Directing and Writing the Biopic Film Srimulat, Here's Why Fajar Nugros Made Gepeng the Central Character

Kapanlagi.com - Fajar Nugros directed and wrote the screenplay for the biopic film about the legendary comedy group Srimulat. The first film titled SRIMULAT: THE IMPOSSIBLE LAUGH was released on May 19, 2022 and collected 246 thousand viewers. The sequel titled SRIMULAT: LIFE IS COMEDY will be released in cinemas across Indonesia starting from November 16, 2023.

Fajar expressed gratitude for being able to release this two-part film about Srimulat. Writing and producing it together with famous actors and actresses was not an easy task.

"I am very grateful to be able to complete this film, it's a privilege to be able to film the story of Srimulat. From the scriptwriting process, it was complicated because it had to be in accordance with each character. There's Pak Tarzan, Pak Basuki, they cannot be mixed, it has to be in accordance with their history," said Fajar when met at Epicentrum XXI, Rasuna Said area, South Jakarta, on Monday (11/13).

1. Build a Set as Close as Possible

instagram.com/filmsrimulat

Although there are parts that are fictionalized to add dramatic elements, there are also scenes that are recreated from real situations. Namely, the scene when the Srimulat troupe was shooting for the first time on TVRI.

"We built the Srimulat stage at TVRI exactly like it was used before, the costumes were also exact, and at the end when they performed on stage, we completely remade it to be just like the original," said Nugros.

2. Reasons for Making Gepeng the Central Character

SRIMULAT: THE IMPOSSIBLE HIL and SRIMULAT: LIFE IS COMEDY make Gepeng, played by Bio One, the central figure among many characters. This was intentional because after sorting, Gepeng's story was very interesting.

"The film is indeed about Srimulat, but we can't go directly with the group, we have to attract the audience with one character who is most relatable and interesting among them all. After sorting, we used the era when Srimulat first appeared on TV around 1983, and the most interesting character was Gepeng," explained Nugros.

"Gepeng was a violinist with his father in Srimulat, he spoke up when Srimulat performed at sriwedari and Mr. Teguh brought him to Jakarta. This became a story from zero to hero. That's why Gepeng was chosen because his character is interesting, he leads unconsciously, and in the end, we chose to carry his story," Nugros added.

(kpl/abs/sry)