Shodanco Soeprijadi Film Prepared, Script to be Adjusted with PETA Archives

Fadli Zon with the PETA Central Foundation at the Ministry of Culture Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (29/7). (IST)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Culture and the Foundation for the Defense of the Homeland (PETA) are preparing a film about Shodanco Soeprijadi and PETA's struggle. The film script will be adjusted to historical data so that it is not only strong artistically, but can also be held accountable.

The plan was discussed by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon together with the PETA Central Foundation at the Ministry of Culture Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (29/7).

Fadli said the government was preparing a number of films with the theme of fighting to defend independence. The focus is directed at the period 1945-1950.

"The big theme is about the war to defend independence, according to the President's instructions. We do not use the term revolution, but rather the war to defend independence, because our historiography is mostly in the 1945-1950 period," said Fadli.

According to Fadli, the film project is still in the stage of developing the script. Therefore, the PETA Foundation was invited to be involved in the preparation of the script and verification of historical sources.

The involvement of the screenwriter and the PETA Foundation is considered important to ensure that the story being raised does not deviate from the historical record.

Chairman of the PETA Foundation Tinton Suprapto proposed that the history of PETA in the period 1943-1945 be made into a short film. As for the story of Shodanco Soeprijadi was developed into a feature film.

He said the research and film story had been compiled by Jujur Prananto. The project is now entering the stage of determining the director, forming a creative team, as well as preparing the budget and investment scheme.

Apart from the film, the meeting discussed the proposal for titles, service marks, and honorary marks for PETA pioneers. The PETA Foundation has submitted 20 names. A total of 16 names have been approved at the level of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The next process is still waiting for verification by the Presidential Military Secretariat and discussion by the Degree Council.

The Ministry of Culture and the PETA Foundation will follow up on the verification of the proposed title. The two will also finalize the production of the Shodanco Soeprijadi film, devise an investment scheme, and strengthen the curation of history in every stage of production.