Remembering the Tsunami Tragedy that Killed Seventeen Band Members, Film 'YESTERDAY' Will Be Released

Kapanlagi.com - December 22, 2018, became a historic date for the band Seventeen. Unfortunately, the history that was recorded was the heartbreaking story of Seventeen. Yes, at that time, a Tsunami tragedy occurred in Tanjung Lesung, which killed almost all members of the band, crew, and families of Seventeen.

The tragedy took away M. Awal Purbani (Bani - bassist), Herman Sikumbang (Herman - guitarist), Windu Andi Darmawan (Andi - drummer), as well as Oki Wijaya (road manager), Ujang (crew), and Dylan Sahara (Ifan's wife). To commemorate and reveal the facts of the journey of this Yogyakarta-based band, a semi-documentary film titled YESTERDAY will be released on April 23, 2020.

1. Already Planned Previously

Ifan Seventeen © KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

Actually, the plan to make this documentary film was already on Seventeen's list before the tragedy occurred. Specifically, two weeks before the incident, the management team and the band held a meeting and came up with three points. One of them was to make a documentary film about the band's journey as they entered their 20th year. Unfortunately, the plan had to be halted because of the Tanjung Lesung tragedy.

A month later, on January 22, 2019, miraculously the management team found the camera owned by the late Andi, which recorded the last moments of their togetherness before performing. Even the moment when the tsunami came and swept Seventeen's stage during their second song was captured. Andi's camera was found in a damaged condition, but the memory card could still be accessed for its data.

2. Documentary Film

"After finding Andi's camera, I decided to continue making the Seventeen documentary. Ifan was initially uncomfortable being followed by a camera everywhere because one of the stories there is the incident after the tsunami and Ifan is the only surviving core personnel," said Dendi Reynando, CEO of Makarya Pictures in a press release received by Kapanlagi.com.

Upie Guava was appointed as the director of the film KEMARIN. Together with Wisnu Surya Pratama as the scriptwriter, they used the stock footage owned by Seventeen in the form of mini DVs collected from 2003. The total amount of footage processed is more than 50 hours. In addition, they reproduced the tsunami scene and used CGI.

3. Giving Something Beautiful

Ifan Seventeen © KapanLagi.com/Bayu Herdianto

For Upie, Seventeen is not just anyone. Upie has known Seventeen since the band first came to Jakarta. Through this film, Upie wants to give something beautiful to the members who are no longer with us.

"In every episode of Seventeen's journey, coincidentally I was involved, from the first time they came to Jakarta with the formation before Ifan, sending demos to labels, to the change of vocalist. Being involved in this film is an honor, at least I am involved in giving something to the Seventeen friends who are no longer here," said Upie.

4. Distribution to Foreign Countries

Mahakarya Pict. in collaboration with Mahaka Radio Integra in the movie KEMARIN. Adrian Syarkawi, CEO of Mahaka Radio and Mahaka Media, revealed his reason, "Because Seventeen is one of the big bands in Indonesia that has brought color to the Indonesian music industry. And support for Ifan to continue working," he said.

In addition to Indonesia, this film will also be distributed and screened in neighboring country, Malaysia. The release of the film KEMARIN will also mark Ifan Seventeen's full return to the Indonesian music scene. After previously withdrawing from the stage and taking a break.

(kpl/pur/tdr)