Usmar Ismail

Directing

Usmar Ismail

Born 1921-03-20 · Fort de Kock, Dutch East Indies

Usmar Ismail (born March 20, 1921 - January 2, 1971) was an Indonesian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is dubbed the godfather of Indonesian films. The date of Indonesia's National Film Day (March 30), is dated from the first day of shooting Darah dan Doa (1950), Ismail's third film. His talents further developed while working at Keimin Bunka Sidosho (the Japanese Cultural Center Headquarters). There, he collaborated with Armijn Pane and other cultural figures to stage theatrical performances. In 1943, he founded and became the chairman of the theater group Sandiwara Penggemar "Maya" along with Abu Hanifah, Rosihan Anwar, Cornel Simanjuntak, Sudjojono, H.B. Jassin, and others. After the proclamation of independence, Usmar served in the military and became actively involved in journalism in Jakarta. When the Dutch returned with Allied forces, he joined the Indonesian National Army (TNI) in Yogyakarta with the rank of major. Along with his colleagues Sjamsuddin Sutan Makmur and Rinto Alwi, they established a newspaper named Rakyat. In the field of editorial work and journalism, Usmar was one of the founders and editors of Harian Patriot, the editor of the monthly magazine Arena in Yogyakarta (1948), and Gelanggang in Jakarta (1966-1967). He also served as the chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association (1946-1947). During his time as a journalist, Usmar was imprisoned by the Dutch for allegedly engaging in subversive activities. At the time, he was working as a political reporter at Kantor Berita Antara and was covering the Dutch-Indonesian negotiations in Jakarta. This incident occurred in 1948. In his later career, Usmar developed a more serious interest in filmmaking. He became actively involved in organizations related to theater and film. He served as chairman of the Yogyakarta Cultural Deliberation Body (1946-1948), chairman of the Yogyakarta Artists Theater Association (1946-1948), chairman of the Indonesian National Theater Academy in Jakarta (1955-1965), and chairman of the National Film Deliberation Body (BMPN). BMPN played a key role in urging the government to establish the "National Film Development Policy" in 1967. He was known as a co-founder of the Indonesian National Film Company with Djamaluddin Malik and other film entrepreneurs, eventually becoming its chairman from 1954 to 1965.

Acting credits

Behind the camera

The Long March poster
8.0

It tells the story of an Indonesian revolutionary who falls in love with one of his Dutch prisoners.

The Long March

1950

The Long March poster
8.0

It tells the story of an Indonesian revolutionary who falls in love with one of his Dutch prisoners.

The Long March

1950

The Long March poster
8.0

It tells the story of an Indonesian revolutionary who falls in love with one of his Dutch prisoners.

The Long March

1950

The Big Village poster
NR

Partoyo, a big-time businessman, abandons his family because of work. A sociopolitical snapshot of Jakarta in the changing governance.

The Big Village

1969

The Big Village poster
NR

Partoyo, a big-time businessman, abandons his family because of work. A sociopolitical snapshot of Jakarta in the changing governance.

The Big Village

1969

The Big Village poster
NR

Partoyo, a big-time businessman, abandons his family because of work. A sociopolitical snapshot of Jakarta in the changing governance.

The Big Village

1969

Whips of Fire poster
3.0

Suro becomes obsessed with Ujung as a tool to take power over the village. His ambition stumbles when his daughter, Marni, falls in love with Kasan, an ordinary peasant from the same village.

Whips of Fire

1958

No artwork available
NR

The title was taken from a popular Minang folk-song by Gumarang Orchestra, conducted by Asbon. This film was not released.

Laruik Sandjo

1960

No artwork available
NR

The title was taken from a popular Minang folk-song by Gumarang Orchestra, conducted by Asbon. This film was not released.

Laruik Sandjo

1960

No artwork available
NR

The title was taken from a popular Minang folk-song by Gumarang Orchestra, conducted by Asbon. This film was not released.

Laruik Sandjo

1960

Heboh poster
NR

Prior to his death, Mutalib tycoon ordered his son Dullah to search for a legacy that is listed on the secret map. Fearing that his son, who had been studying abroad, knew only the truth, Mutalib asked his friends, Cepot and Udel to help and guide his son, including being told about the secret map. Joko, the deceased's assistant, is trying to seize the map with the help of Mutalib's private secretary, Fatimah. Udel and Tjepot were kidnapped and threatened by Jim. Udel and Tjepot fled to Sukadamai. This run was made funny. Joko successfully snatched the map from the Dullah and went to Sukadamai which was the clue to the inheritance. Thanks to the help of Udel and Tjepot, the Dullah was able to find the treasure. What is the content of that inheritance? Just a piece of paper urging Dullah to work. The insane Dullah who wanted to work hard after getting the message, also fell in love with the local girl, Siti.

Heboh

1954

No artwork available
NR

During the revolution, Jaka takes refuge and entrusts his house to Husin. Husin then rents the house to someone else and Maryam has to face this bitter fact. She is visited by Danu and his wife Ratih, whom Danu likes to spoil, using state funds. He is arrested when his baby’s shower party is being held. Out of shock, his pregnant wife prematurely delivers the baby and loses a lot of blood. While the others are busy panicking, the cool and composed Ridwan donates his blood. This act of compassion attracts Ros’s attention and she falls in love with him.

Krisis

1953

No artwork available
NR

During the revolution, Jaka takes refuge and entrusts his house to Husin. Husin then rents the house to someone else and Maryam has to face this bitter fact. She is visited by Danu and his wife Ratih, whom Danu likes to spoil, using state funds. He is arrested when his baby’s shower party is being held. Out of shock, his pregnant wife prematurely delivers the baby and loses a lot of blood. While the others are busy panicking, the cool and composed Ridwan donates his blood. This act of compassion attracts Ros’s attention and she falls in love with him.

Krisis

1953

Shadows at Dawn poster
NR

Revolves around a conflict between two step -siblings Omar and Salim. Salim who lives in the village works on a rubber plantation inherited by their father. While Omar is in the city depending on the money sent by Salim to finance his extravagant lifestyle.

Shadows at Dawn

1962

Shadows at Dawn poster
NR

Revolves around a conflict between two step -siblings Omar and Salim. Salim who lives in the village works on a rubber plantation inherited by their father. While Omar is in the city depending on the money sent by Salim to finance his extravagant lifestyle.

Shadows at Dawn

1962

Shadows at Dawn poster
NR

Revolves around a conflict between two step -siblings Omar and Salim. Salim who lives in the village works on a rubber plantation inherited by their father. While Omar is in the city depending on the money sent by Salim to finance his extravagant lifestyle.

Shadows at Dawn

1962

No artwork available
NR

The arrogant young man, Harsono debauches Suryani and leaves her for the city. Harsono's brother, Sutopo takes responsibility by marrying the girl who he is actually in love with. In the city, Harsono is drawn to the floozy Sandra. When he realizes his mistake, he takes it out on Sandra. Sandra's death, however, is caused by a heart attack, and not by his actions. Harsono goes back to his village. Sutopo tries to reconcile Suryani with Harsono when he returns. But Suryani chooses to stay with her husband, Sutopo.

Tjitra

1949

Victim of Slander poster
7.5

Husein is brought to trial after trying to commit suicide. He refuses to give an explanation until he is forced to. Then he begins his story. Husein enters university with help from his unmarried brother, Hasan, who dedicates his life for Husein and his sister Munah who has a heart ailment. But when Hasan meets Rahimah, Husein’s friend, Wahab, gets jealous as he considers her as his girlfriend. Wahab is very bitter about this and swears revenge. At Munah’s urging, Hasan marries Rahimah. Their happiness is short-lived since Wahab starts to woo Rahimah. After Husein punches Wahab, the latter starts spreading slander. He tells Hasan that Husein is sleeping with Rahimah. Jealousy and rage start to build up and Husein and the pregnant Rahimah are thrown out of the house.

Victim of Slander

1959

Terimalah Laguku poster
NR

Iskandar is a talented clarinet player who trains under an old musician named Sobari. He also has moral support from his girlfriend. But when he becomes successful, he forgets about Sobari, his friends and his girlfriend. Only when his career crumbles does Iskandar remember again his girlfriend and friends.

Terimalah Laguku

1952

No artwork available
NR

Anwar returns to his village and actively preaches about going on the holy pilgrimage. Kyai Anwar sees him as a rival and calls Anwar a fake clerk and won’t allow his daughter, Rokayah, to have a relationship with Anwar. His hidden agenda is his fear about losing his broker business that holds most of the villager’s money, planning to go on the pilgrimage. This challenge is faced and solved by Anwar.

Ja Mualim

1968

No artwork available
NR

Anwar returns to his village and actively preaches about going on the holy pilgrimage. Kyai Anwar sees him as a rival and calls Anwar a fake clerk and won’t allow his daughter, Rokayah, to have a relationship with Anwar. His hidden agenda is his fear about losing his broker business that holds most of the villager’s money, planning to go on the pilgrimage. This challenge is faced and solved by Anwar.

Ja Mualim

1968

No artwork available
NR

Anwar returns to his village and actively preaches about going on the holy pilgrimage. Kyai Anwar sees him as a rival and calls Anwar a fake clerk and won’t allow his daughter, Rokayah, to have a relationship with Anwar. His hidden agenda is his fear about losing his broker business that holds most of the villager’s money, planning to go on the pilgrimage. This challenge is faced and solved by Anwar.

Ja Mualim

1968

No artwork available
NR

Abdulkadir is a scrooge. He works as a loan shark. His daughter, Suliati, is going steady with Ahmad. But Abdulkadir resents his daughter's lover due to his poverty. Instead, he pairs off Suliati with the wealthy Abdulrachman. Meanwhile, Abdulkadir is dating Rohana, his own son, Ramelan's girlfriend. Finally, it is revealed that Ahmad is actually Abdulrachman's son. In the end, Ahmad gets to marry Suliati.

Harta Karun

1949

No artwork available
NR

Abdulkadir is a scrooge. He works as a loan shark. His daughter, Suliati, is going steady with Ahmad. But Abdulkadir resents his daughter's lover due to his poverty. Instead, he pairs off Suliati with the wealthy Abdulrachman. Meanwhile, Abdulkadir is dating Rohana, his own son, Ramelan's girlfriend. Finally, it is revealed that Ahmad is actually Abdulrachman's son. In the end, Ahmad gets to marry Suliati.

Harta Karun

1949