Asrul Sani

Writing

Asrul Sani

Born June 10, 1927 · Rao, Dutch East Indies

Died June 11, 2004 · aged 77

Asrul Sani was an Indonesian writer, poet and screenwriter.

Known For

Palace of BeautyPalace of Beauty · 1988
Palace of Beauty
★ 3.01988
MovieDramaRomance
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.
Jembatan MerahJembatan Merah · 1973
Jembatan Merah
1973
MovieDrama
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.
Bunga DesaBunga Desa · 1988
Bunga Desa
1988
MovieDrama
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.
Life CrisisLife Crisis · 1977
Life Crisis
1977
MovieDrama
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.
NagabonarNagabonar · 1986
Nagabonar
★ 7.11986
MovieComedyWar
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.
Terimalah LagukuTerimalah Laguku · 1952
Terimalah Laguku
1952
MovieDrama
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.
Al KautsarAl Kautsar · 1977
Al Kautsar
★ 8.01977
MovieDrama
Ibu SejatiIbu Sejati · 1973
Ibu Sejati
1973
MovieDramaAction
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.

Filmography

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Jembatan MerahJembatan Merah · 1973
Jembatan Merah
1973
MovieDrama
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.

Screenplay

The Independence PioneersThe Independence Pioneers · 1980
The Independence Pioneers
1980
MovieDrama
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.

Director

Nada dan DakwahNada dan Dakwah · 1991
Nada dan Dakwah
1991
MovieDrama
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.

Story