Kala Nurnaningsih Naked: A Discussion On The Boundary Of Erotism In Indonesian Films Has Begun

Nurnaningsih is in the middle of acting (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Since its appearance in Indonesia in the 1920s, film has been immediately greeted enthusiastically as the newest sensation and entertainment. The touch of eroticism adds to that passion. Simultaneously, a number of figures appeared to fill the space, including Nurnaningsih, who became known as the first sex bomb in Indonesian films.

"Idoep image," people call the film, which is initially silent, then refined with sound processing. Quoted from the 1988 Indonesian Film Festival book, the 1950s were a time when Indonesian film titles were massively produced. The exploitation of sex and women's curves also played out in that era.

Two things are the main attraction. Erotic fantasies overwhelm the audience. However, that passion is confronted with values and norms. As a matter of controversy, eroticism in films has become increasingly popular. Nurnaningsih lived in those passionate eras.

The narrative about the figure of the country's first sex bomb was indeed a puzzle. However, somehow, various literacies seemed to agree to make Nurnaningsih or who is familiarly called Nurna as a figure who pioneered the term sex bomb.

The literature says that Nurna was born in Wonokromo, Surabaya, December 5, 1928. Nurna is a noble descendant. He is the third child of Raden Kadjat Kartodarmdjo and Sukini Martindjung.

Nurnaningsih collided acting (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

Fandi Hutari, in the book Entertainment of the Past and Local Traditions (2011) tells that Nurna had just migrated to Jakarta at the age of 25 years. In the early days of wandering, Nurna lived in a hut on the edge of the Ciliwung River. Many consider Nurna's age when he started to have passed the ideal limit. However, the light within him didn't lie.

The reality of Nurna's dreams comes through Usmar Ismail. The proposal was accepted. The legend appointed Nurna for a role in the film he was working on at the time: Crisis (1953). "Nurna plays Ros. Despite playing the main role, he does not get high pay, only Rp180." But, whatever. Nurna's involvement in Usmar's film was enough. Even it bears sweet fruit.

Usmar's intuition was correct. He has faith in Nurna's flaming rays. The girl does have qualified capital. Before getting into film, Nurna had already played theater and sang. Nurna is not just a miracle for himself. It is also a great blessing for the film ecosystem.

Nurnasari demonstrates a dance on stage (Source: Commons Wikimedia)

At that time, the film Crisis that he starred in was a huge success. In fact, the National Film Company (Perfini), which was initially hit by the financial crisis, was immediately saved thanks to the film Crisis. The name Nurna is getting more fragrant.

"After his debut, Nurna received an offer to appear in the film Harimau Tjampa (1954) directed by D. Djajakusuma. This film was also successful, winning two prestigious awards: best scenario at the Indonesian Film Festival and best music at the Asian Film Festival in 1955, "wrote Fandy Hutari.

In the second film, Nurna's name was ordained as a sex bomb. And no other before him. The mass media at that time thoroughly discussed Nurna's action appearing half naked in the film Harimau Tjampa. This was accompanied by negative sentiment. Nurna has his own arguments. In his eyes, what he did was exploration of art.

"I will not reduce art, but rather want to get rid of the conservative views that still exist in Indonesian art," said Nurna in 1954, quoted by Ekky Imanjaya in A to Z About Indonesian Film (2006).

Marilyn Monroe Indonesia

The image of Marilyn Monroe Indonesia was then attached to Nurna. It's not just in movies. Nurna explores his body in various other art mediums, such as magazine photos. Nurna's nude photos are famous not only in Jakarta, but also in the United States (US) and Italy.

Quoted from Djambak's writing in the book Nurnaningsih Affair (1955), the photos were initially distributed for sale at a price of Rp200 per sheet. The price then rises to Rp. 300. The police and prosecutors at that time even intervened to stop the spread of Nurna's nude photos.

Of the nine styles of photos in circulation, the police confiscated only seven. However, that did not prevent people from getting Nurna's photo. They turn away, shop on the black market. Nurna, in his confession explained that the nude shoot was his own request. He did it as a study material for nude painters.

Nurnasari poses in a photo (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

"Everything about these nude pictures was explained to me. Those who trade my images will certainly make a lot of money. But, apart from not getting anything, it can also be difficult because I have to go back and forth to face the police department of decency, "Nurna, said in Djambak's writing.

Nurna also explained that in the photo shoot, there were seven army officers who paid to be able to photograph Nurna naked. Apart from that, there were two students involved. Finally, after undergoing examination, Nurna was found innocent and free.

Doesn't work scandal

Nurna could not be hit by a scandal. Various controversial news has actually increased Nurna's popularity. A story illustrates that popularity. Aneka magazine, on December 20, 1955, ran a story when Nurna came to Medan to participate in a theater performance at the end of November that year.

At that time, when he just landed in Bandala Polonia, Medan, Nurna was immediately invaded by thousands of fans. The majority of them said they were curious about the true figure of Nurna.

“Never before had people jostled so much that the glass door of the Polonia restaurant was smashed by someone because they were rushing to find a place to see Nurnaningsih. Never before had the PAU (Air Force Police) in Polonia been so busy monitoring the situation at that time, "wrote Aneka.

It was through various scandals that Nurna was often identified with the American film star, Marilyn Monroe. Denys Lombard in Nusa Jawa: Cross-Culture Volume 1 (1996) reveals that due to the Nurna scandal, the mass media immediately used his case as a basis for questioning the boundaries between art and pornography, a word that was new at that time and needed to be explained with its equivalent of obscenity.

"The debate has not yet been completed. Various seminars from time to time discuss it in earnest. In general the liberals have won a few moves over the last years ... The townspeople are accepting increasingly bold recklessness. The censorship board was either ignored or turned a blind eye, and Nurnaningsih's motto repeated: if you want to go forward, you have to be brave, "wrote Denys.