Making the Film 'SARA' Starring Asha Darra, Director Ismail Basbeth Admits Being Inspired by a Transgender Activist Named Shinta Ratri

Kapanlagi.com - The latest work by Ismail Basbeth titled SARA was screened at the annual Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF) 2023. This is the first screening of the drama genre film in Indonesia after participating in international festivals.

Ismail said that the initial idea for SARA underwent changes until it entered the shooting process. It started from a desire to tell the personal restlessness as a child who migrated.

"The birth of this film is based on my personal relationship with my mother. I first got the idea around 2018 before she passed away. The idea came because I have a career in film and after migrating, I felt further away from my roots. I wanted to make a film about people who leave and when they return, they are not the same," said Ismail at Empire XXI, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday (28/11/2023).

1. Inspired by Activist Shinta Ratri

Credit: The Publicist

Feeling selfish to make a film that is just a platform for venting, Ismail Basbeth continues to refine his ideas. Until finally, he is determined to address the issue of transgender women, inspired by the transgender activist and founder of the waria boarding school, Shinta Ratri.

"It would feel strange if I, as a filmmaker, make a film that is just a platform for venting. It feels less wise. Then, Bu Shinta Ratri received an award in 2019. From there, I started to brainstorm. Ideas can keep changing," Ismail said.

2. Recommendation from Christine Hakim

Long before the shooting process began, Ismail Basbeth had set his sights on Christine Hakim to play a role in the film SARA. It was through Christine that Ismail got to know Asha Darra, who later became the main actress.

"Throughout the process, I told Bu Christine about this film and asked her to be a part of it because I'm a fan of hers. Even though she hadn't read the script, she agreed. Then, Asha's name came up as a recommendation from Bu Christine. Everything fell into place, including making the final draft on location," Ismail concluded.

(kpl/abs/glk)