Obama Anak Menteng

Last updated
Obama Anak Menteng
Obama Anak Mmenteng theatrical poster.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by
Written by Damien Dematra
Produced by Raam Punjabi
Damien Dematra
StarringHasan Faruq Ali, Cara Lachelle, Radhit Syam
CinematographyGerman G. Mintapradja
Edited byAndi Pulung Waluyo
Music byTya Subiyakto Satrio
Production
company
Multivision Plus Pictures
Distributed byMultivision Plus Pictures
Release date
  • July 1, 2010 (2010-07-01)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryIndonesia
Languages
  • Indonesian
  • English
Budget$1 million[ citation needed ]

Obama Anak Menteng (also known as Little Obama) is a 2010 biopic drama film written and directed by Indonesian author Damien Dematra in collaboration with John de Rantau. The film is based on Dematra's novel by the same name. Both the book and the film are a fictionalized account of the childhood of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, who lived in Indonesia from 1967 to 1971.

Contents

Plot

Barack "Barry" Obama (Hasan Faruq Ali) moves with his mother Ann Dunham (Cara Lachelle) and stepfather Lolo Soetoro (Radhit Syam) from Menteng to another suburb in Jakarta, Indonesia. Barry befriends two neighborhood children, Slamet (Angga Putra) and Yuniardi, by playing ping pong. He makes more friends at his school. Although his Indonesian is fluent, the other children find Barry strange ("aneh") because of his long nose, curly hair, and black skin. Most can overcome this difference, but the local bully Carut (Yehuda Rumbindi) confronts Obama. The two, and their groups of friends, fight. Barry returns home with a bruised face.

Lolo teaches Barry to box with the help of the effeminate, cross-dressing manservant Turdi (Teuku Zacky). Ann, however, dislikes violence and begins to consider Indonesia a poor place to raise her son. When Barry is playing marbles with his friends, Carut comes with his gang and disrupts the game. In the resulting brawl, Barry punches Carut and pushes his face in the wet mud, humiliating the bully. As Lolo and Turdi praise Barry, Ann tells him that he should apologize to Carut. This advice, which Barry and Lolo reject, leads to a series of fights between Barry's parents.

Carut then challenges Barry and his friends to a game of soccer, with a cash prize for the winners. Lolo and Turdi begin training the boys so that they can win; Turdi also teaches the girls how to be cheerleaders. As the game approaches, Barry cuts his leg on a barbed wire fence and is rushed to the local clinic, where the nurses and doctors are unwilling to treat him unless he waits in the long line for his turn. Disgusted, she calls her father in Hawaii and tells him they will be sending Barry there, hoping to give him a better chance for success.

On the day of the game, Barry has trouble running but is able to lead his team to victory. After seeing Carut's disappointment, Barry and his team talk to the bully and give him the prize money. Barry further apologizes to him, and the two groups are able to be friends. When Barry returns home, his mother tells him that he will be returning to Hawaii to live with his grandparents. Although devastated, Barry listens. His only regret before leaving is being unable to say goodbye to Slamet.

Twenty-six years later, Barry is inaugurated as President of the United States. Slamet watches on television, recalling his childhood with the new president.

Production

Originally planned for 2011, [1] principle filming began the week of May 10, 2010 in the west Java city of Bandung, in Cimahi, West Java, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) southeast of Jakarta. [2] [3] The Bandung location was chosen due to its resemblance to the upscale Menteng neighborhood where Obama had grown up in the 1970s. [4] [5] The film's script was written in three to four weeks and underwent four revisions before it was finalized. [6] It was shot over a period of 25 days, being "rushed" through production in order to be ready for a screening on June 17, 2010, set to coincide with President Obama's planned state visit to Indonesia. [2] [4] [7] [8] [9] Upon cancellation of Obama's visit, the film premiere was rescheduled to July 1, 2010. [8]

Director Dematra is quoted as stating that the film is "60 percent fact and 40 percent fiction". [7] [10] "This is not so much a movie about Barack Obama, but rather about a 10-year-old African-American kid who landed in Indonesia for the first time, and who was going to be confronted with racism, difference and pluralism. And it is this confrontation that may have helped him to become the president of the United States." [11] "It's about his friendships, his hobbies, just a childhood story," said Dematra. "It's not about politics, it's just the story of a boy." [12]

The 100-minute bilingual film was scheduled for release in 60 main theaters nationwide. [2] [4] [6] Multivision Plus Pictures, one of Indonesia's largest film companies, is the production company and distributor. They may seek international release depending on demand, [13] and negotiations are underway for a screening in the United States. [8]

Reception

The premiere in Jakarta was attended by Indonesian-known actors, celebrities, political leaders, and U.S. Ambassador Cameron Hume. [14] Viewers made note that the film was less a historical re-enactment, and more simply a story of a young boy growing up in a strange neighborhood and adapting to a new culture. [15] The Jakarta Globe reported that Seto Mulyadi, the chairman of the National Commission for Child Protection, said "This movie could definitely be an inspiration for children in Indonesia about how amazing the power of dreams are." [16]

Commentator Wimar Witoelar wrote that "The film doesn't show the sensitivities of his adjustment as well as Obama's book Dreams From My Father . But for those not familiar with the Obama story, it offers a decent impression of his trials and tribulations and ultimate victory. Many inaccuracies make the movie a rich target for those who concentrate on detail, which could have been avoided had the producers not aimed for a deadline set by President Obama's June visit, which was cancelled at the last minute." [9]

Dan Abramson of Huffington Post compared the film's trailer to The Karate Kid films. [17] The Week wrote that Little Obama "promises to shed new light on the young "Barry" Obama." [18]

Cast

Hasan Faruq Ali, a 14-year-old American, plays the role of young Barry Obama. [4] [19] Ali was born in Questa, New Mexico, [4] to musicians Shakur Ali and Naseem Nahid, both members of a Sufi Muslim band. [5] South African-born actress Cara Lachelle portrays Obama's mother Ann Dunham, while Indonesian actor Eko Noah portrays stepfather Lolo Soetoro. [4]

The novel

Book cover Obama Anak Menteng cover.jpg
Book cover

Dematra interviewed 30 people prior to writing the novel, [7] Obama Anak Menteng (literally Obama, the Menteng Kid) ISBN   978-979-22-5494-5, which he completed in just four days after one month of research. [6] [20] The novel was published in March 2010 by Gramedia, and had its official launch at Obama's former school, State Elementary School Menteng 01, on March 15, 2010. [21] [22] The novel received some criticism for its portrayal of Obama reciting the Qur'an and praying towards Mecca. [13] When interviewed, director Dematra emphasized that while the scenes are true, the story is not about Obama praying, and he had not decided whether the scene would appear in the film adaptation. [6] It subsequently developed that the scene did not make it into the film, [8] having been dropped as being deemed "too political". [7] [10] [23] The director stated, "That scene wasn't shot because I didn't want people to take it out of context and use it against him". [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menteng</span> District in Jakarta, Indonesia

Menteng is a district in the administrative city of Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Menteng is surrounded by the districts of Senen and Matraman to the east, Tebet and Setiabudi to the south, Tanah Abang to the west, and Gambir to the north. Menteng is bound by the West Flood Canal to the west, Ciliwung River to the south and east, and Kebon Sirih Road to the north. Menteng is the district seat of the Central Jakarta government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Elementary School Menteng 01</span> Public school in Menteng, Jakarta, Indonesia

State Elementary School Menteng 01, also known as SDN Besuki or the Besuki school, is an Indonesian public school in Menteng, Jakarta. US President Barack Obama attended the school for one and a half years when he was growing up in Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Dunham</span> American anthropologist, mother of Barack Obama (1942–1995)

Stanley Ann Dunham was an American anthropologist who specialized in the economic anthropology and rural development of Indonesia. She was the mother of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maya Soetoro-Ng</span> Indonesian-American academic

Maya Kasandra Soetoro-Ng is an Indonesian-born American academic, who is a faculty specialist at the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, based in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She is also a consultant for the Obama Foundation, working to develop the Asia-Pacific Leaders Program. Formerly a high school history teacher, Soetoro-Ng is the maternal half-sister of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.

Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Barack Obama, Sr. (1936–1982) and Stanley Ann Dunham, known as Ann (1942–1995).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family of Barack Obama</span> List of members of the family of Barack Obama

The family of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, is a prominent American family active in law, education, activism and politics. Obama's immediate family circle was the first family of the United States from 2009 to 2017, and are the first such family of African-American descent. His immediate family includes his wife Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lolo Soetoro</span> Indonesian geographer and stepfather of Barack Obama (1935–1987)

Lolo Soetoro, also known as Lolo Soetoro Mangunharjo or Mangundikardjo, was an Indonesian geographer who was the stepfather of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benyamin Sueb</span> Indonesian comedian, actor, and singer (1939–1995)

Benyamin Sueb was an Indonesian comedian, actor and singer. He released 46 studio albums and starred in more than 50 films. He received two Citra Awards for Intan Berduri in 1973 and Si Doel Anak Modern in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barack Obama religion conspiracy theories</span>

Allegations that Barack Obama secretly practices Islam, or that he is the antichrist of Christian eschatology, or covertly holds some other esoteric religious position, have been suggested since he campaigned for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and proliferated after his election as President of the United States in 2008. As with conspiracy theories surrounding his citizenship status, the claims are promoted by various political opponents, with American bloggers and conservative talk radio hosts particularly promoting the theories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slamet Rahardjo</span> Indonesian actor, director, and screenwriter (born 1949)

Slamet Rahardjo Djarot is an Indonesian actor, director, and screenwriter of Javanese-Bantenese descent. He is the elder brother of director, songwriter, and politician, Eros Djarot. Since his directorial debut in 1979 with Rembulan dan Matahari, he has directed and/or written twelve films; one of which, Langitku, Rumahku, was Indonesia's submission to the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991.

<i>Sang Pencerah</i> 2010 Indonesian film

Sang Pencerah is a 2010 Indonesian film directed by Hanung Bramantyo and starring Lukman Sardi, Zaskia Adya Mecca, and Slamet Rahardjo. It is a biopic of Ahmad Dahlan which describes how he came to found the Islamic organisation Muhammadiyah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slamet Rijadi</span> Indonesian Army general

Brigadier General Ignatius Slamet Rijadi was an Indonesian soldier.

<i>Jamila dan Sang Presiden</i> 2009 film by Ratna Sarumpaet

Jamila and the President is a 2009 Indonesian film directed by Ratna Sarumpaet and starring Atiqah Hasiholan and Christine Hakim. It follows the story of a prostitute sentenced to death for killing a government minister.

John de Rantau is an Indonesian film director. His film Denias Senandung Di Atas Awan was Indonesia's submission to the 80th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, but not nominated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Putra Nababan</span>

James Parulian Putra Nababan, commonly known as Putra Nababan is an Indonesian newsreader, journalist, and politician. He has served in the House of Representatives representing Jakarta's 1st electoral district since 2019. He was editor-in-chief of MetroTV. He has received four Panasonic Gobel awards.

<i>Semesta Mendukung</i> 2011 Indonesian film

Semesta Mendukung, often abbreviated Mestakung, is a 2011 Indonesian family film directed by John de Rantau. It follows a young Madurese boy as he searches for his mother through the International Physics Olympiad.

Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung Irwan Susetyo Pakusadewo or better known as Tio Pakusadewo is an Indonesian actor of Javanese descent.

Unique Priscilla Mauretha Hadisoemartho, better known as Cilla, is an Indonesian model and actress.

<i>Barry</i> (2016 film) 2016 film

Barry is a 2016 American drama film directed by Vikram Gandhi about Barack Obama's life at Columbia University in 1981. It stars Devon Terrell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ashley Judd, Jenna Elfman, Ellar Coltrane, Avi Nash, and Linus Roache. It was screened in the Special Presentations section at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was released on Netflix on December 16, 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Winarno, Hery (March 17, 2010). "Film 'Obama Anak Menteng' Digarap 2011". DetikNews (in Indonesian). us.detiknews.com. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 "Indonesia makes film on Obama's childhood". Manorama . manoramaonline.com. May 19, 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Indonesian director begins filming movie about Obama's childhood in Jakarta". Fox News . Associated Press. May 17, 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Tanalee (May 20, 2010). "Indonesian film portrays Obama's early years". Salon.com. Associated Press . Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  5. 1 2 "American Boy Cast to Play 'Little Barry'". Jakarta Globe . 12 May 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Petersen, Zack (17 May 2010). "My Jakarta: Damien Demantra, Director of Obama Movie". Jakarta Globe . Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Shay, Christopher (July 1, 2010). "Filmmaker Damien Dematra on Obama's Young Life in Indonesia". Time . time.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Schonhardt, Sara (June 30, 2010). "'Little Obama': Indonesia premieres movie despite Obama's absence". Christian Science Monitor . csmonitor.com. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  9. 1 2 Witoelar, Wimar. "A new movie recounts President Obama's childhood in Indonesia". Asia Society . asiasociety.org. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  10. 1 2 "Indonesia movie on US president set for launch". Daily Nation . nation.co.ke. June 30, 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  11. ↑ Lavabre, Louise (August 1, 2010). "The riddle of Damien Dematra". The Jakarta Post . thejakartapost.com. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  12. ↑ "'Little Obama' Movie Coming Soon: Indonesian Film Portrays President Obama As Youngster". Huffington Post . May 20, 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  13. 1 2 "Indonesian film makers plan Obama movie". BBC News. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  14. ↑ "Polémica y flashes en el estreno de una película indonesia sobre la infancia de Obama". Euronews (in Spanish). es.euronews.net. June 30, 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  15. ↑ Kurniasari, Triwik (July 4, 2010). "Audiences mixed on 'Obama Anak Menteng'". Jakarta Post . thejakartapost.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  16. ↑ Bilhuda, Rizqon (July 2, 2010). "'Obama' Hits Cinemas With A Message of Acceptance". Jakarta Globe . perspektif.net. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  17. ↑ Abramson, Dan (August 5, 2010). "'Little Obama': The President Portrayed as 'The Karate Kid'". Huffington Post . Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  18. ↑ "What is 'Little Obama'?". The Week . theweek.com. May 25, 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  19. 1 2 Green, Toby (July 1, 2010). "Meet 'The Menteng Kid' (a.k.a. Obama)". The Independent . independent.co.uk. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  20. ↑ "Pingpong and tolerance: Young American portrays Obama's childhood in Indonesian film". Fox News . Associated Press. May 20, 2010. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  21. ↑ "Book About Obama Launched at his Former School". Jakarta Globe . 15 March 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  22. ↑ ""Obama Anak Menteng" Diluncurkan". Antara (in Indonesian). antaranews.com. March 15, 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  23. ↑ "Obama movie set for debut". Straits Times . straitstimes.com. June 30, 2010. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.