Laskar Pelangi The Movie

 

Laskar Pelangi is a story about struggling of teacher and 10 students for education in Belitong. This film production idea begin from how Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza were admiring Andrea Hirata masterpiece which was published on 2004 for the first time.

As Laskar Pelangi producer, Riri Riza said : “Laskar Pelangi has unique story, fully dynamic life with appeareance of 10 strong character students and an ambitius teacher which has big and noble wishes. And Andrea Hirata is very important factor why we would make film based on this book. First time meet with Andrea, there is enthusiasm shown at himself. Meet him like watching bright shining sunny, very inspiring”.

For the author, Andrea Hirata, it’s not easy to permit his first masterpiece to be filmed. Off course Andrea has special reason why he entrust this film making to Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza. “ There are some reasons why I gave Laskar Pelangi story to Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza. First, Mira and Riri are cineasts which have integrity, during their work not just fullfill market pretension. Second, they have rare talent on artworks. They could make box office movie, but still top grade one. After interact with them for long time, I feel more sure if these two cineasts have sixth sense on making some work and have unique perspective,” Andrea said.

While due to Putut Widjanarko explanation, Mizan Publika Operation Vice President, Mizan involving into film production denotes logic consequences from Mizan development strategy into future. “ Mizan was proud by co-operating with Miles Films presenting film which is fully waited by public. Beside Laskar Pelangi book is published by one of Mizan publishing group, Bentang Buana.

After meetings and discussing with the author for a year, Salman Arisanto helped by Riri Riza and Mira Lesmana,begin script writing process. Actually production was prepared since July 2007, by script writing process, location surveying, and actors casting. “Within this production almost 100% shoots taken in Belitong. One thing makes this film special is, 12 actors, 10 member of Laskar Pelangi and 2 additional actors which play as Flo and A Ling, thay are native Belitong people” told Mira enthusiastic.
What Riri and Mira want is performing native Belitong children to build naturally chemistry between story and actors. “From the beginning we did not think about using outside actor for playing as Laskar Pelangi children figure. So, actor hunting and casting process already we did from the beginning of production,” Riri said.” Even these children have no experiences with acting world, but they are very talented childre, have courage, no shy to try, and the most important, they coould presented main figure at this film”, Mira continued.

After hunting and casting process in Belitong, finally 12 Belitong choosen to play as Ikal, Lintang, Mahar, Syahdan, Borek, Kucai, A Kiong, Sahara, Trapani, Harun, Flo and A Ling.
In spite of that, Mira doesn’t forget to perfom professional actor. 12 big name actors presence into this film, such as Cut Mini, Ikranegara, Lukman Sardi, Ario Baru, Tora Sudiro, Slamet Raharjo, Alex Komang, Mathias Muchus, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, Robbie Tumewu, Jajang C. Noer and Teuku Rifnu Wikana.
This film has General Audiences rating, means all ages admitted to watch this film. Planned to be showing in Indonesia on this year Idul Fitri vacation, probably around 29 September 2008. I can’t hardly wait this film..