Indonesian
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Extract one
Extract 1 Opening Credits: Di Rumah Matahari
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Children laughing and singing hom-pim-pah | Acceptance and belonging |
| Children’s choir sings for prospective parents | Concept of faith |
| The incident with the rat/hamster | Acceptance and belonging The role of the family |
| Bu Tia chastises the children for the rat/hamster incident | Maintaining traditional values Pressures and expectations |
Analysis
The movie opens with a still shot of a tambourine. The sound of children laughing and singing can be heard as they play the game hom-pim-pah.
As the music starts there is a still shot of a sign for Rumah Matahari, an orphanage in rural West Java. The children are presenting a cheerful song, accompanied by the angklung, to prospective parents who are happily watching. The director cuts between the children’s choir and shots of the tambourine on which images now appear that relate to a legend featured later in the film. We are introduced to Rena who has a solo piece in the song.
After being prompted by Rena, Hamdani places a hamster on the floor which causes chaos when it is mistaken for a rat. Despite Bu Tia trying to take control of the comical situation, the song is abandoned and the prospective parents leave.
We are then introduced to the main group of children, Hamdani, Kenni, Sri, Topan, Nana and Rena, as Bu Tia calls them together to chastise them for this and previous incidents. Rena being the oldest and the leader of the gang, takes responsibility. Rena is punished by being denied her usual trip to the market place with the others.
Question
Comment briefly on the lyrics of the song the children sing to prospective parents.
Extract 1 Scene 1: Di kantor Yudha
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Still shots of rain falling, traffic and a train | Urban and rural divide |
| Yudha arrives late to the work site | Career and ambition Technology |
| Yudha works late at the office | Career and ambition Pressures and expectations |
| Ichiki San, the boss, checks Yudha’s work progress, invites him out for a beer | Career and ambition Pressures and expectations |
| Yudha declines, continues to work | Isolation and loneliness Concept of faith Pressures and expectations |
Analysis
The scene opens with still shots of rain falling, city traffic and a train. Sombre music plays as we are introduced to the character Yudha. He is an engineer in a Japanese company that is building a monorail in Jakarta. We see him on site and working in his office late at night. We are also introduced to Ichiki San, Yudha’s Japanese boss who checks on his progress and then invites him out for a drink. Yudha declines the invitation saying he has too much work to finish.
Question
Describe the relationship between Yudha and Ichiki San in this scene.
Extract 1 Scene 2: Di Rumah Matahari dan di rumah Yudha.
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Children around the dining table at Rumah Matahari, Rena and Bi Asih serve the food | The role of the family Acceptance and belonging |
| Bu Tia reconsiders her decision, allows Rena to visit the market | The role of the family |
| Rena gathers the children in the school yard, they walk home together | The role of the family Maintaining traditional values |
| At Yudha’s house, his servant informs him he is out of coffee | Isolation and loneliness |
| Children play happily, wait to leave for the market with Bu Tia | Role of the family Acceptance and belonging |
| Children catch a mikrolet to the market | |
| Yudha, shopping alone in a supermarket, juxtaposed with the children running errands in the market | Urban and rural divide Isolation and loneliness Acceptance and belonging |
| Pak Sutan appears for the first time, makes his way toward the market |
Analysis
The scene starts at meal time at the Rumah Matahari, where Rena is helping to serve the food to the other children. Bu Tia calls Rena over to tell her that she has decided to allow her to go to the market tomorrow after all. The scene cuts to the children in the school yard. Rena calls Hamdani and after no response uses the whistle to attract his attention. The children then walk home together through the sawah.
The scene then changes to Yudha alone at home. A servant reminds him that they are out of coffee. There is a headline in the newspaper about families separated by the tsunami (Boxing Day 2005).
The scene returns to the children, playing at Rumah Matahari while waiting to leave for the market with Bu Tia. They catch a mikrolet to the market.
The following shots juxtapose the children happily running errands together at the market with Yudha shopping alone in a modern supermarket. He smiles wistfully on seeing a young child in a trolley and later as another child is learning to ride a bike.
Question
Discuss the costumes in the school yard scene.
Extract 1 Scene 3: Di pasar dengan Pak Sutan
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Rena leads the children through the market to visit Pak Sutan, past the tukang asah pisau | Role of the family Maintaining traditional values |
| Pak Sutan tells them the legend of the fish Nkut Agam | Maintaining traditional values Isolation and loneliness Concept of faith Overcoming adversity Acceptance and belonging |
Analysis
After running their errands, Rena takes the children to visit Pak Sutan. As they descend the stairs, they pass the menacing dua orang tukang asah pisau. Pak Sutan greets them joyfully and they ask him for a story. He beats his tambourine and tells the legend of the fish Nkut Agam who dreams of having a lover despite his unattractive appearance. One day he is dragged by a huge wave into the dark abyss of the deep ocean. In his fear and loneliness, he begins to sing. Another voice answers. In the darkness, he finds light in the form of his new love, Nkut Inong. The two lovers sing and play happily together while looking for the light of the sun and the way home.
The legend is illustrated by pictures that appear on Pak Sutan’s tambourine.
Question
Compare and contrast Pak Sutan’s legend with another legend you know that has the same theme.
Extract 1 Scene 4: Di Rumah Matahari
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Children watch the news broadcast | Impact of socio-political events Overcoming adversity |
| Bu Tia receives a phone call from prospective parents about Nana, Nana is adopted | The role of the family Acceptance and belonging |
| Rena is upset at losing Nana and sits alone on the water tower | Isolation and loneliness |
Analysis
The scene starts with the children watching a news broadcast from Aceh about a father and two sons who have survived the tsunami and have been evacuated but are now unable to find educational facilities. The children fight over the remote control for the television.
At the same time Bu Tia receives a phone call from prospective parents inquiring about Nana. The next scenes show Nana being taken home by her new parents. A sentimental song plays about parental love. Rena, however, is upset and retreats to the water tower.
Question
Find information on the internet about the Boxing Day Tsunami 2005 and its aftermath. Report your findings to the class in Indonesian.
Extract 1 Scene 5: Kehidupan Yudha
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Yudha leaves work, his car doesn’t start, his boss offers him a lift home | Pressures and expectations |
| Ichiki San invites him out, Yudha is distracted | Pressures and expectations |
| At Yudha’s house, Ichiki San speaks to him about the need to solve his problems, whatever they might be | Pressure and expectations Career and ambition |
| Ichiki San takes a phone call from his daughter | The role of the family |
| Yudha’s wife and daughter appear to him in a dream | The role of the family Isolation and loneliness |
| Yudha looks over items of memorabilia | The role of the family Isolation and loneliness |
Analysis
In this scene we again meet Yudha as he is leaving work looking tired and stressed, carrying plans to work on at home. His car won’t start. Ichiki San approaches and offers him a lift home. He chats with him about going out to sing karaoke together and invites him on Friday night, only to realise that Yudha is staring out the window distractedly.
At Yudha’s house, Ichiki San looks around curiously and comments on how big the house is, and we learn that it was an inheritance from Yudha’s parents. While drinking coffee, Ichiki San, hesitantly and with some discomfort, alludes to the fact that he realises there is a problem in Yudha’s life and advises him to sort it out so that their work is not affected.
The conversation is interrupted by a phone call from Ichiki San’s daughter. He becomes really animated as he chats to her. Yudha smiles wistfully at the obvious bond between them. The scene changes to a dream sequence showing Yudha’s deceased wife beckoning him. In the background we hear the voice of their daughter, calling Yudha to play with them.
We then see Yudha tossing fitfully in bed. He gets up and looks through some old boxes containing memorabilia from his past.
Question
Choose an Indonesian song and perform it as karaoke for your class.
Extract 1 Scene 6: Di Rumah Matahari
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Bu Tia answers the phone to Yudha who asks if he can come and stay at Rumah Matahari | Isolation and loneliness Acceptance and belonging |
| Shots of Yudha at home and work | Isolation and loneliness Career and ambition Urban and rural divide The role of the family |
| Shots of the children at Rumah Matahari, the water problem, Rena reads a story to Hamdani, the children do homework and play together | Urban and rural divide Acceptance and belonging |
| Pak Sutan picks up newspapers from the post office | The role of the family |
| The first day of fasting begins, Bi Asih wakes the children, they eat together before prayers as Yudha eats alone | Concept of faith Acceptance and belonging Isolation and loneliness |
Analysis
The scene starts with Rena in the background cleaning, as Bu Tia answers the phone. A male voice asks for Ibu Rosi. She explains that Ibu Rosi died three years ago and that she is her youngest daughter. The male voice introduces himself as Yudha. She shuts the door for privacy as Rena curiously looks on. Bu Tia is visibly upset when Yudha asks if he can visit and stay over night, saying that it is not possible, particularly as it is the first day of Ramadhan.
Through comparative montage, Yudha’s home and work environment is contrasted with that of the children. The theme of religion and faith is introduced as we see them separately begin the bulan puasa rituals. Yudha’s aloneness is also highlighted in contrast to the life of the children playing, praying and working together and even to the family life of his boss.
Within the juxtaposed shots, we also see Rena reading a story about a hero to Hamdani and Pak Sutan picking up a newspaper from the post office.
Question
List the various religious rituals depicted in this scene.
Extract 1 Scene 7: Yudha datang di Rumah Matahari
| Content | Issues |
|---|---|
| Yudha arrives at Rumah Matahari and is greeted awkwardly by Bu Tia, he apologises for not knowing that Ibu Rosi has passed away | The role of the family Maintaining traditional values |
| Yudha is introduced to Rena and the children | Maintaining traditional values |
| Yudha watches the children playing soccer and smiles | Acceptance and belonging |
| Yudha chats with Rena and the gang, asks if Hamdani wants to go out, Rena curtly refuses on Hamdani’s behalf | The role of the family |
| Bi Asih introduces herself and advises Yudha to wash in the river because of the water problem | Urban and rural divide |
| The following morning Yudha photographs the plumbing system, bids farewell to Rena and her gang, says he will return next week | Technology |
Analysis
The scene begins with Yudha pulling into the driveway of Rumah Matahari, as the children gather to meet him. Bu Tia, however, appears awkward and uncomfortable to see him. Inside, Yudha apologises for not knowing about Ibu Rosi’s death. As they leave the office, Bu Tia introduces him to Rena and the other children who are outside the door. Hamdani is reluctant to shake Yudha’s hand as it has hamster pee on it. Bu Tia explains to the children that Om Yudha will be staying the night and instructs them not to be naughty, especially as it is Ramadhan month. After settling in to his quarters, Yudha goes outside and discovers the tap does not work.
Yudha watches the children playing soccer. This is the first time we see him smile. He then approaches Rena’s group and asks Hamdani, who is not fasting, if he wants to go for a drive. Rena curtly refuses on Hamdani’s behalf. Bi Asih introduces herself and advises Yudha to wash in the river. It is explained that the pump is broken and they have had problems with water flow for the last year.
As darkness falls on the orphanage, Yudha watches Rena and her adik-adik eat dinner together as he sits alone. They later pass him on their way home from prayers. The following morning, Yudha photographs the plumbing system as the children look on curiously. He bids them farewell and tells them he will be back next week.
Question
Contrast Yudha’s character when watching the soccer game with his character in previous scenes.
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