Actress Christine Hakim talks about the empowerment of women in Indonesian cinema

Christine Hakim has been acting in Indonesian films for more than 50 years, and her latest performance is the driving force behind “Bila Esok Ibu Tiada” (“If Tomorrow I’m Gone”), a family drama released last month.  

The film has received mixed reviews in the Indonesian media, but the 67-year-old actress’s portrayal of a recently widowed mother of four was hailed as “stunning,” “extraordinary,” and “memorable,” among other accolades.

In an interview with BenarNews, Christine reflected on the role of women in the Indonesian films and how the industry has evolved over the decades spanning her career.

“When I started, the roles for women in Indonesian cinema were very specific,” she said. 

“They worked as actresses, makeup artists, and costume designers. Now, there are a lot of Indonesian female directors, producers, and cinematographers. I am so happy about that.”

Christine debuted in “Cinta Pertama” (“First Love”), a picture released in 1973.

“I am not young anymore. I am almost 70 years old, but I can still star in and lead a movie,” Christine told BenarNews. 

“It is not because of all the awards I have won that I am still working, but because of my skill to get a role and because people believe in what I do.”

That’s what landed her a part in the English-language HBO zombie apocalypse television series, “The Last of Us,” whose first season aired last year.

It was a small role, of between eight and 10 minutes, but her cameo performance packed such a wallop that it became one of the most talked about scenes of the series. It earned rave reviews among critics and fans of the show worldwide.

On social media discussion platform Reddit, a whole thread titled “Christine Hakim absolutely nails her role as the mycologist,” is dedicated to discussing her acting skills.

“Her scenes are my most frequent re-watch. So powerful and yet so horrifying,” one fan said.

“Genuinely one of the best ‘before it hits the fan’ moments in any post-apocalypse media I’ve consumed. Loved it,” another said.

Since its release on Nov. 14, her latest outing, “Bila Esok Ibu Tiada,” has become the seventh highest-grossing film of the year in Indonesia, with more than 3 million tickets sold. 

The feature delves into the complexities of aging, motherhood and the evolving roles of women in Indonesian society.

Christine portrays Rahmi, a mother whose life is turned upside down after the death of her husband, Haryo (played by Slamet Rahardjo). 

As the matriarch of a family with three adult daughters and a teenage son, Rahmi grapples with the complexities of her relationships, compounded by her children’s occasional ingratitude and sibling rivalry.

Christine expressed surprise at the film’s warm reception, noting that Indonesian audiences typically prefer genres like horror and action. However, she is pleased that the film’s nuanced portrayal of family dynamics and a mother’s struggle has found a broad audience.

Christine credits the resurgence of the Indonesian film industry in the 2000s to female directors and producers who made diverse films, creating space for a new generation of filmmakers.

Through her career, Christine has sought to highlight the role of women, especially through her 1988 portrayal of historical figures like Cut Nyak Dhien, an Acehnese resistance leader who fought against Dutch colonial forces in the late 19th century.

The film won the 1989 Cannes Film Festival award for Best International Film. The role won her critical acclaim and deepened her understanding of Indonesian history.

“That role made me want to learn more about my country, my roots, and the role of women in Indonesian history,” she said. “I knew I came from Indonesia, but I didn’t know what that meant.”

“I love that we have such powerful women in Indonesia, but we have to dig into our history,” she said. 

Christine also points to other female icons such as Raden Ayu Kartini, a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and education, and Dewi Sartika, a path-breaking educator.

“The role of women in our history is very important,” she said. 

“If a politician says that a woman can’t lead this country, then I think they don’t understand our history.”