Perayaan Ulang Tahun Siti Supadjar (The Birthday Party)

Fiction / 6 min / 2017

In collaboration with Piring Tirbing

History is written by the victors. This adage often becomes the last line of defense for those who are already exhausted, worn out, and tired of talking about history. At the end of discussions—whether in formal forums or casual conversations in coffee stalls or cafés—young people tend to conclude the topic with this statement, usually in a pessimistic tone, accompanied by a long, heavy sigh.

One of the most compelling and frequently discussed parts of Indonesian history—at least among younger generations—is the stories, events, trajectories, and eventual polemics surrounding the existence of cultural institutions during the Soekarno era in the 1960s. During this period, many cultural organizations emerged with differing directions and missions, carrying a wide range of philosophies and ideologies.

Among the many institutions, at least three have stood out and continue to draw attention: Lekra, LKN, and Lesbumi.

When people discuss, examine, and analyze these institutions in relation to the cultural discourse of that time, the conversation often departs from a perspective of ideological clashes, conflicting ideas, and disputes of thought. This film, however, offers another way of reading and responding to history. It invites us to see them as companions—friends who shared moments together, like any other human beings.

Through the celebration of Siti Supadjar’s birthday, and through her role in bringing them together, they are able to gather in one place—chatting, exchanging jokes, sharing memories and experiences, and arriving at perhaps the most intimate and sacred gesture: taking a photograph together.