Asrul Sani

Writing

Asrul Sani

Born — Died

1927-06-10 — 2004-06-11

Place of birth

Rao, Dutch East Indies

Known for

Writing

Credits

40 titles

Asrul Sani was an Indonesian writer, poet and screenwriter.

Known for

Jembatan Merah poster
NR

Mbok Puspo’s cafe, at the edge of Kalimas, under Jembatan Merah or “Red Bridge”, is a meeting place for many. Mbok Puspo also sells rags for additional income while her adopted daughter, Sudiasih, runs the cafe and is the shining beauty of the place. The regulars are Ngawang, a small time thief who fails to make his wife happy; Kenanga, who becomes a prostitute to spite her husband; Siswanto, a student who does not have the courage to confess his love to Sudiasih; Pungguk the painter; a civil servant, and a postman. The love stories between Siswanto and Sudiasih; and Ngawang and Kenang are the central plots. Seeing Siswanto and Sudiasih’s love, Ngawang and Kenanga also find each other. Meanwhile, Mbok Puspo is in a dilemma when she receives a letter from her child, Sri Bidari, who was adopted by a rich family.

Jembatan Merah

1973

Nagabonar poster
7.1

Nagabonar is a pickpocket. During the withdrawal of the Japanese occupying forces from Indonesia in 1945 he declares himself a general of the Liberation Forces. Soon a mask becomes his true self, and he becomes a true soldier and patriot.

Nagabonar

1986

The Narrow Bridge poster
9.0

The story of Ibrahim, a young teacher, who finds oddities in the life of the village he will live in. His life was influenced by Pak Harun's moral depravity which was decorated with gambling and homosexual acts. Ibrahim succeeded in opening the consciousness of the population. The slander against Ibrahim occurred as if he was crossing a hairline split in seven. Chaos ensues but with the arrival of the old traveler, the truth is revealed.

The Narrow Bridge

1982

Bintang Kejora poster
NR

Bintang Kejora, an adventurer, is a drug seller who is boastful. He is blacklisted everywhere for being a fraud. One time he comes to a drought-stricken village, merely to see a girl he caught a glimpse of, sticking her head out of the window of a passing bus.

Bintang Kejora

1986

Salah Asuhan poster
NR

The story revolves around the Minangkabau Hanafi and his friend, the half-French half-Minangkabau Corrie du Bussée. Although Hanafi is Minangkabau and a Muslim, he considers European culture to be superior and has many European friends.

Salah Asuhan

1972

Bunga Desa poster
NR

Rhoma tries to pull Ratna out of her dark life. Ratna’s pimp opposes the attempt. In a fight, Ratna is stabbed with a knife. Rhoma is shaken and advised to go to the village to rest. There, he falls in love with Sumi, the village beauty. Misfortune also falls on her when she is attacked with sulphuric acid that ruins her face. Returning to the village, he is surprised to find a woman who is similar to both Ratna and Sumi.

Bunga Desa

1988

Film credits

Behind the camera

Jembatan Merah poster
NR

Mbok Puspo’s cafe, at the edge of Kalimas, under Jembatan Merah or “Red Bridge”, is a meeting place for many. Mbok Puspo also sells rags for additional income while her adopted daughter, Sudiasih, runs the cafe and is the shining beauty of the place. The regulars are Ngawang, a small time thief who fails to make his wife happy; Kenanga, who becomes a prostitute to spite her husband; Siswanto, a student who does not have the courage to confess his love to Sudiasih; Pungguk the painter; a civil servant, and a postman. The love stories between Siswanto and Sudiasih; and Ngawang and Kenang are the central plots. Seeing Siswanto and Sudiasih’s love, Ngawang and Kenanga also find each other. Meanwhile, Mbok Puspo is in a dilemma when she receives a letter from her child, Sri Bidari, who was adopted by a rich family.

Jembatan Merah

1973

Jembatan Merah poster
NR

Mbok Puspo’s cafe, at the edge of Kalimas, under Jembatan Merah or “Red Bridge”, is a meeting place for many. Mbok Puspo also sells rags for additional income while her adopted daughter, Sudiasih, runs the cafe and is the shining beauty of the place. The regulars are Ngawang, a small time thief who fails to make his wife happy; Kenanga, who becomes a prostitute to spite her husband; Siswanto, a student who does not have the courage to confess his love to Sudiasih; Pungguk the painter; a civil servant, and a postman. The love stories between Siswanto and Sudiasih; and Ngawang and Kenang are the central plots. Seeing Siswanto and Sudiasih’s love, Ngawang and Kenanga also find each other. Meanwhile, Mbok Puspo is in a dilemma when she receives a letter from her child, Sri Bidari, who was adopted by a rich family.

Jembatan Merah

1973

Nagabonar poster
7.1

Nagabonar is a pickpocket. During the withdrawal of the Japanese occupying forces from Indonesia in 1945 he declares himself a general of the Liberation Forces. Soon a mask becomes his true self, and he becomes a true soldier and patriot.

Nagabonar

1986

The Narrow Bridge poster
9.0

The story of Ibrahim, a young teacher, who finds oddities in the life of the village he will live in. His life was influenced by Pak Harun's moral depravity which was decorated with gambling and homosexual acts. Ibrahim succeeded in opening the consciousness of the population. The slander against Ibrahim occurred as if he was crossing a hairline split in seven. Chaos ensues but with the arrival of the old traveler, the truth is revealed.

The Narrow Bridge

1982

Bintang Kejora poster
NR

Bintang Kejora, an adventurer, is a drug seller who is boastful. He is blacklisted everywhere for being a fraud. One time he comes to a drought-stricken village, merely to see a girl he caught a glimpse of, sticking her head out of the window of a passing bus.

Bintang Kejora

1986

Salah Asuhan poster
NR

The story revolves around the Minangkabau Hanafi and his friend, the half-French half-Minangkabau Corrie du Bussée. Although Hanafi is Minangkabau and a Muslim, he considers European culture to be superior and has many European friends.

Salah Asuhan

1972

Bunga Desa poster
NR

Rhoma tries to pull Ratna out of her dark life. Ratna’s pimp opposes the attempt. In a fight, Ratna is stabbed with a knife. Rhoma is shaken and advised to go to the village to rest. There, he falls in love with Sumi, the village beauty. Misfortune also falls on her when she is attacked with sulphuric acid that ruins her face. Returning to the village, he is surprised to find a woman who is similar to both Ratna and Sumi.

Bunga Desa

1988

Nagabonar Reborn poster
5.0

Naga Bonar appointed himself as a commander of troops and fought against the Dutch. However, on the other hand, he fell in love with Kirana who sided with the Dutch.

Nagabonar Reborn

2019

Chase Me and I'll Catch You poster
8.0

It tells the story of Ramadhan and Monita, two people with opposite personalities who become entangled in a push-and-pull romance, presented with clever humor and social satire.

Chase Me and I'll Catch You

1986

Sorta (Tumbuh Bunga di Sela Batu) poster
NR

After graduating high school, Sorta followed Amang Bukit's orders to become a farmer and not pursue higher education. She meets Daulat, the estranged son of Inang Ria, and falls in love.

Sorta (Tumbuh Bunga di Sela Batu)

1982

Palace of Beauty poster
3.0

Niko, a gay man, is forced by rumours about his sexuality to marry the pregnant Lita who was deserted by a mutual friend. The couple's sex life doesn't amount to much and their relationship becomes more and more tensed through the years.

Palace of Beauty

1988

Noesa Penida (Pelangi Kasih Pandansari) poster
NR

Set in early 20th century Bali, the king of Tabanan is killed, but his daughter, Gusti Ayu Pandansari, survives. She is hidden and raised in a fishing village by loyal followers of the king, I Murda and I Kompyang. Sari is raised along with Murda’s sons, Jaya and Pageh.

Noesa Penida (Pelangi Kasih Pandansari)

1988

The Big Talkers poster
NR

Jamal and Kamil sell clothes on a street corner in Jakarta. The police often chase them. Over time, Jamal becomes angry and intends to change his luck by talking big and “selling” himself. He dresses up to look and act like a rich man, but tastelessly.

The Big Talkers

1988

Markum's Family poster
NR

The sequel of Kejarlah Daku Kau Kutangkap (1986), tells Markum and Marni whose now have a teenage daughter while Ramadan and Ramona have a son. After years of marriage, Markum and Marni, still strive for harmony.

Markum's Family

1986

Istriku Sayang Istriku Malang poster
NR

After being pregnant for the third time, Shinta has to undergo another operation. After this, Shinta becomes frigid. Norman, her husband, then finds himself a girlfriend, Yulia, a colleague. Shinta divorces him and she leaves with her two children to brave Jakarta’s city life. Norman then comes to his senses and tries to look for his wife and children. He manages to find her in a very poor and weak condition before she dies.

Istriku Sayang Istriku Malang

1977

Al Kautsar poster
8.0

No synopsis available yet.

Al Kautsar

1977

What Are You Looking For, Palupi? poster
NR

This first Indonesian international award winning film is about a story about a woman with her unhappy life who seeks for something.

What Are You Looking For, Palupi?

1969

What Are You Looking For, Palupi? poster
NR

This first Indonesian international award winning film is about a story about a woman with her unhappy life who seeks for something.

What Are You Looking For, Palupi?

1969

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

Doctor Siti Pertiwi Returns to the Village poster
NR

After her graduation as a doctor, Siti Pertiwi is sent to the Menggala area in Lampung. She has to deal with many problems, such as the corrupt paramedics who assist her and the villagers’ fear of the shaman – Atuk Raja – and his men. These problems have complicated her role as the local doctor. Then she receives help from a student who interns in the area. Unfortunately, the assistance invites gossip.

Doctor Siti Pertiwi Returns to the Village

1979

No artwork available
NR

Abdul Rauf is a novelist. On his journey to find inspiration in the war-torn Vietnam, Rauf loses a friend in a battle. He feels the destruction of human dignity in war. In addition, Rauf fails to win the love of Bulan, the girl of his dream as her mother considers that he has no future. When he goes to Singapore, he meets Kartika, the guitar player and daughter of Dr. Ibrahim Mahmud M.A., an Indonesian dictionary researcher. Kartika happens to be a friend of Rauf’s cousin, Ria, and they have just returned from Tokyo and stopped in Singapore to visit Ria’s parent who is a diplomat. Kartika, who is spoiled by her father, is attracted to Rauf and they fall in love. Kartika’s father does not like Rauf as the latter once dubbed him as a lice-seeking grandpa. Dr. Mahmud then becomes sympathetic after he reads Rauf’s latest novel given to him by Kartika.

Take Me Away

1981

Malin Kundang (Anak Durhaka) poster
NR

A young man forgot his roots after spending his childhood at sea.

Malin Kundang (Anak Durhaka)

1971

Life Crisis poster
NR

As the time to retire comes, Abdurahman, a department employee who is honest, diligent and down-to-earth, has prepared himself. He manages to finish a university degree, with which he is sure that he can live his retirement period in peace with his six children. What happens is the opposite; he cannot get a new job. Susana, one of his daughters, becomes a prostitute. His wife, Ina in an effort to get money, is seduced by her own stepfather and is then caught in the act by her mother. On top of these troubles, his other daughter, Aminah, returns from abroad before finishing her studies because she is pregnant and is going through a mental breakdown. Corruption and the social depravity that it causes is the film’s theme.

Life Crisis

1977

Life Crisis poster
NR

As the time to retire comes, Abdurahman, a department employee who is honest, diligent and down-to-earth, has prepared himself. He manages to finish a university degree, with which he is sure that he can live his retirement period in peace with his six children. What happens is the opposite; he cannot get a new job. Susana, one of his daughters, becomes a prostitute. His wife, Ina in an effort to get money, is seduced by her own stepfather and is then caught in the act by her mother. On top of these troubles, his other daughter, Aminah, returns from abroad before finishing her studies because she is pregnant and is going through a mental breakdown. Corruption and the social depravity that it causes is the film’s theme.

Life Crisis

1977

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Pilihan Hati

1964

The Moon on the Graveyard poster
NR

Back when urbanization was a new phenomenon, this film captured the aspirations desired by three young men from North Sumatera of Batak ethnicity. As the case with other regional area, people from the rural realm were convinced that their way of live is inadequate, so that they "need" to make it in the city, or bust. So Sabar, Tigor and Sahat went up and down their luck in order to find their desired "gold" in a strange land.

The Moon on the Graveyard

1973

The Moon on the Graveyard poster
NR

Back when urbanization was a new phenomenon, this film captured the aspirations desired by three young men from North Sumatera of Batak ethnicity. As the case with other regional area, people from the rural realm were convinced that their way of live is inadequate, so that they "need" to make it in the city, or bust. So Sabar, Tigor and Sahat went up and down their luck in order to find their desired "gold" in a strange land.

The Moon on the Graveyard

1973

Ibu Sejati poster
NR

Assisted by the Dutch, Landlord Darto (Mansjur Sjah) manages to accumulate wealth by deceiving farmers. One of the poor farmers who tried to defend his farmland was killed. The poor farmer's son Sani (Farouk Afero) returns home from boarding school to look for his father's killer.

Ibu Sejati

1973

Nada dan Dakwah poster
NR

The people of Pandanwangi village are upset at news that their land will be appropriated by a large conglomerate. Conflict over the land emerges and escalates between the villagers and representatives of the conglomerate. The villagers have come to view the situation as more of a matter of morality than of land ownership after finding out that a bar and billiards center will be built there. The head of the village’s Islamic boarding school, H. Murad, who is assisted by H. Rhoma, attempts to influence the villagers to refuse to sell their land. Eventually, the charismatic religious leader KH Zainuddin MZ succeeds in mediating the conflict, and even influences the conglomerate owner, Bustomi (WD. Mochtar), to rethink his plans. The land conflict theme of this film is interesting in that it reflects the social issues arising out of the rapid pace of development of the time. This may be Rhoma Irama’s best film, even though it was not very popular.

Nada dan Dakwah

1991

Tauhid poster
NR

A group of pilgrims travels to Mecca for the Hajj. During the journey, they encounter Halim, a doctor who has traveled to the Holy Land several times but never been moved to perform the pilgrimage.

Tauhid

1964

Tauhid poster
NR

A group of pilgrims travels to Mecca for the Hajj. During the journey, they encounter Halim, a doctor who has traveled to the Holy Land several times but never been moved to perform the pilgrimage.

Tauhid

1964

The Barbed-Wire Fences poster
10.0

This war drama finds a group of rebels grappling with their imprisonment while in the custody of Dutch colonialists.With several of their comrades recently executed, the soldiers are left to contemplate their fates – and plan a possible escape – as the threat of their impending mortality closes in.

The Barbed-Wire Fences

1961

The Barbed-Wire Fences poster
10.0

This war drama finds a group of rebels grappling with their imprisonment while in the custody of Dutch colonialists.With several of their comrades recently executed, the soldiers are left to contemplate their fates – and plan a possible escape – as the threat of their impending mortality closes in.

The Barbed-Wire Fences

1961

Ateng Mata Keranjang poster
NR

Ateng and Iskak are two labourers. They meet Eddy Sud, a scholar-impostor and two eccentric men who carry a treasure map. They agree to look for the treasure. On their journey, the group meets two young girls. Ateng and Iskak start to flirt with the girls. Meanwhile, there is a group of criminals who wants to loot the treasure once they dig it up. However, the two eccentric men are just patients from the mental institution who are being trailed by the police.

Ateng Mata Keranjang

1975

Ateng Mata Keranjang poster
NR

Ateng and Iskak are two labourers. They meet Eddy Sud, a scholar-impostor and two eccentric men who carry a treasure map. They agree to look for the treasure. On their journey, the group meets two young girls. Ateng and Iskak start to flirt with the girls. Meanwhile, there is a group of criminals who wants to loot the treasure once they dig it up. However, the two eccentric men are just patients from the mental institution who are being trailed by the police.

Ateng Mata Keranjang

1975

The Independence Pioneers poster
NR

The arrest of Haji Jalaluddin during his sermon leaves a strong impression on the hearts of Hamid and Halimah, his followers. Halimah is a wife who is taken for granted by her husband who is pro-Dutch. Hamid is the son of a rich merchant who falls into poverty after being branded as a rebel. His mother takes him to Padang to be raised by the family of Haji Jakfar, who has a daughter, Zainab. Hamid then studies at Padang Panjang and meets old friends, Fakhrudin and Zainudin. Hamid and Fakhrudin have more similar views with their teacher, while Zainudin is more radical. The latter organises a rebellion and fails. The Dutch keeps arresting people. Hamid, disappointed by Zainab’s marriage to someone else, sails to Mecca. Halimah is left to organise the fight for freedom but in the end, is also captured by the Dutch. The film’s message is that a physical fight for freedom, without being based on religious morality, will become meaningless.

The Independence Pioneers

1980

The Independence Pioneers poster
NR

The arrest of Haji Jalaluddin during his sermon leaves a strong impression on the hearts of Hamid and Halimah, his followers. Halimah is a wife who is taken for granted by her husband who is pro-Dutch. Hamid is the son of a rich merchant who falls into poverty after being branded as a rebel. His mother takes him to Padang to be raised by the family of Haji Jakfar, who has a daughter, Zainab. Hamid then studies at Padang Panjang and meets old friends, Fakhrudin and Zainudin. Hamid and Fakhrudin have more similar views with their teacher, while Zainudin is more radical. The latter organises a rebellion and fails. The Dutch keeps arresting people. Hamid, disappointed by Zainab’s marriage to someone else, sails to Mecca. Halimah is left to organise the fight for freedom but in the end, is also captured by the Dutch. The film’s message is that a physical fight for freedom, without being based on religious morality, will become meaningless.

The Independence Pioneers

1980

Tiga Sekawan poster
NR

An argument erupts within a well-known touring theater group that separates the three friends from their primadona, Ernie Djohan. Kris Biantoro, Ernie’s boyfriend, takes advantage of this chaos, to take over the group. So the three friends start a new group, and fortunately they successfully launch their careers in film.

Tiga Sekawan

1975