Usmar Ismail

Directing

Usmar Ismail

Born — Died

1921-03-20 — 1971-01-02

Place of birth

Fort de Kock, Dutch East Indies

Known for

Directing

Credits

41 titles

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 other…

Known for

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

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

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

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

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

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

Film credits

Behind the camera

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The film tells a story about a family with six children. The father is often angry with everyone except the eldest child (Mieke Wijaya). Then the family situation deteriorates further when mother falls ill and is hospitalized. Finally, problems are solved thanks to the calmness and charm of the third sibling (Indriati Iskak).

Sengketa

1957

No artwork available
NR

The film tells a story about a family with six children. The father is often angry with everyone except the eldest child (Mieke Wijaya). Then the family situation deteriorates further when mother falls ill and is hospitalized. Finally, problems are solved thanks to the calmness and charm of the third sibling (Indriati Iskak).

Sengketa

1957

Ananda poster
NR

Irma a.k.a Ananda must struggle through the obstacle of her life for which she might or might not earns something better for her life.

Ananda

1970

Ananda poster
NR

Irma a.k.a Ananda must struggle through the obstacle of her life for which she might or might not earns something better for her life.

Ananda

1970

The Tiger from Tjampa poster
5.0

Set in the 1930s, and narrated like a ballad from the past, "The Tiger from Tjampa" tells of how a young man, Lukman, seeks to avenge his father’s murder by learning pencak silat, a traditional form of self defence, based on the movements of animals.

The Tiger from Tjampa

1953

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

No artwork available
NR

During the time of the confrontation, a group of young men led by Harun broke through the barricades of the Dutch navy patrol and landed at Mentawai Island. Their special mission is to detain Kafedo who is accused of collaborating with the enemy. Both men are romantically involved with Hiya. When the Dutch troops land on the island, Kafedo bravely demonstrates his love for the nation. So in the end, Harun allows Kafedo to marry Hiya.

Kafedo

1953

No artwork available
NR

During the time of the confrontation, a group of young men led by Harun broke through the barricades of the Dutch navy patrol and landed at Mentawai Island. Their special mission is to detain Kafedo who is accused of collaborating with the enemy. Both men are romantically involved with Hiya. When the Dutch troops land on the island, Kafedo bravely demonstrates his love for the nation. So in the end, Harun allows Kafedo to marry Hiya.

Kafedo

1953

No artwork available
NR

During the time of the confrontation, a group of young men led by Harun broke through the barricades of the Dutch navy patrol and landed at Mentawai Island. Their special mission is to detain Kafedo who is accused of collaborating with the enemy. Both men are romantically involved with Hiya. When the Dutch troops land on the island, Kafedo bravely demonstrates his love for the nation. So in the end, Harun allows Kafedo to marry Hiya.

Kafedo

1953

The Artist's Holiday poster
NR

After hearing the mandate of Sukarno during the Second Asian-African Conference, an author named Suromo searches an art form to express the people’s hardship. Together with a failed painter named Rutaf and a film director named Kadjiman, these artists meet a man who works at the National Trade Bank. Interested in the arts, he helps to promote their activities.

The Artist's Holiday

1965

The Artist's Holiday poster
NR

After hearing the mandate of Sukarno during the Second Asian-African Conference, an author named Suromo searches an art form to express the people’s hardship. Together with a failed painter named Rutaf and a film director named Kadjiman, these artists meet a man who works at the National Trade Bank. Interested in the arts, he helps to promote their activities.

The Artist's Holiday

1965

The Artist's Holiday poster
NR

After hearing the mandate of Sukarno during the Second Asian-African Conference, an author named Suromo searches an art form to express the people’s hardship. Together with a failed painter named Rutaf and a film director named Kadjiman, these artists meet a man who works at the National Trade Bank. Interested in the arts, he helps to promote their activities.

The Artist's Holiday

1965

After the Curfew poster
6.2

A hero of revolution returns to civilian life to find the new society very different from the ideals he fought for.

After the Curfew

1954

After the Curfew poster
6.2

A hero of revolution returns to civilian life to find the new society very different from the ideals he fought for.

After the Curfew

1954

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

Djendral Kantjil poster
NR

Arman’s father denies his request for a toy gun, but his mother allows it. With that toy gun, Arman forms a squad called “Berani Mati” or “Ready to Die” with his friends, Hamdan and others. The security in the neighborhood is threatened by the mischief of Bang Hamid, and Arman and his squad, successfully prevent a burglary by him. The residents are proud to have such brave boys in the neighborhood.

Djendral Kantjil

1958

No artwork available
NR

The title “Hurricane and Storm”, is seemingly a translation from Sturm und Drang, a psychological term for puberty or a transition period for an individual's mental state. Kaslan is a conservative and honest bank clerk, while his wife, Miah, is more liberal in terms of discipline. Kaslan is strict with his daughters, Wati and Tina. It makes Wahab afraid to approach the girl of his dream, Wati, since Kaslan always escorts her wherever she goes. Wahab is also jealous by Wati's favourite English teacher and he tries to hang himself when she falls in love with a singer. When the singer rejects Wati, she returns to Wahab. Tina reveals all to her father but before he can scold her, she leaves the house, and returns home only much later. But mother explains about the puberty that Wati is going through. In turn, Wahab also learns to understand Kaslan's reason for his strictness. Then they both graduate from high school.

Masa Topan dan Badai

1963

The Three Maidens poster
8.0

Three sisters—Nunung, Nana and Nenny—are being raised by their grandmother in Jakarta after their mother's death. Though the sisters' father Sukandar lives with them, he is too involved in his own work to pay them heed.

The Three Maidens

1956

The Three Maidens poster
8.0

Three sisters—Nunung, Nana and Nenny—are being raised by their grandmother in Jakarta after their mother's death. Though the sisters' father Sukandar lives with them, he is too involved in his own work to pay them heed.

The Three Maidens

1956

The Three Maidens poster
8.0

Three sisters—Nunung, Nana and Nenny—are being raised by their grandmother in Jakarta after their mother's death. Though the sisters' father Sukandar lives with them, he is too involved in his own work to pay them heed.

The Three Maidens

1956

No artwork available
NR

During the revolution, Japan is defeated but has yet to surrender so a 14-year-old boy insists on joining the army, to avenge his father, who is incarcerated in Nusa Kambangan for murder. His actions are brave yet extreme in every way. Recognising this, the commander promotes the boy to section head, even though all his men are older than he is. He takes the most dangerous missions and as a result, one of his men dies. The late man’s girlfriend then volunteers, and is also killed, after being just as reckless as the boy.

Anak-anak Revolusi

1964

No artwork available
NR

During the revolution, Japan is defeated but has yet to surrender so a 14-year-old boy insists on joining the army, to avenge his father, who is incarcerated in Nusa Kambangan for murder. His actions are brave yet extreme in every way. Recognising this, the commander promotes the boy to section head, even though all his men are older than he is. He takes the most dangerous missions and as a result, one of his men dies. The late man’s girlfriend then volunteers, and is also killed, after being just as reckless as the boy.

Anak-anak Revolusi

1964