api'' (literally ''Whips of Fire'') is a 1958 Indonesian martial arts film directed by D. Djajakusuma and produced by Usmar Ismail. Starring Bambang Irawan, Aminah Cendrakasih, Soekarno M. Noer, and Rendra Karno, it tells of a young ...
'' (''Whips of Fire''; 1958), a critique of the widespread
corruption in Indonesia While hard data on corruption are difficult to collect, Corruption in Indonesia is seen through public opinion, collated through surveys as well as observation of how each system runs. Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions I ...
; this theme led to the film being held by the censorship bureau for almost a year. The director followed this with the drama ''Pak Prawiro'' (''Mr. Prawiro''), which was sponsored by the Post Savings Bank () and meant to convey the importance of having
savings Wealth is the abundance of valuable financial assets or physical possessions which can be converted into a form that can be used for transactions. This includes the core meaning as held in the originating Old English word , which is from an ...
. During this period he studied the traditional theatre of India, travelling to
Calcutta Kolkata, also known as Calcutta (List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern ba ...
,
Madras Chennai, also known as Madras ( its official name until 1996), is the capital and largest city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. According to the 2011 Indian ce ...
, and
New Delhi New Delhi (; ) is the Capital city, capital of India and a part of the Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the Government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Parliament ...
; he hoped that this first-hand experience would inspire him in the filming of traditional Indonesian stories. In 1960 Djajakusuma released his first film based on traditional ''wayang'' stories, ''Lahirnja Gatotkatja''; the traditional puppetry had fascinated him as a child, and he greatly enjoyed the character Gatotkaca. Shot in Yogyakarta, the film featured a cast of stars from Jakarta and local talent in backing roles. It was, however, controversial: ''
dhalang The dhalang or dalang (; ) is the puppeteer in an Indonesian performance. In a performance of , the dalang sits behind a screen () made of white cotton stretched on a wooden frame. Above his head, hanging from beams attached to the top of the ...
'' and others versed in ''wayang'' argued that the director had ignored too many traditional aspects of the puppetry. That year Djajakusuma also served as production manager for Ismail's ''
Pedjuang ''Warriors for Freedom'' () is a 1960 Indonesian drama film directed by Usmar Ismail. It was entered into the 2nd Moscow International Film Festival where Bambang Hermanto won the Silver Prize for Best Actor. Plot Circa 1947, a platoon led by ...
'' (''Warriors for Freedom'') and directed ''Mak Tjomblang'' (''Mrs. Tjomblang''), a comedy adapted from
Nikolai Gogol Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol; ; (; () was a Russian novelist, short story writer, and playwright of Ukrainian origin. Gogol used the Grotesque#In literature, grotesque in his writings, for example, in his works "The Nose (Gogol short story), ...
's 1842 drama ''
Marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
''. Djajakusuma released another comedy, ''Masa Topan dan Badai'' (''Time of Cyclones and Storms''), in 1963; the film centres around the family dynamics of a conservative father, liberal mother, and their two teenaged daughters who are in the throes of adolescence. The following year Djajakusuma directed his last film with Perfini, ''Rimba Bergema'' (''Echoing Jungles''), which was meant to promote the nation's
rubber Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Types of polyisoprene ...
industry. That year he helped establish the Film and TV Employee's Union (), a response to the
Lekra The Lembaga Kebudajaan Rakjat ( EYD: Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat, often abbreviated Lekra; meaning Institute for the People's Culture) was a prolific cultural and social movement associated with the Indonesian Communist Party. Founded in 1950, Lekra ...
-sponsored Indonesian Film League. As with Ismail and most Perfini employees, Djajakusuma was staunchly against the
communist Communism () is a sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology within the socialist movement, whose goal is the creation of a communist society, a socioeconomic order centered on common ownership of the means of production, di ...
-affiliated Lekra; the cultural group was likewise hostile towards those affiliated with Perfini.


Later career

Towards the end of his time with Perfini, Djajakusuma again became active in traditional arts. He devoted considerable time towards the promotion of ''wayang''. In 1967 he organised the National Wayang Festival, which collapsed shortly afterwards owing to a lack of funds. In 1967 he directed the ''wayang''-inspired film ''Bimo Kroda'' for Pantja Murti Film, which used the destruction of the
Pandawa The Pandavas (Sanskrit: पाण्डव, aɳɖɐʋᵊ IAST: Pāṇḍava) is a group name referring to the five legendary brothers, Yudhishtira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva, who are central figures of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'' ...
 – brothers in the Hindu epic ''
Mahābhārata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the '' Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kurukshetra War, a war of succe ...
'' – to represent the kidnappings and subsequent murders of five army generals during the
30 September Movement The Thirtieth of September Movement (, also known as G30S, and by the syllabic abbreviation Gestapu for ''Gerakan September Tiga Puluh'', Thirtieth of September Movement, also unofficially called Gestok, for ''Gerakan Satu Oktober'', or Fir ...
in 1965. Djajakusuma's involvement with ''wayang'' continued into the early 1970s; he organised two Wayang Weeks, in 1970 and 1974, as well as a national ''wayang'' festival in 1977. Furthermore, he established two '' wayang orang'' troupes, Jaya Budaya (1971) and Bharata (1973), hoping to save the ailing medium by modernising it. Meanwhile, Djajakusuma helped promote art forms such as the
Betawi Betawi may refer to: *Betawi people *Betawi language *Betawi cuisine Betawi cuisine is rich, diverse and eclectic, in part because the Betawi people that create them were composed from numbers of Native Indonesian, regional immigrants that came ...
''
lenong ''Lenong'' is a traditional theatrical form of the Betawi people in Jakarta, Indonesia. Description ''Lenong'' is a form of theatre traditional to the Betawi people of Jakarta, Indonesia. Dialogue is generally in the Betawi dialect. Actions ...
'' and Javanese ''
ludruk ''Ludruk'' is one of the theatrical genres in East Java. It is a form of traditional performance presented by a troupe of actors (or comedians) on a stage, re-telling the life stories of everyday people and their struggles. Its origin is unclea ...
'' over a period of several years. He is particularly recognised for his revitalising ''lenong''. Beginning in 1968, Djajakusuma appeared on television as an advocate of ''lenong'', which was then limited to rural villages and on the verge of dying out. He increased popular knowledge of the form while arguing for proper remuneration for performers. Through the 1970s ''lenong'' was performed at Ismail Marzuki Hall, drawing considerable audiences, and several ''lenong'' performers found mainstream acclaim in the film industry. Djajakusuma also promoted non-traditional cultural activities, both modern and foreign. In 1968 he became the head of the Jakarta Art Council, a position he held until 1977, and in 1970 he held a ''
kroncong Kroncong (pronounced "kronchong"; , ) is the name of a ukulele-like instrument and an Indonesian musical style that typically makes use of the kroncong (the sound ' comes from this instrument, so the music is called ''kroncong''). A ''kroncong'' ...
'' music festival. Beginning with the school's establishment in 1970, he became a lecturer at the Jakarta Institute for Arts Education (, later the Jakarta Art Institute or IKJ, teaching cinematography. To better understand the world's theatre, in 1977 he went to Japan and China to study their traditions. He later led the students in various stage performances, including adaptations of Japanese ''
noh is a major form of classical Japanese dance-drama that has been performed since the 14th century. It is Japan's oldest major theater art that is still regularly performed today. Noh is often based on tales from traditional literature featuri ...
'' and
Chinese opera Traditional Chinese opera (), or ''Xiqu'', is a form of musical theatre in China with roots going back to the early periods in China. It is an amalgamation of various art forms that existed in ancient China, and evolved gradually over more tha ...
; several of these performances were held at Ismail Marzuki Hall. In the 1970s Djajakusuma held a variety of positions in film organisations, including as a member of the Film Council (1974–76), a member of the board of trustees for Radio and TV Broadcasts (1976), and a member of the Bureau for the Development of National Film (1977–78). Djajakusuma's productivity in the film industry, however, declined. In 1971 he directed his final films, ''Api di Bukit Menoreh'' (''Fire on Mount Menoreh'') and '' Malin Kundang (Anak Durhaka)'' (''Malin Kundang aithless Child'). The first, released for Penas Film Studio and based on a novel by Singgih Hadi Mintardja, followed soldiers from the
Kingdom of Pajang The Kingdom of Pajang or Sultanate of Pajang (; 1568–1586) was a short-lived Muslim state in Java. It was established by Adiwijaya or Jaka Tingkir, Lord of Boyolali, after a civil war and was a successor to Sultanate of Demak. Adiwijaya clai ...
in their efforts to subdue soldiers from the rival kingdom of Jipang. The second film was an adaptation of the Malay folktale of the same name. Starring
Rano Karno Rano Karno (born 8 October 1960) is an Indonesian actor and politician who has served as the vice governor of Jakarta since 20 February 2025. Previously, he served as Governor of Banten from 2014 to 2017. As a result of his fame gained from his ...
and Putu Wijaya as the title character, the film follows a young boy who forgets his roots after spending much of his childhood at sea. His last role as a filmmaker was in 1977, when he helped produce Fritz G. Schadt's comedy ''Bang Kojak'' (''Brother Kojak''; 1977).


Final years and death

In 1977 Djajakusuma served on the jury of the
Indonesian Film Festival The Indonesian Film Festival ( Indonesian: Festival Film Indonesia, 'FFI') is an annual awards ceremony organised by the Indonesian Film Board and the Ministry of Culture to celebrate cinematic achievements in the Indonesian film industry. Dur ...
(, or FFI). While reading the decision, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, while Rosihan Anwar completed the reading. Djajakusuma's neighbour and frequent collaborator
Taufiq Ismail Taufiq Ismail (born 25 June 1935) is an Indonesian poet, activist and the editor of the monthly literary magazine '' Horison''. Ismail figured prominently in Indonesian literature of the post-Sukarno period and is considered one of the pioneers o ...
told reporters that it was not the first time Djajakusuma had collapsed. Djajakusuma continued to suffer from bouts of sudden weakness for the rest of his life, caused by high blood pressure. Despite his rapidly failing health, Djajakusuma remained active in the arts. In 1980 he made his last film appearance, and his only role on the big screen, acting in Ismail Soebardjo's ''Perempuan dalam Pasungan'' (''Woman in Stocks''). He and
Sofia WD Sofia W. D. (12 October 1924 – 23 July 1986)"Indonesian actress Sofia W.D. dies", ''The Straits Times'', 24 July 1986. was an Indonesian actress and film director. She appeared in 43 films between 1952 and 1986. Her film ''Badai-Selatan'' ...
portrayed parents who regularly put their daughter in
stocks Stocks are feet and hand restraining devices that were used as a form of corporal punishment and public humiliation. The use of stocks is seen as early as Ancient Greece, where they are described as being in use in Solon's law code. The law de ...
to punish her for being disobedient; in an interview with ''
Suara Karya ''Suara Karya'' (lit. ''Voice of Creating'') was a daily newspaper published in Indonesia. Established in 1971 to assist Golkar in winning that year's Indonesian legislative election, 1971, legislative election, it became required reading for al ...
'', Soebardjo recalled that, from the time he had written it, he had only considered Djajakusuma for the role. ''Perempuan dalam Pasungan'' won the
Citra Award for Best Film The Citra Award for Best Picture ( Indonesian: ''Film Cerita Panjang Terbaik'') is an award given at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) to the best feature film of the year. The Citra Awards, described by ''Screen International'' as "Indonesia's ...
at the 1981 Indonesian Film Festival, and Djajakusuma expressed an interest in making several further films; this was, however, never realised. In 1983 Djajakusuma served as dean of the Faculty of Arts at IKJ, and in 1984 he went to the
Three Continents Festival The Three Continents Festival ( French: ''Festival des 3 Continents'') is an annual film festival held since 1979 in Nantes, France, devoted to the cinemas of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It was founded by Philippe and Alain Jalladeau.
in
Nantes Nantes (, ; ; or ; ) is a city in the Loire-Atlantique department of France on the Loire, from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic coast. The city is the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, sixth largest in France, with a pop ...
, France, where two of his films were shown to critical acclaim. In early 1987 Djajakusuma's doctor diagnosed him with
heart disease Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is any disease involving the heart or blood vessels. CVDs constitute a class of diseases that includes: coronary artery diseases (e.g. angina pectoris, angina, myocardial infarction, heart attack), heart failure, ...
, which led Djajakusuma to begin dieting and stop smoking. He continued to be highly respected in Indonesian film circles, but was displeased with the condition of the country's film industry, which he considered to be on the verge of collapse. This he blamed on American
cultural imperialism Cultural imperialism (also cultural colonialism) comprises the culture, cultural dimensions of imperialism. The word "imperialism" describes practices in which a country engages culture (language, tradition, ritual, politics, economics) to creat ...
, which meant that most cinemas preferred screening foreign films, especially those from Hollywood, and that Indonesian youth were no longer creating a uniquely Indonesian identity. Djajakusuma collapsed on 28 October 1987 while giving a speech in commemoration of the
Youth Pledge The Youth Pledge (, ), officially titled as Decision of the Congress of Indonesian Youth ( van Ophuijsen spelling ) is the pledge made by young Indonesians since 28 October 1928, which defined the identity of Indonesians. The decision proclaimed t ...
at the IKJ, striking his head on a stone step. After being rushed to Cikini General Hospital, he was declared dead at 10:05 a.m. local time (UTC+7). He was buried at
Karet Bivak Cemetery Karet Bivak is a cemetery in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is the second largest public graveyard in the city. Description Karet Bivak is located in Central Jakarta, Jakarta. It covers an area of , making it the second-largest cemetery in Jakarta. In 2 ...
that evening, after ceremonies at the IKJ led by the author
Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana (11 February 1908 – 17 July 1994) was an Indonesian author. He was born in Natal, North Sumatra. His family came from Minangkabau who migrated there in the 19th century. He was a founder and editor of '' Poedjan ...
and prayers at the Amir Hamzah Mosque in Ismail Marzuki Hall led by the poet Taufiq Ismail. Among the mourners were the former Minister of Information Boediardjo, the Minister of Education and Culture
Fuad Hassan Fuad Hassan ( '; 26 June 1929 – 7 December 2007) was an Indonesian politician. Biography Early life and education Fuad Hassan was born in Semarang on 26 June 1929. His father, Ahmad Hassan, was a businessman and trader of Arabic heritage. In t ...
, and the Deputy Governor of Jakarta Anwar Umar. Djajakusuma had never married, but left behind several nieces and nephews whom he had raised as his own children. After his death, newspapers throughout Jakarta carried obituaries by such cultural and film figures as Alisjahbana, the producer
Misbach Yusa Biran Misbach Yusa Biran (11 September 1933 – 11 April 2012) was an Indonesian writer, director and columnist who pioneered the Indonesian film archives. Personal life Biran was born in Rangkasbitung, in the Lebak Regency, to a Minangkaba ...
, and the Perfini cameraman Soemardjono. These obituaries emphasised Djajakusuma's role in the development of the Indonesian film industry and the preservation of traditional culture. In a ceremony commemorating the fifth anniversary of Djajakusuma's death, all his documents and books were donated to the IKJ library.


Style

Like Usmar Ismail, Djajakusuma was influenced by realism. However, while Ismail preferred to focus on national-level themes, Djajakusuma was more drawn to simple, locally relevant storylines with educational messages. This realism carried over into Djajakusuma's work in ''wayang''. The settings, traditionally drawn, were instead created as three-dimensional sets, including representations of trees, rocks, and water. According to Soemardjono, who often edited Djajakusuma's films, the director enjoyed experimenting with new techniques to better convey his intentions. Djajakusuma often included traditional arts in his films, and two of them (''Lahirnja Gatotkatja'' and ''Bimo Kroda'') were based on traditional ''wayang'' stories and used ''wayang''-inspired costumes and tempos.; This focus on aspects of traditional culture fell out of the mainstream after 1965, having been replaced by films about city life. Djajakusuma's theatrical productions experimented with new storytelling techniques, adapting the traditional styles for the modern world. As a lecturer teaching screenwriting and the history of theatre, Djajakusuma focused on Indonesian arts. He argued that Indonesians should rely on local culture, not continuously look towards the West. In other areas he was mostly apolitical. The Indonesian sociologist Umar Kayam, who had served on the Jakarta Art Council with Djajakusuma, described the director as highly disciplined. Biran described him as having a fiery temper which could be triggered suddenly, yet quick to calm when the trigger was removed; this sentiment was echoed by several people who had worked with Djajakusuma. Coverage in the film magazine ''Djaja'' described him as hardworking and highly dedicated to his craft, to the point of forsaking romantic relationships.


Reception

Djajakusuma's film ''Harimau Tjampa'' garnered him the Best Screenplay Award at the 1954 Asian Film Festival. His later film ''Bimo Kroda'' was recognised by the Indonesian Department of Information for promoting traditional culture. In 1970 he received an Art Award from the Indonesian government for "his service to the State as the Main Promoter of the Development of Modern Drama". At the 1987 Indonesian Film Festival, he received a special award for his contributions to the film industry, and in November 2003 he was posthumously granted a Budaya Parama Dharma Award by President
Megawati Sukarnoputri Diah Permata Megawati Setiawati Sukarnoputri (; born 23 January 1947) is an Indonesian politician who served as the fifth president of Indonesia from 2001 to 2004 and the eighth vice president under President Abdurrahman Wahid from 1999 to 200 ...
for his contributions to the development of Indonesian culture. Critical reception has been positive. The award-winning director
Teguh Karya Teguh Karya (born Steve Liem Tjoan Hok; ; 22 September 1937 – 11 December 2001) was an Indonesian film director. Starting his entertainment career in theatre, he made his directorial debut in 1971 with '' Wadjah Seorang Laki-Laki'' in wh ...
cited the works of Djajakusuma, Usmar Ismail, and Asrul Sani as "legendary" and among his greatest influences. Choreographer Bagong Kussudiardjo reportedly so respected Djajakusuma that he had named his son Djadoeg after the director. According to a memorial in the newspaper ''
Kompas ''Kompas'' () is an Indonesian national newspaper published in Jakarta, founded on 28 June 1965. It is published by PT Kompas Media Nusantara, which is part of Kompas Gramedia Group. The paper's head office is located at the Kompas Multimedia ...
'', Djajakusuma was also dubbed a "living legend" during his visit to Nantes. A later ''Kompas'' article records Djajakusuma's best-remembered works are ''Harimau Tjampa'' and ''Tjambuk Api''. Those two works are those most often shown, as ready-to-use copies are stored at
Sinematek Indonesia Sinematek Indonesia, or Sinematek for short, is a film archive located in Jakarta. Established in 1975 by Misbach Yusa Biran and Asrul Sani, the archive was the first in Southeast Asia, and remains the only one in Indonesia. It is home to rough ...
; his other surviving films are kept as negatives.


Filmography


Cast

*''Perempuan dalam Pasungan'' (''Girl in Stocks''; 1980) – as Mr. Prawiro


Crew

*'' Enam Djam di Jogja'' (''Six Hours in Yogya''; 1951) – as screenwriter *''
Embun ''Embun'' (Indonesian for ''Dewdrop'') is a 1952 film directed by D. Djajakusuma for Perfini in his directorial debut. Plot After the conclusion of the Indonesian National Revolution, Leman ( AN Alcaff) and Barjo (Rd Ismail) go to the national c ...
'' (''Dewdrop''; 1951) – as director and screenwriter *''Dosa Tak Berampun'' (''Unforgivable Sin''; 1951) – as screenwriter *''Terimalah Laguku'' (''Take My Song''; 1952) – as director *'' Harimau Tjampa'' (''Tiger from Tjampa''; 1953) – as director and screenwriter *''Putri dari Medan'' (''Girl From Medan''; 1954) – director *''Mertua Sinting'' (''Insane Parents-in-Law''; 1954) – as director *''Arni'' (1955) – as director *''
Tjambuk Api ''Tjambuk Api'' (literally ''Whips of Fire'') is a 1958 Indonesian martial arts film directed by D. Djajakusuma and produced by Usmar Ismail. Starring Bambang Irawan, Aminah Cendrakasih, Soekarno M. Noer, and Rendra Karno, it tells of a young ...
'' (''Whips of Fire''; 1958) – as director *''Pak Prawiro'' (''Mr. Prawiro''; 1958) – as director and screenwriter *''
Pedjuang ''Warriors for Freedom'' () is a 1960 Indonesian drama film directed by Usmar Ismail. It was entered into the 2nd Moscow International Film Festival where Bambang Hermanto won the Silver Prize for Best Actor. Plot Circa 1947, a platoon led by ...
'' (''Warriors for Freedom''; 1960) – as production manager *''Mak Tjomblang'' (''Mrs. Tjomblang''; 1960) – as director and screenwriter *''Lahirnja Gatotkatja'' (''Birth of Gatotkatja''; 1960) – as director and screenwriter *''Masa Topan dan Badai'' (''Time of Cyclones and Storms''; 1963) – as director *''Rimba Bergema'' (''Echoing Jungles''; 1964) – as director *''Bimo Kroda'' (1967) – as director *'' Malin Kundang (Anak Durhaka)'' (''Malin Kundang aithless Child'; 1971) – as director *''Api Dibukit Menoreh (Gugurnya Tohpati)'' (''Fire on Mount Menoreh eath of Tohpati'; 1971) – as director *''Bang Kojak'' (''Brother Kojak''; 1977) – as producer


Explanatory notes


References


Works cited

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External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Djajakusuma, D. 1918 births 1987 deaths Citra Award winners Indonesian male actors Indonesian film directors People from Temanggung Regency 20th-century Indonesian male actors USC School of Cinematic Arts alumni University of Washington alumni 20th-century Indonesian screenwriters