Lenggang Djakarta Explained

Director:M. Arief
Producer:Fred Young
Starring:Bambang Hermanto
Mimi Mariani
Ismah BS
Studio:Bintang Surabaja
Country:Indonesia
Language:Indonesian

Lenggang Djakarta (literally, "Jakarta Sway") is a 1953 Indonesian drama film directed by M. Arief and starred Bambang Hermanto, Mimi Mariani, and Ismah BS.

Plot

Mulyono leaves his village for Jakarta to improve his fate and fortune. He leaves behind his wife, Herawati, and his son, Djaja. However, his attempts to find a job fail, and he is robbed while eating gado-gado at Mr. Amat's stall.

Mr. and Mrs. Amat later give him shelter, and he is introduced to several people, such as Ribut, who owns a kue pancong stall, Siman, a taxi driver, and Iming, a rickshaw driver.

One day, Mulyono manages to secure a job at a gas station and later meets a city girl named Nani, who is filling up her tank. Nani is attracted to Mulyono, and with her help, Mulyono is able to get a job at her father's office. They develop a close relationship and eventually get married.

Meanwhile, Herawati and Djaja live a miserable life and are evicted from their house due to their inability to pay the rent. Herawati then drives a truck and walks barefoot with her son to Jakarta, where they live at Mr. Amat's house. She searches for Mulyono every day, but no one knows where he lives.

With Iming's help, Herawati secures a job as a nurse for Babu Minah, who is ill. Unexpectedly, Herawati sees Mulyono but leaves Jakarta upon learning that he has found success and remarried. Before leaving, she leaves a message for Mrs. Amat, informing her that she will no longer interfere with Mulyono's life. However, Mulyono later realizes his mistake and returns to his wife and children.

Production

Lenggang Djakarta was produced by Fred Young for Bintang Surabaja.[1] The black-and-white film was shot and directed by M. Arief. This film starred Bambang Hermanto, Mimi Mariani, and Ismah BS in a leading role. It also featured S. Poniman, Ribut Rawit, Srimulat, Kuntjung, and Moh. Jusuf. It use Aksi Kucing by Oey Yok Siang as the soundtrack.[2]

Release and reception

Lenggang Djakarta was released on 29 July 1953.[3] It received a positive responses from journalist and film critics, Hermanto acting was praised and he was dubbed as "The New Leading Man".[4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kristanto, J. B. . Katalog film Indonesia, 1926-2005 . 2005 . Nalar bekerjasama dengan Fakultas Film dan Televisi, Institut Kesenian Jakarta, [dan] Sinematek Indonesia . 978-979-99395-3-1 . 28 . id.
  2. Web site: 2023-04-12 . Meong... Meong... Segala Zaman . 2023-06-01 . premium.historia.id.
  3. Book: Biran, Misbach Yusa . Peran Pemuda dalam kebangkitan Film Indonesia . 2009 . Kementerian Negara Pemuda dan Olahraga . Indonesian.
  4. News: Tris . 1953-08-20 . Bercakap-cakap dengan Bintang: Bambang Hermanto . Id . Aneka . 2023-06-01.