The Story Of The Papua Kid First Acting On The President's Bike

Elias, Saulus, Dede (VOI)

JAKARTA - Director Garin Nugroho presents a children's film entitled The President's Bike. Uniquely, this film features three main characters which is their first debut in acting.

The three actors are Arnol Aner Asmuruf, Elias Fortunatus Padwa, and Anthonio Ramandei. They are Papuan children who were found after going through various casting processes. They act as three friends who meet the character of Binar, played by Ariel Tatum.

The casting process is done by casting. Arnol explained that he was asked to audition while he was studying in class, while Anthonio, who is also called Dede, did the casting with two of his friends.

"If I cast together with him. Previously I had two friends, Eno and Pieter. The story is that we cast the first day after that the next day they failed and I joined the casting with many friends. After that casting, casting, casting continues to appear," said Dede to VOI.

Elias also had a different experience where he was taken from Raja Ampat to Sorong, the location of the Presidential Bike shooting. Acting for the first time made The Papua Kid feel happy because this film really displays Papua beautifully. They also act as themselves so they can act naturally.

“I'm happy because so many people ask for photos. Yesterday at the premiere, many asked for photos. In fact, I want to (play the film) for one year," said Dede.

Filming with Ariel Tatum

Thanks to the film President's Bike, they can compete acting with Ariel Tatum. Their closeness was felt because they often went together during filming in Papua.

“The first time I walked around, I kept asking for instant noodles. If we go, we will tell you this is a protected forest,” said Saul.

They also like to prank Ariel Tatum on several occasions, one of which they deliberately speak quickly.

"Me and he like to jail sis Ariel, for example, speak quickly. We said that we used to tease Ariel like that," said Dede.

"If sis Ariel gives it back, we will give it again quickly," said Saul.

Papua

Filming in Papua is a pleasure for The Papua Kid. This film shows various places and customs that people usually do. "I'm very proud because there are a lot of islands that people don't know about and in this film they get to know and they go there. So it's a tourist spot," he continued.

Both Dede, Saul, and Elias had a choice of places in Papua which they really liked during filming.

“Kalibiru! For example, in a remote island, Kalibiru, he has to use a car, then use a boat and keep going again,” explained Dede.

“Kalibiru is also very fun. If you take a walk in the morning, you can see the birds of paradise,” added Saul. Different from the two, Elias prefers Piaynemo because it is a suitable place to be a tourist spot.

Dede, Saul, and Edo hoped that their first film, Bicycle President, could open up opportunities for other works. The beauty of Papua is also expected to be shown through other films.

“I want a continuation of the film because this film is very good at highlighting the beauty of Papua and showing Papuan children have talent. Papuan children catch them quickly, so that's how it is," concluded Dede.