''Belenggu Masjarakat'' (

Perfected Spelling The Enhanced Spelling of the Indonesian Language ( id, Ejaan Bahasa Indonesia yang Disempurnakan, EYD) is the spelling system used for the Indonesian language. History The Enhanced Spelling of the Indonesian Language ( id, Ejaan Bahasa Indone ...

''Belenggu Masyarakat'', released internationally as ''Shackled Society'') is a 1953 Indonesian drama film directed by D. Suradjio and Lie Gie San, and starring Amran S. Mouna,

Mimi Mariani Sumiarto Suharto (born Troely Callebaut; 8 June 1928 – 1 May 1971), better known by the stage name Mimi Mariani, was an Indonesian actress, model, and singer who was of mixed Belgian, Dutch, and Manado heritage. Known as the first Sri Asih (ch ...

, Lies Permana Lestari,

Wahid Chan Wahid or Waheed is an Arabic masculine given name, meaning "One", "Absolute One". Al-Wahid is one of the 99 names of Allah. Given name * Waheed Akhtar (1934–1996), * Waheed Alli, Baron Alli (born 1964), British multimillionaire media entreprene ...

, and S. Bono. This film marks the screen debuts of Lestari.

Plot

Suparto is a middle-ranked officer who is moved to Jakarta. He meets Harjiman, the licensing importer, who introduced him to Roostinah whose task is to seduce Suparto for help in securing the import licenses. Suparto's wife, Sulastri, comes to Jakarta when she hears about her husband's unfaithfulness. Then Suparto realizes that Roostinah is sent to seduce him, but when he returns to Sulastri, she rejects him. His crime is discovered and Suparto is sent to prison. When he completes his sentence, Suparto joins the migration to Sumatra. Then Sulastri accepts him again.

Cast

Production

The black-and-white film was shot, and directed by D. Suradjio and Lie Gie San, and was written by Syamsuddin Syafei. It was Suradjio's only film as director. It starred Amran S. Mouna,

, and Lies Permana Lestari. ''Belenggu Masjarakat'' is the only film that produced by Raksi Seni Film Coy, a film company which was established by Suradjio.

Release and reception

''Belenggu Masjarakat'' was released in March 31, 1953, and was screened again at

Metropole Theatre A metropole (from the Greek ''metropolis'' for "mother city") is the homeland, central territory or the sovereign state , state exercising Power (social and political) , power over a colonial empire. From the 19th century, the English langua ...

Jakarta Jakarta (; , bew, Jakarte), officially the Special Capital Region of Jakarta ( id, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta) is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Lying on the northwest coast of Java, the world's most populous island, Jakarta ...

from March 31 until April 5, 1954, during the first

Indonesian Film Festival The Indonesian Film Festival (Indonesian: Festival Film Indonesia, 'FFI') is an annual awards ceremony organised by the Indonesian Film Board and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology to celebrate cinematic achievements in ...

. This film won Best Cinematography award at

in 1955. A

35 mm 35 mm may refer to: * 135 film, a type of still photography format commonly referred to as 35 mm film * 35 mm movie film, a type of motion picture film stock * 35MM 35 mm may refer to: * 135 film, a type of still photography format ...

copy of the film is reportedly stored at Sinematek Indonesia in Jakarta. Film critics praised the film for not having a pleonastical dialogue like most Indonesian films of that time, such as

Usmar Ismail Usmar Ismail (20 March 1921 – 2 January 1971) was an Indonesian film director, author, journalist and revolutionary of Minangkabau descent. He was widely regarded as the native Indonesian pioneer of the cinema of Indonesia. Biography ...

's film. However, another review says that ''Belenggu Masjarakat'' was failed to show in-depth narrative and psychological exploration of the characters after revolutionary war. This film featured S. Bono and Lestari in supporting roles, who later married and became the parent of actress Rini S. Bono. Lestari also made another two films role such as ''Rahasia Sukudomas'' (1954) and ''Kasih Sajang'' (1954), before leaving the film industry.

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, tt24787566 1953 films 1953 drama films Indonesian drama films Indonesian black-and-white films Indonesian-language films Films shot in Indonesia Films set in Indonesia