Story
Set against a historically authentic backdrop of Indonesia's struggle for independence in 1945-1949, during the Van Mook offensive into the heart of republican territory in Central Java in 1947, Merah Putih is a story about young Indonesian cadets who bond together despite their differences in religion, ethnicity, class and culture, to become guerrilla fighters for Indonesia's independence. The film was inspired by the real-life experiences of the brave cadets massacred in Lengkong, and all the men and women who fought for a free and united Indonesia between 1945 and 1948. The movie depicts the diversity of Indonesians through its unique and different characters. There is Amir, a quiet and devout Muslim, (played by prominent actor Lukman Sardi) who gives up his job as a teacher and even leaves his beloved wife to become a cadet, while hot-headed Tomas (Donny Alamsyah) a farmer and christian, comes all the way from Sulawesi to be a soldier in a bid to get revenge against the Dutch soldiers who slaughtered his family. There is also a cocky and elitist playboy Marius (Darius Sinathrya) and his best friend Soerono, who is a priyayi (Javanese aristocrat), as well as the Balinese Hindu street Dayan (T. Rifnu Wikana).
The movie starts with the tough lives of the aforementioned characters in a military school, showing friendship and even competition among them. But the lives of the young cadets changes when Dutch soldiers suddenly attack their camp, tearing them apart. With limited weaponry and forces, they decided to unite to fight against the Dutch and defend their freedom. Combining action, drama, humor, romance, human tragedy and strong personal stories, the movie is aimed at inspiring the new generation with the spirit of the generations before them who fought and sacrificed themselves for the freedoms Indonesia enjoys today.
Idea
The idea of the film first emerged when Allyn asked his close friend Hashim about two old portraits of youths in uniform on his wall. Hashim told Allyn they were pictures of his two uncles, First Lt. R.M. Subianto Djojohadikusumo and Cadet R.M. Sujono Djojohadikusumo, who had died in the battle of Lengkong in 1946. His uncles were the brothers of Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, one of the founding fathers of Indonesia and the economic guru who helped win recognition of Indonesia's independence by the United Nations. "I thought it would make a great Hollywood movie!" said Allyn. Hashim and Allyn agreed that the story of brave young Indonesians willing to sacrifice their lives for the independence of Indonesia needed to be retold to the younger generation of Indonesia – and to the world outside, where few people know much about Indonesia's long and bloody struggle for independence.
Shooting the film
Allyn brought technical experts from Hollywood films to work hand in hand with the Indonesian filmmakers, including Sastha Sunu as editor and Thoersi Argeswara as music director. Shot in 35-millimeter film, Merah Putih gathered a topflight team of special effects and technical experts with experience in Hollywood films, including the British special effects guru Adam Howarth ( Saving Private Ryan , Black Hawk Down ), stunt supervisor Rocky McDonald ( Mission: Impossible 2 , The Quiet American ), make-up and visual effects artist Rob Trenton ( The Dark Knight ), and weaponry expert consultant John Bowring ( The Thin Red Line , X-Men Origins: Wolverine ). The crew shot for about four months in very difficult conditions during the rainy season in Semarang, Yogyakarta, Depok and other places around Indonesia. A fight scene took about four or five days to shoot. A scene about the cadets attacking a Dutch convoy on a bridge, for instance, took six days and hundreds of takes because it involved gunfights and several blasts.
Before the film shoot began, the cast joined a military boot camp for 10 days where they were trained as if they were true military cadets. The daily training consisted of marching, grueling physical training, training in the use of various weapons, and reading the Pancasila, the national ideology. "Every morning we were woken up at 4 a.m. We had to be on the training site on time and studied Indonesian history on a daily basis," Darius said. "This movie is a reminder for all of us of why we become Indonesia at the beginning. I hope this movie can encourage the young generation to love this country and to make our Indonesia better," Donny said. Despite a series of fighting and explosions scenes, you won't find a spectacular amount of action in this film, especially if you are a war movie lover. Allyn said that this first movie was more of an introduction of the characters and transitions of how they became mature. He promised that there would be more action scenes in the second and third movies.
Trilogy
Merah Putih is the first part of the "Merdeka (freedom) Trilogy". The second part, Darah Garuda (Blood of Eagles) was brought out in 2010 and the 3rd part, Hati Merdeka ( Hearts of Freedom ) in 2011.
The national flag of Indonesia is a simple bicolor with two horizontal bands, red (top) and white (bottom) with an overall ratio of 2:3. It was introduced and hoisted in public during the proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945 at 56 Proklamasi Street in Jakarta, and again when the Dutch formally transferred sovereignty on 27 December 1949. The design of the flag has remained unchanged since.
Merdeka is a term in Indonesian and Malay which means "independent" or "free". It is derived from the Sanskrit maharddhika (महर्द्धिक) meaning "rich, prosperous, and powerful". In the Malay archipelago, this term had acquired the meaning of a freed slave. The term is also used in other Indonesian languages.
The Battle of Surabaya was fought between regular infantry and militia of the Indonesian nationalist movement and British and British Indian troops as a part of the Indonesian National Revolution against the re-imposition of Dutch colonial rule. The peak of the battle was in November 1945. The battle was the largest single battle of the revolution and became a national symbol of Indonesian resistance. Considered a heroic effort by Indonesians, the battle helped galvanise Indonesian and international support for Indonesian independence. 10 November is celebrated annually as Heroes' Day.
1957: Hati Malaya is a 2007 Malaysian Malay-language period historical drama film. It was released on 25 October 2007.
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Khadijah Hashim is a Malaysian writer, teacher and journalist. She has worked as a teacher and also as a journalist with local newspapers Utusan Melayu (1974–1976) and Berita Harian (1976–1985). She is better known as a novelist, and has produced 19 novels. She also expanded her creativity in the field of short stories, radio drama scripts, children's books, rhymes and poetry. The children's rhyme book "Sayang Sayang" has been selected to be on Honour List of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) in Basel, Switzerland (2002) and "Semerbak Poetry" in Macau, China (2006). Khadijah continues her interests in writing rhymes, which led to her latest creation of "Putera-puteri Malaysia".
Bawang merah dan bawang putih is a popular traditional Indonesian folklore from Riau involving two siblings with opposite characters, and an unjust step mother. The folktale has a similar theme and moral to the European folktale Cinderella.
Hearts of Freedom or Hati Merdeka, is a 2011 Indonesian drama fiction historical film and was the third film in the Merah Putih trilogy. The first was Merah Putih, followed by Darah Garuda. The films describe how a group of Indonesian army cadets fight for freedom from Dutch colonialism. This film is an adaptation of the Japanese propaganda film Hati Merdeka by Andreas Liong and Ignatius Matulessy in 1944.
Atiqah Hasiholan Alhady is an Indonesian-Arab actress and model.
Mohammad Said Hamid Junid, often credited as Moh. Said HJ, was a film director, storywriter, and actor active in the early cinema of Indonesia. After an unsuccessful career in the theatre he directed some nineteen films, beginning with Boenga Sembodja in 1942.
Donny Alamsyah or Donny Alamsyah Benjamin is an Indonesian actor, best known internationally for his role in action films Merantau (2009) and The Raid (2011). He became well known in Indonesia for his appearance in the 2006 criminal drama film 9 Naga.
Darah dan Doa is a 1950 Indonesian war film directed and produced by Usmar Ismail, telling the story of the Siliwangi Division and its leader Captain Sudarto on a march to West Java. Following Ismail's Dutch-produced Tjitra (1949), Darah dan Doa is often cited as the first 'Indonesian' film, and the film's first day of shooting – 30 March – is celebrated in Indonesia as National Film Day.
Merdeka 17805 is a 2001 Japanese war film by Yukio Fuji which depicts a Japanese soldier who arrives in the Dutch East Indies during the occupation and stays to fight in the Indonesian National Revolution. The film emphasised the Empire of Japan's role in Indonesia's independence, leading several writers to describe it as propaganda. It was also controversial in Indonesia owing to concerns of historical revisionism, because Japan's occupation of the area is depicted as the Empire protecting it from Western aggression. The film was a financial success in Japan.
Teuku Rifnu Wikana is an Indonesian actor of Acehnese descent. He became famous after starring in the films 9 Naga and Mendadak Dangdut in 2006. He was born in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra.
Fatahillah, Fadhillah Khan, or Falatehan was a commander of the Sultanate of Demak who is known for leading the conquest of Sunda Kelapa in 1527 and changing its name to Jayakarta. The conquest of Sunda Kelapa was one of his missions to spread Islam to West Java. He is widely recognized a national hero in Indonesia.
Selamat Berdjuang, Masku! is a 1951 Indonesian film directed by R.H. Andjar Subyanto and starring Raden Sukarno and Marlia Hardi. It follows a former guerrilla leader who must pursue his love despite the interference of his former comrades.
Aryo Puspito Setyaki Djojohadikusumo is an Indonesian politician of Gerindra party who served as a member of the People's Representative Council between 2014 and 2019.
The Independence Day of Indonesia is a national holiday in Indonesia commemorating the anniversary of Indonesia's proclamation of independence on 17 August 1945. It was made a national holiday by government decree in 1946.
Conor Allyn is an American director, screenwriter, and producer from Dallas, Texas, who is best known for the 2021 film No Man's Land.
Raden Mas Margono Djojohadikusumo was an Indonesian politician and banker. He was the founder and the first president of Bank Negara Indonesia, and was also a member of the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence.
