The Dancer (2011)

Sang Penari (The Dancer) is a 2011 Indonesian film based on the trilogy of novels Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk by Ahmad Tohari and directed by Ifa Isfansyah. Starring Nyoman Oka Antara and Prisia Nasution, it tells the story of a young man and his friendship with his small village's new ronggeng.

The second adaptation of the Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk trilogy, Sang Penari required two years of research to better present the historical context, including the 30 September Movement and ensuing anti-communist actions; these details, censored in the original trilogy by the New Order government, were more explicit than in the novels. Although the film was set and shot in Purwokerto, Central Java, neither of the leads was ethnic Javanese. Nasution, cast in her debut role, is Batak, while Antara is Balinese.

Upon its release on 10 November 2011, Sang Penari was critically praised. Tohari called it a "sublime adaptation of his work", while Labodalih Sembiring of the Jakarta Globe described its socio-cultural elements as worthy of a Shakespearean tragedy. At the 2011 Indonesian Film Festival, Sang Penari won four awards, including Best Picture, out of nine nominations.



^ Kurniasari 2011, Ronggeng 2.0.

Synopsis

In 1953, two tempeh bongkrèk makers in Dukuh Paruk, a small hamlet in Banyumas, Central Java, accidentally sell poisoned tempeh, which kills many residents, including the much respected ronggeng (local traditional dancer). The residents of the hamlet begin panicking and rioting, causing the tempeh makers to commit suicide. Their daughter, Srintil, survives and is raised by her grandfather Sakarya (Landung Simatupang).

Actors