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Chitra Dewi
Chitra Dewi
Chitra Dewi
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Rara Patma Dewi Tjitrohadiseikusumo (26 January 1930 – 28 October 2008),[1] best known under her stage name Chitra Dewi, was an Indonesian actress and director. She was noted for her roles in Usmar Ismail's films of the 1950s, appearing in films such as Tamu Agung (Exalted Guest, 1955), Tiga Dara (Three Maidens, 1956), and Pedjuang (Warriors for Freedom, 1960), although she remained active in cinema until 1993 and won a Citra Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 1979 Indonesian Film Festival for Gara-gara Isteri Muda (Because of a Young Wife, 1977). Dewi also had a brief stint film directing in 1971, making her one of only six Indonesian women to direct a film before 1998. She was the part of Classical Indonesian Cinema.

Key Information

Life and career

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Chitra Dewi was born Rara Patma Dewi Tjitrohadikusumo in Cirebon, West Java, on 26 January 1930. She completed a senior high school education.[2]

Indriati Iskak, Chitra Dewi, and Mieke Wijaya in Tiga Dara

Dewi made her feature film debut in 1955 with Tamu Agung (Exalted Guest), a satirical political comedy directed by Usmar Ismail for Perfini. However, she only gained recognition the following year, when she starred in the company's musical Tiga Dara (Three Maidens) alongside Mieke Wijaya and Indriati Iskak.[3] This film, which became Perfini's greatest commercial success and spawned a series of look-alike competitions in which women would attempt to act as the film's titular three women, followed the love lives of three sisters who lived with their grandmother.[4] According to the film historian Misbach Yusa Biran, Dewi was considered to represent the ideal Indonesian woman: softspoken and constrained.[5]

Dewi remained with Perfini into the 1960s, appearing in such films as Djendral Kantjil (General Deermouse, 1958) and Pedjuang (Warriors for Freedom, 1960);[6] the latter film was screened in competition at the 2nd Moscow International Film Festival in 1961.[7] She also appeared on stage in productions by the National Theater Academy in Jakarta.[8] In the meantime, she began to appear in a number of films by other companies, including Persari (Holiday in Bali, 1962), Panah Mas Film (Bing Slamet Merantau [Bing Slamet Wanders], 1962), and Agora Film (beginning with Lembah Hidjau [Green Valley, 1963] and continuing until Darah Nelajan [Fisherman's Blood, 1965]).[3][6]

In the late 1960s, while remaining active as an actress, Dewi began to become involved behind the scenes. She established her own film production company, Chitra Dewi Film Production, and in 1967 produced her first film: 2 X 24 Djam (2 X 24 Hours). This company produced five further films,[9] including three directed by Dewi herself— Bertjinta dalam Gelap (Making Love in the Dark), Dara-Dara (Maidens), and Penunggang Kuda Dari Tjimande (The Horseman of Cimande) (all 1971).[3] These films were unsuccessful,[8] and subsequently Dewi focused on acting.[3] In 1971 she was recognized by the Journalists' Union of Indonesia [id] for her performance in Nji Ronggeng (The Ronggeng, 1969).[10]

In the 1970s and 1980s Dewi was cast predominantly in supporting roles, including in Fred Young's romance Putri Solo (Daughter of Solo, 1974), Asrul Sani's drama Kemelut Hidup (Complexities of Life, 1977), and Wahyu Sihombing's drama Gara-gara Isteri Muda (Because of a Young Wife, 1977).[3] For this last film, she received the Citra Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 1979 Indonesian Film Festival.[10] Dewi performed in a further twenty films in the 1980s and 1990s, ending her feature film career with Pedang Ulung (Grand Sword) in 1993,[6] a year after receiving a lifetime achievement award from the National Film Council.[3] She received another lifetime achievement award at the 2007 Bandung Film Festival.[1]

Death and legacy

[edit]

Dewi saw a downturn in her health in 2006, following the death of Bambang Samsudi, her eldest son. In March 2008, she spent two weeks in Pondok Indah Hospital after being admitted for malnutrition. Her poor health continued, however, and at 14:00 Western Indonesian Time (UTC +7) on 28 October 2008, she died at the home of her second and youngest child, Agus Erwin, in South Jakarta, at the age of 78. She was buried at Jabang Bayi Cemetery in Cirebon near her parents and son.[1][11]

Only six female directors appeared in Indonesian cinema until 1998; aside from Chitra Dewi, these women directors were Ratna Asmara, Roostijati, Sofia W.D., Ida Farida, and Rima Melati.[12] Of these, all except Farida had previous experience as actresses.[3] These directors rarely, if ever, received the same recognition as their male counterparts, and acting remained the only way for a woman in the industry to gain recognition.[13]

Since the fall of Suharto in 1998, the number of women directors has increased dramatically.[13] Several of them have received national and international recognition. The earliest in this generation are Mira Lesmana and Nan Achnas, who collaborated with several other directors in Kuldesak (1999).[14] Further examples include Nia Dinata, who has had two of her films, Ca-bau-kan (The Courtesan, 2002) and Berbagi Suami (Love for Share, 2006), submitted for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film;[15] and Djenar Maesa Ayu, whose Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet! (They Say I'm a Monkey!, 2008) was on several lists of the best Indonesian films of 2008.[16][17]

Filmography

[edit]

During her fifty-year career, Dewi acted in more than eighty films. She also produced four, directed three, and wrote two.[6] Dewi was also active in television, including in such series as Dr. Sartika (1989–1991), Jendela Hati (Heart's Window, 1994), Kedasih (1995), and Dua Pilar (Two Pillars, 1997).[3]

As crew

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As actress

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Chitra Dewi

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from Grokipedia
Chitra Dewi was an Indonesian actress, producer, and director known for her extensive career in Indonesian cinema spanning from the 1950s to the 1990s. She gained initial recognition for her role in the 1956 film Tiga Dara, which marked her breakthrough and established her presence in the industry. Over the decades, she appeared in numerous films across various genres, including notable performances in 2 X 24 Jam (1967) and Samiun dan Dasima (1971), while also taking on producing roles in several projects. Born on January 26, 1934, in Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia, under the name Roro Patma Dewi Tjitrohadikusumo, she founded her own production company, Chitra Dewi Film Production, which allowed her to expand into directing and producing during the 1970s. Her work contributed to the development of Indonesian film during a transformative period in the nation's cinema history, with credits reflecting versatility in both acting and behind-the-scenes roles. She passed away on October 28, 2008, in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia.

Early life

Birth and family background

Chitra Dewi was born Roro Patma Dewi Tjitrohadikusumo on 26 January 1934 in Cirebon, West Java, in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia). Her full birth name reflects traditional Javanese naming conventions common in the region, though detailed information about her parents, siblings, or broader family background remains limited in documented sources.

Entry into acting

Chitra Dewi made her feature film debut in 1956 with Tiga Dara, directed by Usmar Ismail, where she starred alongside Mieke Wijaya and Indriati Iskak. This musical drama became a significant early success and brought her name to broader attention, marking her entry into the Indonesian film industry during a period of emerging national cinema.

Career

Debut and early roles (1950s)

Chitra Dewi made her feature film debut in 1955 with Tamu Agung, directed by Usmar Ismail. The film marked her entry into Indonesian cinema during a period when the industry was rebuilding after independence. She gained widespread recognition the following year for her role as Nunung, the eldest of the three titular sisters, in Tiga Dara (1956), also directed by Usmar Ismail and produced by Perfini. The musical comedy centered on the sisters' romantic and familial entanglements, with Nunung depicted as facing marriage pressure from her grandmother. The film's commercial success significantly increased her popularity and was regarded as elevating the maturity of her acting. Throughout the remainder of the 1950s, Dewi continued to build her career with appearances in additional Indonesian films, often collaborating with director Usmar Ismail and the Perfini group, which helped establish her as an emerging talent in the industry. Her early roles laid the foundation for her later prominence in Indonesian cinema.

Peak acting career (1960s–1970s)

Chitra Dewi's acting career reached its peak in the 1960s and 1970s, when she solidified her status as a leading figure in Indonesian cinema by embodying the archetype of the ideal Indonesian woman—gentle, modest, patient, self-sacrificing, and emotionally restrained. Her performances during this era often portrayed passive characters who endured suffering silently, a trait that aligned with prevalent depictions of women in New Order-era films. She starred in several notable films that highlighted her dramatic range, including 2 X 24 Jam (1967), where she also took on producing duties. In The Ronggeng Dancer (1969), known originally as Nji Ronggeng, she played Sari in a lead role that exemplified the suffering yet unprotesting female figure, earning recognition as a runner-up for Best Actress from PWI in 1971. One of her most prominent roles came as Dasima in Samiun dan Dasima (1971), a dramatic performance that further cemented her reputation in popular cinema. Throughout the 1970s, Chitra Dewi frequently took on maternal or supporting roles reflective of her maturing image, while continuing to draw on her established persona of quiet strength. Her supporting performance in Gara-Gara Istri Muda (1978) brought her the Piala Citra for Best Supporting Actress at the 1979 Festival Film Indonesia, marking a significant achievement in her later acting years.

Directing, producing, and other contributions

In addition to her extensive acting career, Chitra Dewi became one of the rare Indonesian actresses to transition into directing and producing, a path followed by only a few others such as Ratna Asmara and Sofia WD. She founded her own production company, Chitra Dewi Film Production, which enabled her to take on these roles and produce multiple films. Through her company, she served as producer on 2 X 24 Jam (1967) and Samiun dan Dasima (1971). In 1971, she made her directorial debut with Bercinta Dalam Gelap, which she also helmed as part of her work that year, and directed two additional films: Dara-Dara and Penunggang Kuda dari Tjimande, all produced under her company. Chitra Dewi later reflected on her producing experience, stating that she had become "kapok" or thoroughly fed up with making films in that capacity. She continued occasional acting appearances during this period of expanded involvement behind the camera, extending into later decades.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Chitra Dewi was born into a noble family in Cirebon, bearing the birth name Roro Patma Dewi Tjitrohadikusumo. Her family initially disapproved of her pursuing an acting career, viewing it as low-status. She married at the age of 16 to Raden Samaun, who was also from a noble background. The couple had three sons. The marriage ended in divorce shortly after her breakthrough success with the 1956 film Tiga Dara, which brought her significant fame. While biographical sources often focus on her professional achievements in acting, directing, and producing, some details of her personal life are documented in later articles. Major film databases contain limited or no information on these aspects.

Death

Final years and passing

Chitra Dewi passed away on 28 October 2008 in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, at the age of 74. No further details regarding the circumstances of her death or her activities during her final years are documented in available sources.

Legacy

Influence on Indonesian cinema

Chitra Dewi is recognized as a pioneering figure in post-independence Indonesian cinema, where her career as an actress, director, and producer spanned nearly four decades and helped shape the industry's development during its formative years. She emerged as a prominent actress in the 1950s through key roles in films such as Tamu Agung (1955) and Tiga Dara (1956), contributing to the establishment of a national cinematic identity in the post-colonial era. Her multifaceted involvement extended beyond acting when she founded Chitra Dewi Film Production, under which she produced five films and directed three—Bertjinta dalam Gelap (1971), Dara-Dara (1971), and Penunggang Kuda dari Tjimande (1971)—marking her as one of only four female directors in Indonesia before 1998. This rare achievement highlighted her role in demonstrating women's potential in creative leadership within a predominantly male industry. Her dedication to Indonesian film earned her professional recognition, including the Piala Citra for Best Supporting Actress at the 1979 Festival Film Indonesia for her performance in Gara-Gara Istri Muda (1978) and the Penghargaan Kesetiaan Profesi from the Dewan Film Nasional in 1992. Posthumously, her legacy was further honored when the Festival Film Indonesia named its award for Favorite Actress by Audience Vote the Penghargaan Chitra Dewi in 2021, a tribute to her enduring influence as a trailblazer who proved women's capabilities across multiple roles in cinema. This naming reflects her status as an "artis tiga zaman" whose work continues to inspire recognition of female contributions in Indonesian film history.

Filmography

Selected credits as actress

Chitra Dewi earned recognition for her versatile performances in Indonesian cinema, particularly through a series of notable roles that spanned drama, musical, and cultural narratives. Her early breakthrough came with the musical drama Tiga Dara (1956), directed by Usmar Ismail, where she portrayed Nunung, the eldest sister compelled toward marriage amid comedic family dynamics. Later in her career, she starred in the 1967 film 2 X 24 jam, directed by Danu Umbara, contributing to the era's evolving storytelling in Indonesian film. She delivered one of her most prominent performances as Dasima in Samiun dan Dasima (1971), directed by Hasmanan, portraying a njai who is deceived and ultimately killed by a man seeking her wealth in this adaptation of a classic Indonesian tale. These selected credits underscore her lasting contributions to key films from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Credits as director and producer

Chitra Dewi founded Chitra Dewi Film Production, enabling her to take on producing and directing roles in addition to her acting career. Through this company, she produced several films in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Dua Kali Duapuluh Empat Djam (also known as 2 X 24 Djam, 1967), where she received producer credit. She also served as producer on Samiun dan Dasima (1971). In 1971, Chitra Dewi directed three films: Penunggang Kuda dari Tjimande, Dara-Dara, and Bercinta Dalam Gelap (also known as Bertjinta dalam Gelap). These efforts marked her as one of the few Indonesian actresses to transition into directing during that era. Later in life, she expressed having become weary of filmmaking endeavors.
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