''Seindah Rembulan'' (''As Beautiful as the Moon'') is a 1980 Indonesian film directed by Syamsul Fuad. It features Iis Sugianto,

Sys NS Haryo Heroe Syswanto Ns. Soerio Soebagio (18 July 1956 – 23 January 2018), better known as Sys NS, was an Indonesian radio personality and politician. Biography Early life and music career Sys was born in Semarang, Central Java, on 18 July 19 ...

Chrisye Hajji Chrismansyah Rahadi (; 16 September 1949 – 30 March 2007), born Christian Rahadi (), better known by his stage name Chrisye (), was an Indonesian progressive pop singer and songwriter. In 2011 ''Rolling Stone Indonesia'' declared hi ...

, and

Lydia Kandou Lydia Ruth Elizabeth Kandou or better known as Lydia Kandou (born in Jakarta, Indonesia on February 21, 1963) is an Indonesian actress and model of mixed Dutch, Filipino and Minahasan descent. Biography Kandou was born in Jakarta on 21 Febru ...

in a story about a singer working to support her family. It spawned a soundtrack album.

Plot

A pop music singer (Iis Sugianto) must perform to help her family, including her ailing father. Meanwhile, her boyfriend (

) and another couple (

and

) also sing.

Production

''Seindah Rembulan'' was directed by Syamsul Fuad and featured songs written by Rinto Harahap. Sys NS and Iis Sugianto were cast in the leading roles, while Lydia Kandou was cast as another leading woman. Pop singer

, who had previously had a cameo in 1979's ''

Gita Cinta dari SMA ''Gita Cinta dari SMA'' (''Love Song in High School'') is a 1979 Indonesian film directed by Arizal and starring Rano Karno and Yessi Gusman. Plot Galih (Rano Karno) and Ratna (Yessi Gusman) are two high school students who excel at everything ...

'' (''Love Song at High School'') but otherwise never had a role in a film, was convinced to participate by his friend Sys NS; Sys NS asked him "when is the next time you will feel what it is like to date a movie star?" Chrisye, used to the recording industry where he could record as he wished, was upset by the frequently laid-back nature of production and waiting for others. He occasionally fought with the director and threatened to walk out several times. After filming was finished, he decided never to make another movie.

Release and reception

''Seindah Rembulan'' was released in 1980 and fairly successful. The theme song continues to be performed, such as at a tribute concert to Rinto Harahap in Jakarta in April 2012, where it was performed by Iis Sugianto in a duet with Marcell.

Soundtrack album

A soundtrack album also entitled ''Seindah Rembulan'' was released along with the film. It featured Iis Sugianto and Chrisye, a pair which Denny Sakrie – a reporter with ''Rolling Stone Indonesia'' – described as being polar opposites in their musical style. It also featured songs sung by other Indonesian artists. The songs were written by Rinto Harahap and Chrisye, after

Jockie Soerjoprajogo Jockie Soerjoprajogo (; Perfected Spelling: Yockie Suryoprayogo; 14 September 1954 – 5 February 2018) was an Indonesian musician and songwriter. Jockie began his musical career while a junior high school student in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. ...

left the project because of creative differences. The album featured two versions of the theme song. The first, a duet by Sugianto and Chrisye, featured musical direction by Chrisye. The second, directed by Rinto Harahap, had Sugianto perform the song solo. Akmal Nasery Basral, writing in ''Tempo'' magazine twenty years afterwards, called Chrisye's vocals less "whiny" then Sugianto's. Sakrie wrote that Sugianto and Chrisye were like oil and water, with their vocals not mixing well.

Track listing

Notes

References

;Footnotes ;Bibliography * * * * {{refend 1980 films