Ready to Laugh, Revealed Here is the Reason Why 'SRIMULAT: HIL YANG MUSTAHAL' is Split into Two Films

Kapanlagi.com - After preparing for about three years, the film SRIMULAT: HIL YANG MUSTAHAL will finally be released in cinemas throughout Indonesia. Fajar Nugros, the screenwriter and director, admitted to having difficulties during the initial production process.

Fajar Nugros grew up watching Srimulat on television in the 90s. However, it turns out that this comedy group has been around since August 1951, when it was first founded in Surakarta by Teguh Slamet Rahardjo.

"The biggest obstacle was actually because we never really knew Srimulat. I only knew Srimulat from the 90s television era. But Srimulat has been around since the 50s with hundreds of comedians, artists, and so on. When working on this film, we had to choose which points to convey and which characters to bring to life," said Fajar, who was met at Epicentrum XXI, Rasuna Said area, South Jakarta, on Thursday (12/5).

1. Lack of Documentation Material

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After discussing, it was finally decided to set the time in the 1980s with a focus on Gepeng's story. Specifically, when Srimulat was offered to perform on TVRI.

However, it turned out that the source material was very limited. Fortunately, Fajar Nugros was assisted by members of Srimulat who are still active in the entertainment industry such as Tessy, Tarzan, and Nunung.

"In our country, the awareness of documentation is lacking, only in recent eras has documentation improved. Although the source is difficult, but there are living witnesses. So we can ask them how they feel, what their aspirations are. At least this film can bring them to life very closely," said Fajar.

2. Reasons for Being Divided into Two Films

After going through a series of script writing, the shooting process finally started back to back with a series of famous actors. The film was then divided into two parts, namely SRIMULAT: HIL YANG MUSTAHAL - FIRST ROUND and SRIMULAT: HIL YANG MUSTAHAL - SECOND ROUND. What is the reason?

"Srimulat is a legend, an asset that we have in Indonesia. With so much history they have made, we cannot take it all, but there is a lot that needs to be told. For that reason, we agreed to make two films at once to entertain more maximally," said Susanti Dewi, the producer, on the same occasion.

3. Telegram Appears on Television

Starring Bio One, Dimas Anggara, and Zulfa Maharani, SRIMULAT: HIL YANG MUSTAHAL - BABAK PERTAMA will be released in theaters starting May 19. The film tells the story of the Srimulat comedy group who receive a telegram inviting them to appear on television.

The conflict begins when Teguh, the leader of Srimulat, invites Gepeng, who was originally a drummer, to join the group. The process of Gepeng adapting to become a part of the Srimulat family is what is presented in the 110-minute film.

(kpl/abs/sry)