Exclusive! Slamet Rahardjo Djarot Interprets Pandemic As A Universe's Way Of Love

JAKARTA - The year 2022 is opened with the films Cinta Pertama, Kedua, dan Ketiga (First, Second, and Third Love) in theaters. This film summarizes the events experienced during the pandemic in the last two years. As the main player, Slamet Rahardjo Djarot was enthusiastic about the show.

Maybe because of the ripe age of 72 years. Or maybe because of the many life experiences that have been collected, talking about the pandemic with Slamet Rahardjo doesn't seem to be discussing the problem.

Pandemic, for him, is a way of blessing. Starting his career as an actor since 1969, Slamet has starred in dozens of films. Slamet started his acting career through the theater world. He is a member of the Popular Theater directed by the late Teguh Karya. Amazingly, it still exists today.

When offered to play in the films Cinta Pertama, Kedua, dan Ketiga, Slamet was giddy. Likewise, his family is worried about his safety.

"When there is an offer for the film Cinta Pertama, Kedua, dan Ketiga, think first. What film is this? It's a pandemic, why make a film? Children are also worried," he recalled while talking to VOI in the Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, January 3.

To get rid of his worries, Slamet tried to come up with a compromise. "I suggest that in the film we really are in a pandemic. We performers and extras all appear wearing masks. When we live in the same house, usually it doesn't matter if we take off masks. So there is still the possibility of removing masks," he said.

In fact, as long as the shooting went on, everything went smoothly. "What I appreciate from the producers is that they adhere to health protocols. So parents like me are given priority. I was given a special room. There's no need to chat before filming," he explained.

Obeying the protocol, is the key to allaying the worries of the household. Slamet plucked a lot of life experiences while filming during the pandemic.

"It also makes me more confident when my child is worried because of gatherings of people. Calm down the director is a woman, so orderly so you don't worry, you are in the right hands. As long as we respect other people. We don't have unnecessary conversations, thank God there is none of them are infected with COVID-19. There are no symptoms," he explained.

The man who was born in Serang, Banten, January 21, 1949 is the eldest of seven children. Slamet, who studied at the Indonesian Theater Academy (ATNI), is known for his total acting skills. He can melt into the roles he plays.

This Cinta Pertama, Kedua, dan Ketiga film tells the love story of Raja (Angga Yunanda) and Asia (Putri Marino). Raja and Asia have the same responsibility, taking care of their two single parents respectively. If Raja (Angga Yunanda) wants to live independently like his two brothers, Asia (Putri Marino) has chosen to be devoted to her mother, who she feels has sacrificed everything for her.

Then, Dewa (Slamet Radardjo Djarot) and Linda (Ira Wibowo), their parents, began to unite their hearts. The king was happy, Asia hesitated. When Raja convinces Asia that their parents are compatible together, Raja and Asia slowly fall in love. Life may be uncertain, but there is always something that continues to dance and light up in our hearts when we choose to celebrate life.

As Dewa, Slamet admits that he lost himself. The simple and touching family story made him cry when he saw the film. This is his first experience of getting wet eyes after the film is over and the cinema lights are on.

"At first I was annoyed when this film was screened, we waited almost two years. Apparently, God has other plans, apparently, God is on the side of the producer and director. At the opening of the year, hope must appear. And this film gives hope," he explained.

"This film is a simple story, about family love, but apparently it doesn't have to be spectacular. The messenger, and the message is really touching. I came out to see everyone's eyes were wet. I never cried watching a film, because I'm the director, there are lights, but that night I was laughed at, my eyes were wet," he continued.

Slamet felt that he had succeeded in playing Dewa because when he saw the figure of Dewa, he forgot himself. Made to believe in the storyline of the film even though he was shooting it.

"Turns out I played well, it wasn't me. I'm not like that. But there are those like me in Dewa. Life is beautiful, I like to joke, I don't like frowning. Life is happiness, not suffering," he said.

STILL ACTIVE IN PANDEMIC

Slamet Raharjo made his debut with the film Wadjah Seorang Laki-Laki (A Man's Face), 1971. The man who is familiarly called Memet won two trophies at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI).

First at FFI 1975 as Best Leading Actor through the film Ranjang Pengantin. Second, also as the Best Leading Actor at the 1983 FFI through the film Di Balik Kelambu. The two films were both directed by Teguh Karya, Slamet Rahardjo's friend as well as teacher and mentor in the theater and film world.

He has won two Citra trophies. At FFI 1985, Slamet became Best Director through the film Kembang Kertas and FFI 1987 through the film Kodrat. However, since directing Marsinah: Cry Justice in 2000, Slamet has been more focused as a player.

When Indonesian cinema was in suspended animation, Slamet still existed in several independent films and played in soap operas. As soon as Indonesian cinema revived, Slamet Rahardjo returned to exist and appeared in a number of films.

The pandemic has not diminished his enthusiasm to keep working. "Alhamdulillah, until today it is still ok. Can present the films First, Second, and Third Love. Not only my film, but I also heard other films are ok. This means that when people lose their uncertainty, not fear, Indonesian people basically like to watch. They return to cinema," he said.

The news that last year's box office record had been passed by an Indonesian film that aired at the end of the year made him even more optimistic. "The previous film was extraordinary, like before the pandemic. So optimistic," he said.

"This Cinta Pertama, Kedua, dan Ketiga Film has one dream. It turns out that when we are smart about it, it becomes a blessing. Yesterday's film made me happy to see it. I hope people can enjoy it. I love you all my family. So that's what made me cry," continued Slamet Rahardjo.

Adaptable and sincere, is the key to Slamet Rahardjo's long life. Not wanting to complain about the COVID-19 pandemic, Slamet was grateful that the pandemic made him even more grateful to have a family that supports each other.

"This is a kind of tit for tat, before the pandemic we didn't realize that family was important. A house is like a place to stop by. Go in the morning, come home at night. When we have to WFH we realize that a house is not a place to stop, a station, a headquarters where we put our love," he stressed.

"Our wives are there, our children, our elderly mothers. The house suddenly becomes an inspiration that life is beautiful," he explained.

While many people have complained about the pandemic, Slamet is not. He sees the pandemic as a path of love from the universe.

"Oh God, why do we have to go through a pandemic? But that's life, there is a language that we don't understand from the Almighty. But apart from being concerned, frankly, I'm very grateful to have this ordeal. The pandemic is not 100 percent a disaster, a pandemic is also a blessing. Because we open our minds," he said.

As the elderly get a lot of attention and love. As a priority for vaccines given by the government, Slamet responded by continuing to actively work.

"For me, trials from God don't mean we have to stop everything. Indeed, we humans cannot possibly understand all Gods. But as human beings, don't just be silent and pray, make an effort. Well, the effort is health protocols, respecting each other," he stressed.

Not only physical protocols, but prevention of COVID-19 transmission also teaches humans to value life and life more. "If I'm exposed, it means I'm committing a sin. If I transmit it, I'm also committing a sin. Well, that's without us realizing the pillars of faith we live. Indeed, there are 6 important things, with the pillars of faith we run, we run the pillars of Islam easily," he said.

"Why do we have to wash our hands, like a child? But after we go through it, we can see if we don't only have to clean the body but also the spirit. It could be that masks are not just cloth. But a warning to be careful with your words," he continued.

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Words can be slander, Slamet said when we had to learn to wear masks. "You can hurt yourself and others. Masks are not cloth, masks are controllers," he said.

Then why should you keep your distance? "This is very important. Why are people good at praising themselves today? Why do people feel that other people are wrong? It turns out that because they don't have visibility. Too much he sees from the tip of his own nose. So he feels the most self-righteous," he explained.

"By keeping our distance, we can see more broadly. It turns out that it's ok, my daughter is beautiful, it turns out that my wife is still ok not too old. So keeping our distance also means that we are close, but we don't have to stick together like peanuts. We are close in heart, that's intertwined soul," closed Slamet Rahardjo beautifully.