Surat Kecil untuk Tuhan (phrasal translation: A Diary of Letters to God) is a 2011 Indonesian biographical drama film directed by Harris Nizam. The film stars Dinda Hauw and Alex Komang, it follows a young girl's struggle with cancer. It was the best-selling Indonesian film of 2011.
| Surat Kecil untuk Tuhan | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Harris Nizam |
| Written by | Beby Hasibuan |
| Produced by | Sarjono Sutrisno |
| Starring | Dinda Hauw Alex Komang |
| Music by | Thoersi Argeswara |
| Distributed by | Skylar Pictures |
Release date |
|
| Country | Indonesia |
| Language | Indonesia |
Plot edit
Keke (Dinda Hauw) is a young girl with a loving father (Alex Komang) and mother, as well as loyal friends. She is diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma (a cancer of connective tissues), which is unusual at her age. After undergoing twenty-five sessions of chemotherapy, the once healthy and beautiful Keke finds herself sickly and bald, with a disfigured face. Although the treatment initially works, the cancer returns a year later.
Doctors estimate that Keke has three months to live. To help her deal with her pain, she begins keeping a diary; through her writing she finds the strength to hold on for a year. As she begins to accept her fate, she writes a letter to God in her diary, asking that her family be kept safe.
Cast edit
- Dinda Hauw as Keke
- Alex Komang as the Father
Production edit
Surat was based on the true story of Gita Sesa Wanda Cantika, a 15-year-old student who was diagnosed with and on 25 December 2006 died of the first reported case of Rhabdomyosarcoma in Indonesia. The story had been reported in 2009 by a pair of bloggers known as Agnes and Davonar. These blog posts were widely read and later novelised under the name Surat Kecil untuk Tuhan;[1] the novelisation sold 350,000 copies.[2][3]
Surat was the feature film debut of Dinda Hauw.[1] Most of the cast and crew were relatively unknown; Alex Komang was the main exception.[2] The film was produced by Sarjono Sutrisno, of Skylar Pictures.[3]
Release and reception edit
Surat was released on 7 July 2011 after a press screening on two days earlier.[3] It was the most-viewed Indonesian film of the year, seen by more than 750,000 people.[a][5] This was down from previous years.[5]
Indah Setiawati, writing for The Jakarta Post, described Surat as a "heartwarming movie about spirit, family and friendship" that would make audiences cry, despite some technical deficiencies.[1]
Awards edit
Surat was nominated for three Citra Awards at the 2011 Indonesian Film Festival. It did not win any.[6] At the 2012 Indonesian Movie Awards, the film won Best Newcomer for Dinda Hauw.[7]
| Award | Year | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesian Film Festival | 2011 | Best Leading Actor | Alex Komang | Nominated |
| Best Leading Actress | Dinda Hauw | Nominated | ||
| Best Musical Direction | Thoersi Argeswara | Nominated | ||
| Indonesian Movie Awards | 2012 | Best Newcomer | Dinda Hauw | Won |
Notes edit
- ^ In the 2000s religious-themed films generally performed well; the Islamic-themed films Ayat-Ayat Cinta (The Verses of Love; 2007) and Ketika Cinta Bertasbih (When Love Prays; 2009) were seen by more than 3 million viewers.[4]
References edit
Bibliography edit
- Kurniasari, Triwik (25 March 2012). "Hoping for a pleasant surprise". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- "Penghargaan Surat Kecil untuk Tuhan" [Awards for Surat Kecil untuk Tuhan]. filmindonesia.or.id (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Konfiden Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Setiawati, Indah (3 July 2011). "You've God mailed". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- "Religious Films Pull in Big Bucks in Indonesia". Jakarta Globe. 19 July 2011. Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Tresnawati (31 May 2012). "Lovely Man Berkibar di Indonesia Movie Awards 2012" [Lovely Man Shines at the Indonesia Movie Awards 2012]. Suara Merdeka. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- Yazid, Nauval (26 December 2011). "2011: The Year Indonesia Forgot Movies". Jakarta Globe. Archived from the original on 15 January 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- Yudono, Jodhi (8 July 2011). "'Surat Kecil', Perjuangan Melawan Kanker" ['Surat Kecil', Struggle against Cancer]. Kompas (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
