Belenggu Masjarakat (Perfected Spelling Belenggu Masyarakat, released internationally as Shackled Society) is a 1953 Indonesian drama film directed by D. Suradjio and Lie Gie San, and starring Amran S. Mouna, Mimi Mariani, Lies Permana Lestari, Wahid Chan, and S. Bono.[1] This film marks the screen debuts of Lestari.[1]

Belenggu Masjarakat
Stars Amran S. Mouna and Mimi Mariani in a scene from the film
Directed byD. Suradjio
Lie Gie San
Written bySyamsuddin Syafei
Produced byWahju Hidajat
StarringAmran S. Mouna
Wahid Chan
Mimi Mariani
Lies Permana Lestari
CinematographyLie Gie San
Music byDick Ninkeula
Production
companies
Release date
March 31, 1953 (1953-03-31TIndonesia)
CountryIndonesia
LanguageIndonesian

Plot edit

 
Roostinah (Mariani) and Suparto (Mouna)

Suparto is a middle-ranked officer who is moved to Jakarta. He meets Harjiman, the licensing importer, who introduced him to Roostinah whose task is to seduce Suparto for help in securing the import licenses. Suparto's wife, Sulastri, comes to Jakarta when she hears about her husband's unfaithfulness. Then Suparto realizes that Roostinah is sent to seduce him, but when he returns to Sulastri, she rejects him. His crime is discovered and Suparto is sent to prison. When he completes his sentence, Suparto joins the migration to Sumatra. Then Sulastri accepts him again.[1]

Cast edit

Production edit

The black-and-white film was shot, and directed by D. Suradjio and Lie Gie San, and was written by Syamsuddin Syafei.[1] It was Suradjio's first and last film as director.[2] It starred Amran S. Mouna, Wahid Chan, Mimi Mariani, and Lies Permana Lestari.[1]

Belenggu Masjarakat is the only film that produced by Raksi Seni Film Coy, a film company which was established by Suradjio.[2]

Release and reception edit

Belenggu Masjarakat was released in March 31, 1953, and was screened again at Metropole Theatre in Jakarta from March 31 until April 5, 1954, during the first Indonesian Film Festival.[3] This film won Best Cinematography award at Indonesian Film Festival in 1955.[1] A 35 mm copy of the film is reportedly stored at Sinematek Indonesia in Jakarta.[1]

Film critics praised the film for not having a pleonastical dialogue like most Indonesian films of that time, such as Usmar Ismail's film.[4] However, another review says that Belenggu Masjarakat was failed to show in-depth narrative and psychological exploration of the characters after revolutionary war.[4]

This film featured S. Bono and Lestari in supporting roles, who later married and became the parent of actress Rini S. Bono.[1] Lestari also made another two films role such as Rahasia Sukudomas (1954) and Kasih Sajang (1954), before leaving the film industry.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Kristanto, J.B.; Ardan, S.M. (2007). Katalog film Indonesia, 1926-2007. Penerbit Nalar bekerja sama dengan Direktorat Perfilman, Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata [dan] Gabungan Pengusaha Bioskop Seluruh Indonesia. ISBN 978-979-26-9006-4. OCLC 168761014.
  2. ^ a b "Dari Kehidupan Seniman: D. Suradji". Minggu Pagi (in Indonesian). 1963-10-20.
  3. ^ Biran, Misbach Y. (2009). Peran pemuda dalam kebangkitan film Indonesia. Kementerian Negara Pemuda dan Olahraga. OCLC 607257806.
  4. ^ a b Lestari, Umi (2021-03-04). "Lie Gie San Penata Kamera Terbaik FFI 1955 dan Belenggu Masyarakat". Umi Lestari. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  5. ^ Apa siapa orang film Indonesia, 1926-1978. Yayasan Artis Film. 1979. OCLC 569833691.

External links edit