Mohammad Mochtar
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Mohamad Mochtar (1 July 1918 – 1 December 1981), usually credited as Moh Mochtar, was an Indonesian film actor active from 1939 until his death in 1981.


Biography

Mochtar was born in
Cianjur Cianjur () is a town and district in the West Java province of Indonesia, and is the regency seat, seat of Cianjur Regency. The district of Cianjur is located along one of the main roads between Jakarta (120 km to the northwest) and Bandung ...
,
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 ...
,
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 ...
, on 1 July 1918. He dropped out of school in the first year of
Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs ( Dutch, "more advanced primary education") was during part of the twentieth century a level of education in the Netherlands, Suriname and the Dutch East Indies. The system was comparable with the junior high school ...
(junior high school). Sometime afterwards he was signed by the theatre company Miss Riboet's Orion for their
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
team; he had been a fan of the game since his youth. Mochtar was later asked to perform on stage. By the late 1930s he was skilled at the traditional martial art of ''
silat Silat is the collective term for a class of martial arts from the Nusantara and surrounding geocultural areas of Southeast Asia. It is traditionally practised in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Southern Thailand, Southern Philippi ...
''. In 1939 Mochtar met
The Teng Chun The Teng Chun (; 18 June 1902 – 25 February 1977), also known by his Indonesian name Tahjar Ederis, was an Indonesian film producer. Born to a rich businessman, The became interested in film while still a youth. After a period as an expo ...
, owner and director of Java Industrial Film (JIF), while at a barbershop. Mochtar was signed to play opposite
Hadidjah Hadidjah (EYD, Perfected Spelling: Hadijah; 13 June 1920 – 10 October 2013) was an Indonesian film actress best known for partnership with Moh Mochtar in seven films released by Java Industrial Film between 1939 and 1941. She was the mother of ...
in JIF's upcoming film, '' Alang-Alang'', as two lovers who confront bandits in a jungle. The Teng Chun intended Mohamad Mochtar and Hadidjah to become competitors to Roekiah and
Rd Mochtar Hajji Raden Mochtar (born 31 May 1918), often credited as Rd Mochtar, was an Indonesian actor. Of noble descent, Mochtar was discovered by Albert Balink and first cast in the commercial failure ''Pareh'' (1936). Rising to popularity after the ...
, who had become a popular on-screen couple owing to their success in ''
Terang Boelan (; Indonesian language, Indonesian for "Full Moon", ''Terang Bulan'' in the Enhanced Spelling of the Indonesian Language, Enhanced Spelling System) is a 1937 film from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). Written by Saeroen, directed by Albe ...
'' (1937) and ''
Fatima Fatima bint Muhammad (; 605/15–632 CE), commonly known as Fatima al-Zahra' (), was the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his wife Khadija. Fatima's husband was Ali, the fourth of the Rashidun caliphs and the first Shia imam. ...
'' (1938). ''Alang-Alang'' was successful, and Mohamad Mochtar was dubbed the "Tarzan of Java". This success led Hadidjah and Mochtar to be cast in romantic roles together for another five films for JIF. In 1940, Mochtar appeared in '' Matjan Berbisik'' (''Whispering Tiger'') as a man who fights his brother for the love of a young woman, then in ''
Rentjong Atjeh ''Rentjong Atjeh'' (EYD, Perfected Spelling: ''Rencong Aceh''; meaning ''Rencong of Aceh'') is a 1940 action film from the Dutch East Indies directed by The Teng Chun. Telling of a group who take revenge against pirates in the Strait of Malacca, it ...
'' (''Rencong of Aceh'') as a young man who fights pirates. In 1941 the pair appeared in another three films: ''
Srigala Item ''Srigala Item'' (Indonesian for ''Black Wolf'', also advertised with the Dutch title ''De Zwarte Wolf'') is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies that was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun for Action Film. Starring Hadi ...
'' (''Black Wolf''), '' Si Gomar'', and '' Singa Laoet''. Aside from his roles with Hadidjah, Mochtar also acted in several films for Action Films, a subsidiary of JIF, including ''
Srigala Item ''Srigala Item'' (Indonesian for ''Black Wolf'', also advertised with the Dutch title ''De Zwarte Wolf'') is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies that was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun for Action Film. Starring Hadi ...
'' and ''
Tengkorak Hidoep ''Tengkorak Hidoep'' (literally ''The Living Skeleton'') is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) directed by Tan Tjoei Hock. It has been called Indonesia's first domestic horror film. Plot Raden Darmadji and several of his fr ...
'' (both 1941). Through these films Mochtar became one of the most famous actors in the Indies, recognised for his speed and courage. He did his own stunts — including scenes such as jumping from a moving motorcycle to a truck. In March 1942, the Japanese occupied the Indies and closed all but one film studio, including JIF. Mochtar became a ''
Heiho were units raised by the Imperial Japanese Army during its occupation of the Dutch East Indies in World War II. Alongside the ''Heiho'', the Japanese organized ''Giyūgun'' (義勇軍, "Volunteer army"), such as the Java-based "Defenders of the ...
'', a
native Native may refer to: People * '' Jus sanguinis'', nationality by blood * '' Jus soli'', nationality by location of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Nat ...
soldier for the Japanese forces, and took up roles in
propaganda films Propaganda Films (stylized as PЯOPAGAИDA FILMS) was a production company founded in Los Angeles in 1986 by American producer Steve Golin, Icelandic producer Sigurjón Sighvatsson, English director Nigel Dick, and American directors David Fi ...
such as ''
Berdjoang ''Berdjoang'' (literally "struggle", also known under the title ''Hope of the South'') is a 1943 film from the Japanese-occupied Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). The film, produced by the Japanese studio ''Nippon Eigasha'', is credited as havi ...
'' (1943). Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945, and for two years no fiction films were produced in the area. Mochtar made his first film after the proclamation, '' Bengawan Solo'', in 1949. Through the 1950s Mochtar acted in various films, and worked as cinematographer on two. He left the industry in 1957. He attempted to work at a shoe factory, then tried to open his own hotel and restaurant. In 1967 he returned to film, acting in ''Menjusurui Djedjak Berdarah''; this role garnered him a Citra Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 1967
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 ...
. After his return to film Mochtar focused primarily on supporting roles, only taking two further lead roles: in ''Lampu Merah'' (1971) and ''Gara Gara'' (1973). At the 1979 Indonesian Film Festival he received a special award, the Pikiran Rakyat Trophy, for his lengthy career. Mochtar died in Jakarta on 1 December 1981.


Filmography

During his 42-year career, Mochtar appeared in some 63 films. He also handled cinematography on 2 films.


Cast

*'' Alang-Alang'' (1939) *''
Rentjong Atjeh ''Rentjong Atjeh'' (EYD, Perfected Spelling: ''Rencong Aceh''; meaning ''Rencong of Aceh'') is a 1940 action film from the Dutch East Indies directed by The Teng Chun. Telling of a group who take revenge against pirates in the Strait of Malacca, it ...
'' (1940) *'' Dasima'' (1940) *'' Matjan Berbisik'' (1940) *''
Matula ''Matula'' () is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) which was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun of Java Industrial Film. The black-and-white film, now likely lost, follows a young man who trie ...
'' (1941) *'' Si Gomar'' (1941) *''Singa Laoet'' (1941) *''
Srigala Item ''Srigala Item'' (Indonesian for ''Black Wolf'', also advertised with the Dutch title ''De Zwarte Wolf'') is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies that was directed by Tan Tjoei Hock and produced by The Teng Chun for Action Film. Starring Hadi ...
'' (1941) *''
Tengkorak Hidoep ''Tengkorak Hidoep'' (literally ''The Living Skeleton'') is a 1941 film from the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) directed by Tan Tjoei Hock. It has been called Indonesia's first domestic horror film. Plot Raden Darmadji and several of his fr ...
'' (1941) *''Boenga Sembodja'' (1942) *''Poelo Inten'' (1942) *''
Berdjoang ''Berdjoang'' (literally "struggle", also known under the title ''Hope of the South'') is a 1943 film from the Japanese-occupied Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). The film, produced by the Japanese studio ''Nippon Eigasha'', is credited as havi ...
'' (1943) *''Di Desa'' (1943) *''Keseberang'' (1944) *'' Bengawan Solo'' (1949) *''Bantam'' (1950) *''Pantai Bahagia'' (1950) *''Terang Bulan'' (1950) *''Tirtonadi'' (1950) *''Air Mata Pengantin'' (1952) *''Neng Yatimah'' (1953) *'' Timuriana'' (1953) *''Djaja Merana'' (1954) *''Sungai Darah'' (1954) *''Bandar Djakarta'' (1955) *''Korupsi'' (1956) *''Teladan'' (1957) *''Menjusuri Djedjak Berdarah'' (1967) *''Djampang Mentjari Naga Hitam'' (1968) *''Apa jang Kau Tjari, Palupi?'' (1969) *''Kutukan Dewata'' (1970) *'' Samiun dan Dasima'' (1970) *''Si Buta dari Gua Hantu'' (1970) *''Api Dibukit Menoreh (Gugurnya Tohpati)'' (1971) *''La Tando di Toradja'' (1971) *''Lampu Merah'' (1971) *''Impas (0 x 0)'' (1971) *''Pendekar Bambu Kuning'' (1971) *''Pendekar Sumur Tudjuh'' (1971) *''Perawan Buta'' (1971) *''Mutiara dalam Lumpur'' (1972) *''
Salah Asuhan ''Salah Asuhan'' (Indonesian: Wrong Upbringing) is an Indonesian novel by Abdul Muis originally published in 1928 by Balai Pustaka. It is widely considered one of the best examples of early modern Indonesian literature. Background ''Salah Asuh ...
'' (1972) *''Gara-gara'' (1973) *''Ratapan Anak Tiri'' (1973) *''Anak yang Menderita'' (1974) *''Pengorbanan'' (1974) *''Sarah'' (1974) *''Apa Salahku'' (1976) *''Tanah Harapan'' (1976) *''Ingin Cepat Kaya (Babi Jadi-jadian)'' (1976) *''Mustika Ibu'' (1976) *''Cobra'' (1977) *''Terminal Terakhir'' (1977) *''Tiada Seindah Cintamu'' (1977) *''Pendekar Tangan Hitam'' (1977) *''M-5 (Menantang Maut)'' (1978) *''Pulau Cinta'' (1978) *''Pacar Seorang Perjaka'' (1978) *''Anak-anak Buangan'' (1979) *''Ach yang Benerrr...'' (1979) *''Detik-detik Cinta Menyentuh'' (1981) *''Bunga Cinta Kasih'' (1981) *''Apanya Dong'' (1983)


Crew

*''Air Mata Pengantin'' (''Tears of a Bride''; 1952) - Cinematographer *''Tirtonadi'' (1950) - Cinematographer


References


Works cited

* * * * * * * * {{authority control 1918 births 1981 deaths Male actors from the Dutch East Indies Male actors from West Java Indonesian male film actors Citra Award winners 20th-century Indonesian male actors Indonesian male stage actors