On The Record: Indonesian Literary Figures

Indonesia’s writers have been instrumental in the creation of national identity, the encouragement of debate about the direction of Indonesia’s future, and the interpretation of Indonesia’s past. The history of modern Indonesian literature, especially in the twentieth century, is marked by incredible variety and vitality, despite lengthy periods of political repression. From the colonial past to the present, Indonesian writers have also shown incredible versatility and maintained a consistent ability to cross genres.

"On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures" features filmed interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. Each film in the series focuses on a specific individual writer and offers viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. All films (stock footage and final/edited versions) are in Indonesian. Each final/edited film in the series has a runtime of approximately 24-30 minutes and is in Indonesian with English subtitles. A film log (in Indonesian) is also available as a text document. This film series is part of the Lontar Digital Library, which provides preservation and access to materials produced and gathered by the Lontar Foundation over its 25+ year history including:

Books and journals: publications by Lontar, Amanah and Godown (imprints of the Lontar Foundation), as well as information about Lontar’s library holdings (a collections of over 3,000 books, periodicals and other research materials related to Indonesian history, literature, drama, language, poetry and other topics;
Video: films from On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures, Indonesian Performance Traditions, and Wayang Kulit/Shadow Puppet Theater Series (including stock footage and final versions).
Audio interviews with Indonesian writers and eyewitness accounts of significant events in Indonesian history;
Images: archival photographs of traditional manuscripts, colonial-era postcards, and historical images from the New Order to the present.

The Lontar Digital Library uses linked data and the Semantic Web to share information about our collections with the online community on the Internet. You can find information about Lontar materials and authors in Freebase, OpenLibrary and Wikipedia.

: Biography of Situmorang, Sitor, 1923-; Final edited version of Rindu Kelana/The Need to Wander the biography of Sitor Situmorang directed by Ed Pesta Sirait. Sitor Situmorang is one of Indonesia’s most important and productive lyric poets, with a body of work filled with longing and restlessness that spans almost five decades. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Sitor Situmorang filmed in Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Toer, Pramoedya Ananta, 1925-2006; Final edited version of Mendengar si Bisu Bernyanyi/Hear the Mute’s Song the biography of Pramoedya Ananta Toer directed by Srikaton. Pramoedya Ananta Toer (b. 1925) has frequently been hailed as Indonesia’s greatest writer. Though imprisoned three times as a political prisoner, none of his jailors have stilled his voice. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Pramoedya Ananta Toer filmed at Utan Kayu in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Navis, A. A.; Final edited version of Satiris dan Suara Kritis dari Daerah/A.A. Navis: A Satirist and Critic Speaks, directed by Enison Sinaro. Ali Akbar Navis (1924-2003), who first began to write in the early 1950s, is famed for his unflinching social criticism and piercing sense of satire. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Ali Akbar Navis filmed in Sumatera Barat, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Suman Hs., 1904-; Final edited version of Soeman, the biography of Soeman Hasibuan directed by Arswendy. Soeman (b. 1904) (1904-1999) is best known as the first writer of detective stories in modern Indonesian literature. He also pioneered a new genre of humorous short-story writing. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Soeman Hasibuan filmed at the author's home in Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Ramadhan K. H. (Ramadhan Karta Hadimadja), 1927-2006; Final edited version of Dari Mata Ramadhan K.H./In the Eyes of Ramadhan K.H. directed by Moh. Rivai Riza. Ramadhan Kartahadimadja (b. 1927) began his writing career in high school. A poet, journalist, and translator of Lorca, Ramadhan is best known for his work as a biographer. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Ramadhan Kh. filmed in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Rendra, W. S.; Final edited version of Si Burung Merak/The Peacock, directed by Maruli Ara. Rendra (b. 1935) is a multi-talented writer and poet. A gifted reader and actor, Rendra is well known for his political activism and commitment to freedom of expression. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Rendra filmed in Depok, Jawa Barat, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Damono, Sapardi Djoko, 1940-; Final edited version of Aku Ingin/I Want, directed by Tonny Trimarsanto. Sapardi Djoko Damono (b.1940) is a poet, a lecturer and a translator, who has written a medley of poems, essays, and has translated a lot of foreign literature into Bahasa Indonesia. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Sapardi filmed in Surakarta, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Wispi, Agam; Final edited version of Pulang/Coming Home, directed by Moh. Rivai Riza and John McGlynn. The poet Agam Wispi (1930-2003) has lived in exile since the abortive Communist coup. In 1996, this former LEKRA writer returned to Indonesia for the first time since 1965. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Agam Wispi filmed at the author's home in Amsterdam, Netherlands and Komunitas Utan Kayu in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Kayam, Umar, 1932-2002; Final edited version of Refleksi Kehidupan/Life’s Reflection, directed by Eddy Pras. An academic, novelist, and poet, Umar Kayam (1932-2002) began writing in the 1960s while studying in New York. His novellas are considered among the best prose of the 1970s. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Umar Kayam filmed at author's home in Jakarta, Indonesia and in Yogyakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Ismail, Taufiq, 1935-; Final edited version of Tirani dan Puisi/Tyranny and Poetry, directed by Panji Wibowo. Taufiq Ismail (b. 1935), a key member of the “Generation of ‘66,” edits the literary magazine Horison and enjoys a well-deserved reputation for his public reading skills. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Taufiq Ismail filmed in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Darmanto Yt., 1942-; Final edited version of Penyair Dalam Lintasan Budaya/A Poet at Culture’s Edge, Directed by Tinuk Yampolsky. Darmanto Jatman (b. 1942) is a poet examining divergent influences on his identity, his Javanese-Christian upbringing, training as a psychologist, and his time studying abroad. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Darmanto Jatman filmed at author's home and the University of Diponegoro, in Semarang, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Heraty, Toeti, 1933-; Final edited version of Sosok Penyair/Portrait of a Poet, directed by Jajang C. Noer and Tinuk Yampolsky. Trained in medicine and psychology, the poetess Toeti Heraty (b. 1933), questions traditional precepts, particularly the patriarchal nature of social roles prescribed for women. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Toeti Heraty filmed at author's home in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Mohamad, Gunawan, 1941-; Final edited version of Potret Penyair Si Malin Kundang/Portrait of the Poet as Si Malin Kundang, directed by Arswendy. Goenawan Mohamad (b. 1941) emerged as a poet and activist in the early 1960s. A poet, journalist, and essayist, he gained national fame for his work with the news magazine Tempo. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Goenawan Mohamad filmed at author's home in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Sukanta, Putu Oka, 1939-; Final edited version of Merajut Harkat/Weaving Dignity, directed by Agni Ariatma and Tinuk Yampolsky. Poet and novelist Putu Oka Sukanta (b. 1939) was imprisoned without trial for 10 years following the events of 1965. He now works with alternative healing therapies and HIV/AIDS. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Putu Oka Sukanta filmed at author's home in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.

: Biography of Danarto, 1940-; Final edited version of Sastra Sufisme Danarto/Moving Closer to God: Danarto’s Sufic Literature, directed by Andy Nugraha. The writer and painter Danarto (b. 1940) became known in the 1970s. His work as a writer is deeply influenced by his training as a visual artist and his study of Sufi mysticism. This film is the final edited version of the biography of Danarto filmed at author's home in Jakarta, Indonesia as part of the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series which features interviews with prominent Indonesian authors, poets and playwrights. This film is in Indonesian with English subtitles and transcripts in English and Indonesian are also available. About the On the Record: Indonesian Literary Figures series: in an effort to promote knowledge about Indonesian literature and its creators, Lontar has thus far produced 24 films on Indonesian writers. These films offer viewers a direct look at the people behind the books. We are able to hear, directly from the writers’ mouths, their reminiscences and their thoughts. Each film is approximately 24 - 29 minutes in length, additional raw footage is available through the Lontar Digital Library., This item digitized and made available online with funds provided by United States Department of Education, TICFIA (Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information) Grant P337A090018.