Obama Anak Menteng

Obama Anak Menteng
Obama Anak Menteng

Theatrical poster
Directed by
Produced by Raam Punjabi
Damien Dematra
Written by Damien Dematra
Starring Hasan Al Farouq, Cara Lachelle, Radhit Syam
Music by Tya Subiyakto Satrio
Cinematography German G. Mintapradja
Editing by Andi Pulung Waluyo
Studio Multivision Plus Pictures
Distributed by Multivision Plus Pictures
Release date(s) July 1, 2010 (2010-07-01)
Running time 105 minutes
Country Indonesia
Language
  • Indonesian
  • English
Budget $1 million

Obama Anak Menteng (also known as Little Obama) is a 2010 biopic drama film written and directed by Indonesian author Damien Dematra. The film is based on Dematra's novel by the same name. Both the book and the film are a fictionalized account of the childhood of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, who lived in Indonesia from 1967 to 1971.

Contents

Production

Originally planned for 2011,[1] principle filming began the week of May 10 2010 in the west Java city of Bandung, in Cimahi, West Java, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) southeast of Jakarta.[2][3] The Bandung location was chosen due to its resemblance to the upscale Menteng neighborhood where Obama had grown up in the 1970s.[4][5] The film's script was written in three to four weeks and underwent four revisions before it was finalized.[6] It was shot over a period of 25 days, being "rushed" through production in order to be ready for a screeening on June 17 2010, set to coincide with President Obama's planned state visit to Indonesia.[7][4][2][8][9] Upon cancellation of Obama's visit, the film premier was rescheduled to July 1 2010.[8]

Director Dematra is quoted as stating that the film is "60 percent fact and 40 percent fiction".[7][10] "This is not so much a movie about Barack Obama, but rather about a 10-year-old African-American kid who landed in Indonesia for the first time, and who was going to be confronted with racism, difference and pluralism. And it is this confrontation that may have helped him to become the president of the United States."[11] "It's about his friendships, his hobbies, just a childhood story," said Dematra. "It's not about politics, it's just the story of a boy."[12] "

The 100-minute bilingual film was scheduled for release in 60 main theaters nationwide.[6][2][4] Multivision Plus Pictures, one of Indonesia's largest film companies, is the production company and distributor. They may seek international release depending on demand,[13] and negotiations are underway for a screening in the United States.[8]

Reception

The premiere in Jakarta was attended by Indonesian-known actors, celebrities, political leaders, and U.S. Ambassador Cameron Hume.[14] Viewers made note that the film was less a historical re-enactment, and more simply a story of a young boy growing up in a strange neighborhood and adapting to a new culture.[15] The Jakarta Globe reported that Seto Mulyadi, the chairman of the National Commission for Child Protection, said "This movie could definitely be an inspiration for children in Indonesia about how amazing the power of dreams are."[16]

Commentator Wimar Witoelar wrote that "The film doesn't show the sensitivities of his adjustment as well as Obama's book Dreams From My Father. But for those not familiar with the Obama story, it offers a decent impression of his trials and tribulations and ultimate victory. Many inaccuracies make the movie a rich target for those who concentrate on detail, which could have been avoided had the producers not aimed for a deadline set by President Obama's June visit, which was cancelled at the last minute."[9]

Dan Abramson of Huffington Post compared the film's trailer to The Karate Kid films.[17] The Week wrote that Little Obama "promises to shed new light on the young "Barry" Obama."[18]

Cast

Hasan Faruq Ali, a 14-year-old American, plays the role of young Barry Obama.[19][4] Ali was born in Questa, New Mexico,[4] to musicians Shakur Ali and Naseem Nahid, both members of a Sufi Muslim band.[5] South African-born actress Cara Lachelle portrays Obama's mother Ann Dunham, while Indonesian actor Eko Noah portrays stepfather Lolo Soetoro.[4]

The novel

Book cover

Dematra interviewed 30 people prior to writing the novel,[7] Obama Anak Menteng (literally Obama, the Menteng Kid) ISBN 9789792254945, which he completed in just four days after one month of research.[6][20] The novel was published in March 2010 by Gramedia, and had its official launch at Obama's former school, State Elementary School Menteng 01, on March 15 2010.[21][22] The novel received some criticism for its portrayal of Obama reciting the Qur'an and praying towards Mecca.[13] When interviewed, director Dematra emphasized that while the scenes are true, the story is not about Obama praying, and he had not decided whether the scene would appear in the film adaptation.[6] It subsequently developed that the scene did not make it into the film,[8] having been dropped as being deemed "too political".[7][23][10] The director stated, "That scene wasn't shot because I didn't want people to take it out of context and use it against him".[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ Winarno, Hery (March 17, 2010). "Film 'Obama Anak Menteng' Digarap 2011" (in Indonesian). DetikNews (us.detiknews.com). http://us.detiknews.com/read/2010/03/17/180522/1319838/10/film-obama-anak-menteng-digarap-2011. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c "Indonesia makes film on Obama’s childhood". Manorama (manoramaonline.com). May 19, 2010. http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&channelId=-1073865026&programId=1080132927&contentId=7252735&tabId=19&BV_ID=@@@. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  3. ^ "Indonesian director begins filming movie about Obama's childhood in Jakarta". Fox News (Associated Press). May 17, 2010. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/05/17/indonesian-director-begins-filming-movie-obamas-childhood-jakarta/. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f Smith, Tanalee (May 20, 2010). "Indonesian film portrays Obama's early years". Salon.com (Associated Press). http://www.salon.com/wires/entertainment/2010/05/20/D9FQMC405_as_indonesia_little_obama/index.html. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  5. ^ a b "American Boy Cast to Play 'Little Barry'". Jakarta Globe. 12 May 2010. http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/american-boy-cast-to-play-little-barry/374583. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
  6. ^ a b c d Petersen, Zack (17 May 2010). "My Jakarta: Damien Demantra, Director of Obama Movie". Jakarta Globe. http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/my-jakarta-damien-demantra-director-of-obama-movie/375441. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
  7. ^ a b c d Shay, Christopher (July 1, 2010). "Filmmaker Damien Dematra on Obama's Young Life in Indonesia". Time (time.com). http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2000861,00.html. Retrieved 10 August 2010. 
  8. ^ a b c d Schonhardt, Sara (June 30, 2010). "'Little Obama': Indonesia premieres movie despite Obama's absence". Christian Science Monitor (csmonitor.com). http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2010/0630/Little-Obama-Indonesia-premieres-movie-despite-Obama-s-absence. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  9. ^ a b Witoelar, Wimar. "A new movie recounts President Obama's childhood in Indonesia". Asia Society. asiasociety.org. http://asiasociety.org/arts-culture/film/barack-obama-film. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  10. ^ a b "Indonesia movie on US president set for launch". Daily Nation (nation.co.ke). June 30, 2010. http://www.nation.co.ke/News/world/Indonesia%20movie%20on%20US%20president%20set%20for%20launch%20/-/1068/949782/-/84rsyw/-/index.html. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  11. ^ Lavabre, Louise (August 1, 2010). "The riddle of Damien Dematra". The Jakarta Post (thejakartapost.com). http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/08/01/the-riddle-damien-dematra.html. Retrieved 10 August 2010. 
  12. ^ "'Little Obama' Movie Coming Soon: Indonesian Film Portrays President Obama As Youngster". Huffington Post (huffingtonpost.com). May 20, 2010. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/20/little-obama-movie-coming_n_583759.html. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  13. ^ a b "Indonesian film makers plan Obama movie". BBC News. 12 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8677234.stm. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
  14. ^ "Polémica y flashes en el estreno de una película indonesia sobre la infancia de Obama" (in Spanish). Euronews (es.euronews.net). June 30, 2010. http://es.euronews.net/teletipos/340199-polemica-y-flashes-en-el-estreno-de-una-pelicula-indonesia-sobre-la-infancia-de-obama/. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  15. ^ Kurniasari,, Triwik (July 4, 2010). "Audiences mixed on ‘Obama Anak Menteng’". Jakarta Post (thejakartapost.com). http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/07/04/audiences-mixed-%E2%80%98obama-anak-menteng%E2%80%99.html. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  16. ^ Bilhuda, Rizqon (July 2, 2010). "‘Obama’ Hits Cinemas With A Message of Acceptance". Jakarta Globe (perspektif.net). http://www.perspektif.net/article/article.php?article_id=1311. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  17. ^ Abramson, Dan (August 5, 2010). "'Little Obama': The President Portrayed as 'The Karate Kid'". Huffington Post (huffingtonpost.com). http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/01/little-obama-the-presiden_n_632980.html. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  18. ^ "What is 'Little Obama'?". The Week (theweek.com). May 25, 2010. http://theweek.com/article/index/203327/what-is-little-obama. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  19. ^ a b Green, Toby (July 1, 2010). "Meet 'The Menteng Kid' (aka Obama)". The Independent (independent.co.uk). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/meet-the-menteng-kid-aka-obama-2015163.html. Retrieved 6 August 2010. 
  20. ^ "Pingpong and tolerance: Young American portrays Obama's childhood in Indonesian film". Fox News. Associated Press. May 20 2010. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/05/20/pingpong-tolerance-young-american-portrays-obamas-childhood-indonesian-film/. Retrieved 08 August 2010. 
  21. ^ "Book About Obama Launched at his Former School". Jakarta Globe. 15 March 2010. http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/book-about-obama-launched-at-his-former-school/363946. Retrieved 17 May 2010. 
  22. ^ ""Obama Anak Menteng" Diluncurkan" (in Indonesian). Antara (antaranews.com). March 15, 2010. http://www.antaranews.com/berita/1268645565/obama-anak-menteng-diluncurkan. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 
  23. ^ "Obama movie set for debut". Straits Times (straitstimes.com). June 30, 2010. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_547756.html. Retrieved 5 August 2010. 

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Obama Anak Menteng — Obama Anak Menteng, que l on pourrait traduire par Obama, l enfant de Menteng, est un roman historique de l écrivain indonésien Damien Dematra publié en mars 2010[1]. Il raconte de façon romancée l enfance du 44e président des États Unis, Barack… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Damien Dematra — is a movie director, novelist, script writer, producer, international photographer, and painter. He has written 81 novels in dual languages, English and Indonesian, 62 films and TV scenarios, and produced 32 films in various genres; among them is …   Wikipedia

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