Pak Sakerah

(title translation: Mr. Sakerah)

This famous story in ludruk (Indonesian traditional play) loses its soul in the film version. Sakerah is a pious thug who has two wives, is wealthy but also a mommy’s boy who loves to dance. The characterization loses the complexity of the character from the original story. Sakerah’s character is also meant to contrast against Brudin, Sakerah’s adopted nephew. Brudin loves to gamble and flirt with girls, including Sakerah’s young wife, Marlena. While the film is about the resistance towards the Dutch, the story is less convincing due to the one-dimensional character of Sakerah who is shown as a good person. Sakerah has magical power and this is known only by his two fellow disciples who take sides with the Dutch for money. Then Sakerah is tricked with tayub dancing, one of his weaknesses.