Ali Sadikin Officialized The Hajj Film Center Usmar Ismail In History Today, October 20, 1975

The Governor of DKI Jakarta 1966-1977, Ali Sadikin, together with Usmar Ismail (center). (Perpusnas)

JAKARTA History today, 47 years ago, October 20, 1975, Jakarta Governor Ali Sadikin inaugurated the Hajj Film Center Usmar Ismail (PPHUI). The presence of the film center is a form of appreciation for the contribution of the National Film Father, Usmar Ismail, who has passed away.

Usmar Ismail's spirit in the Indonesian entertainment industry is second to none. In fact, the Indonesian film industry will not move forward now without Usmar Ismail. Ali Sadikin also remembers him as a history crusher. The goal is for Indonesian cinema to advance to class.

Usmar Ismail was often enthusiastic about the world of film. Every day the time is often filled with film viewing activities. In fact, that enthusiasm has come since little Usmar. He often places himself from the front row in theaters. To be able to enjoy the film to the fullest," he thought.

Usmar also tried to place himself as a human with a high curiosity. He not only acts as a film connoisseur. He acts further. He also tried to observe all kinds of film behavior. These include music, stories, image quality, and camera placement.

His love for the world of film has led Usmar to explore the entertainment industry. He is noted to be active as part of a theater group at his school, Algemeene Middelbare School (AMS-A II), Yogyakarta. Hoegeng Imam Santoso's younger brother (plovered to become the National Police Chief) tries to hone his skills in acting.

Since then Usmar's path to a career in the world of cinema has been wide open. Usmar knew about the film industry. He even worked with the Dutch production company, South Film Festival. However, he was reluctant to consider the two films involving Usmar as his pure work.

He also firmly considers death and Prayer (1950) as the first film. The film then became the initial milestone for Indonesian cinema.

Usmar Ismail gathered on himself various talents and abilities so that he could become a director, screenwriter, and producer: From the details of the type of film story, it seems that he is good at working on interesting themes for the audience. After the drama, he made a comedy, from the action he moved to the musical, according to the people's temporary taste. He never put himself high above the audience," said Usmar Ismail's best friend, Rosihan Anwar in the book Petite Histoire Indonesia Volume 2(2009).

After that, Usmar Ismail and the Indonesian National Film Company (Perfini) continued to decorate the glass screen of all Indonesian people. Usmar Ismail continued working until he died to pick him up on January 2, 1971. His passing also brought deep sorrow to all Indonesian people.

Ali Sadikin, moreover. The governor of DKI Jakarta, who served from 1966-1977, has no power over Jakarta, has lost a legendary figure in the world of film. He also immediately launched the construction of a film center in Jakarta. PPHUI, his name. The building is located on Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan area, South Jakarta.

The inauguration was attended by Ali Sadikin himself on October 20, 1975. The man who is familiarly called Bang Ali hopes that PPHUI can become a forum for the emergence of ideas, opinions, and quality films.

On October 20, 1975, I inaugurated the H. Usmar Ismail Film Center, in Kuningan, South Jakarta. At that time, his name was not yet complete. It was only at the beginning of the next year that the name of the film center was complete as I mentioned, when the film person recalled the death of the highly appreciated Indonesian film figure. Opening the film center with one exhibition at that place was the result of various of my efforts in helping the film world.

"I remember meeting H. Usmar Islamil and his friends such as Turino Djunaedi, Asrul Sani, Pak Djajakusuma, Sumardjono, and others, when discussing their ideals, discussing Indonesian films with very heavy creep. Even though our common goal is to make Indonesian films host in their own country, "said Ali Sadikin as written by Ramadhan KH in the book Bang Ali: Demi Jakarta 1966-1977 (1992).