Hati Merdeka (2011) Movie Review, Trailer and Poster

Indonesia 2011
Director: Yadi Sugandi, Conor Allyn
Cast: Lukman Sardi, Donny Alamsyah, Darius Sinathrya, Teuku Rifnu Wikana, Rahayu Saraswati, Ranggani Puspandya, Astri Nurdin, Michael Bell, Aldy Zulfikar, Nugie
Rating:
Language: Bahasa Indonesia EYD, Manado, Javanese, Dutch, English, Japanese
Release Date: 9 June 2011 (Indonesia)
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

The Movie Review

I was officially psyched! I was really expecting this movie, which is the closure of a magnificent trilogy, taking the theme of Indonesian's struggle to total independency! June 1st is the day the Indonesians celebrate and commemorate the day of The Birth of The Pancasila. So when I heard Hati Merdeka would be screened widely on June 9th... "Oh I'm gonna be there!" I said to myself. "I'm gonna be there on the first day at the first show!" But due to the obnoxious traffic of Jakarta, I got the 3rd show on 4pm. And I was kinda disappointed seeing that my fellow Indonesians didn't share the same enthusiasm, you don't have to be fully psyched about this epic movie but at least I really think we should've rolled out the red carpet for Hati Merdeka.


HATI MERDEKA (HEARTS Of FREEDOM)
Storyline:
Cast:
Ending:
Overall:

Hearts of Freedom, or also known as Merah Putih III is an Indonesian epic movie presented with English subtitle as the third and final instalment of a Trilogy created by Indonesian filmmakers and techies from Hollywood. Hati Merdeka is also starring the late talented British actor who died in April 2011, Mike Bell. It's a war motion picture focusing on several important elements crucial to make the audience aware of the gritty war between the Indonesian Army and KNIL.

Hati Merdeka centers on several characters --who are already familiar for the viewers of the previous movies--. Tomas (Donny Alamsyah), an illiterate but a brave man, and is trying desperately to date Senja (Rahayu Saraswati). Marius (Darius Sinathrya), a rich kid from a father who's pro KNIL, but he chooses to fight with the Indonesian Army. Lieutenant Dayan (Teuku Rifnu Wikana) the mute and Captain Amir (Lukman Sardi), their leader, the pious and the pacifist.

The film opens with a scene in Yogyakarta. Captain Amir and his men are currently assigned to assassinate Raymer, the head of Brutal Dutch elite troops known as Depot Special Troepen with the special liking to blood and strict rule. Raymer who used to be less evil and even care about an Indonesian girl named Weni has developed the taste for sadistic brutality after having been tortured by the even more sadistic Japanese soldiers and witness how Weni got beheaded right before his eyes. All this because of the betrayal of a fellow soldier (an Indonesian) who had sold Raymer to the Japanese.

Raymer, who had served KNIL in Sulawesi, is currently stationed in Bali. However, out of the blue, Cpt. Amir refuses to assassinate Raymer or lead his men due to his expecting a newborn child. And then Cpt. Amir eventually changes his profession to being a teacher and live peacefully with his wife Melati (Astri Nurdin). Nevertheless Melati slowly realizes her husband's burning desire and true calling to free the country from the Dutch Army. Shocked, Dayan and his fellow soldiers march on to Bali with disappointment and bafflement, carrying the noble mission to capture Raymer dead or alive.

Hati Merdeka is actually the name of a Pinisi Boat that carries Marius, Tomas and Dayan who disguise themselves as fishermen. In the sea they are attacked by the Dutch Navy and things got even more bloodier (and gory) when Tomas, Marius, Dayan and Senja has just landed arrived in a village in Bali. A survivor, Dayu (Ranggani Puspandya), is helped just in time before she got raped by KNIL militia soldiers. However, her family are beyond help for they are only bloody corpses now and gruesomely mutilated on their legs. Coming into consciousness after a state of deep shock, Dayu becomes the guide for our freedom fighters to find the local guerrilla commander, Lieutenant Colonel Wayan Suta (Nugie, a famous singer), who's set up emergency base camp in a big natural cave. And to their surprise, they find Captain Amir is already there carrying the same mission. What are these freedom fighters going to do to capture Raymer?

Interesting to note there are several characters which deviate this film from the regular path of mere shooting killing dying and winning (or losing). The drama is nicely-written and also the location is good, the costumes are good, the furniture is perfect. And the blasting explosion effects are something that I'm really proud to see! It feels very Hollywood and tech-savvy! The explosion of Pinisi Boat, the tank, the jeep the Bali Village... Whow! Me Happy and Likey this movie! And the sound effects or the sounds of the gun being fired is pleasantly deafening! Believe me mates, the explosions are not just that tame "ciu-ciu, dor-dor, duar duar" No way jose, you're gonna see some real of plenty Ka-Boom and Bang (with capital K and capital B). And there is this warm proud feeling in my heart seeing the Magnificent Pinisi Boat of Hati Merdeka majestically cruise the sea.

And there is also the empty-handed fighting/martial arts scenes which are a perfect addition to all the actions! I'm sure they are using Indonesian own martial arts, Silat. Probably my biggest complain is the story. Why? Well, practically there isn't any real and true villain to the movie. Raymer is given a degree of humanity that makes us feel kinda sorry for him. And the effort to make a twist (a scene involving Dayu and Bali Village) is clearly a failure to seasoned moviegoers especially to Hollywood movie critics.

I'm not easily touched by any movies. But a scene where the freedom fighters are praying according to their respective religion to pray for their wounded friend (who's starting to lose his own faith) is very sentimental and emotional. Especially with the growing tense between religion and heightened racism we're dealing with nowadays! I mean what's up with that mates? I came from a family with diverse ethnicity and religions, so even though I'm a Moslem, I find no difficulties whatsoever to befriend those who are not! You don't do bad to people who are innocent especially those who do good to you.

I admit I feel kind of emotional seeing Hati Merdeka. I mean, I don't grow any disrespect feeling to opposite side and I love Holland now and eager to stay in Amsterdam. Nevertheless, In those time of KNIL in the late 40s, My grandparents and almost all my families were literally marching and walking from their residents in Jakarta all the way to Yogyakarta. My grandmother was even still pregnant and she had to carry the baby (my uncle) all the way through the rough terrains and the woods to Yogyakarta. One of my elder relatives even said he's poisoned after choosing the wrong mushrooms deep in the woods. What I'm saying is that without sacrifice and heroic deeds of our Indonesian heroes, our ancestors and founding fathers throughout those long 350 years, there won't be any comfortable cinema, 21 Cineplex, Blitz Megaplex, heck mate! There probably won't even be us... And this is What Merah Putih trilogy especially Hati Merdeka is presenting us, the chance to grow our patriotism and respect to the forgotten Indonesian Heroes. MERDEKA!

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com
posted: Saturday, 11 June 2011 10:35 pm