A Transnational Perspective

RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015

KENNEDY AND SOEKARNO IN POPULAR MOVIES: A TRANSNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

A leader is someone who is perceived to represent a community. In nations that apply democracy, where people can choose their president through general election, the chosen leader is certainly someone who can meet the majority’s taste and criteria. President Kennedy from the United States and President Sukarno from Indonesia are two examples of the popular leaders that have been adored by their people through generations. This research examines leadership representation of Kennedy and Sukarno in movies, how their characters are built on screen, and the significance of their appearance in movies. This research employs Representation Theory from Stuart Hall combined with Transnational Theory of New American Studies. This research is able to explain the connection between popular fiction and the social and political phenomena in both countries, the US and Indonesia, in the time before the general election. Besides, this research finds shared values and ideology in Kennedy’s and Sukarno’s leadership represented in movies.

Keywords: leadership, movies, representation, ideology, transnational

INTRODUCTION Indonesian values and ideology through their popular figures in the movies. This research is inspired by the social and political phenomena before the general Some American movies which portray the election in the US and Indonesia, particularly life of Kennedy are chosen for this research. the presidential election in 2014 in Indonesia They are JFK, The Thirteen Days, The and the last two presidential elections in 2008 Kennedys, Killing Kennedy and Parkland. and 2012 in The United States of America. Their ratings on IMdB and Rotten Tomatoes There were similar things that appeared are good and they are the most recent movies during the campaigns, the candidates about John F. Kennedy. Those movies are associated themselves with a previous considered to be the most representative president from the past. In the US, Obama samples to present the image of John F. was ideologically identical with President Kennedy and to portray the political chaos in Kennedy. In Indonesia, the effort was the early 1960s. In the Indonesian context, obvious. The two candidates, Joko Widodo Soekarno, Ketika Bung di Ende, and Ruma and Prabowo Subianto, built their images as Maida will be used to compare. They are the next Sukarno. Besides, in the last decade chosen because they are the most recent there were many movies that put Kennedy movies presenting Sukarno. and Sukarno on screens. Those political and cultural phenomena show that there is In the United States, even in the world, the something in Kennedy and Sukarno which is name of John F. Kennedy is still quite interesting to explore. Therefore, this paper popular and powerful today. According to a invites the readers to see American and poll sponsored by Gallup, Inc., an American research and global performance management consulting company, John F.

28 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015

Kennedy is still considered as the best If the United States has John F. Kennedy as modern president of the United States. Dugan the ideal leadership model, Indonesia has and Newport reports that nearly three- Sukarno as the loveable model of Indonesian quarters of Americans believe John F. leadership. This research does not have the Kennedy will go down in history as an intention to compare Kennedy and Sukarno outstanding or above-average president. personally in their real life, but to compare Another poll conducted by CNN Poll also their images built on screens. Pramoedya presents a result that erodes the generation Ananta Toer, a political reporter for the PIA gap among Americans who rank President news agency in the Sukarno years (1953- Kennedy as the top president of the United 1956) wrote the biography of Sukarno for States for the last fifty years. CCN political Indonesia Monitor, a website containing editor, Steinhauser, reports that, information about Indonesia. He writes that Sukarno “united his country and set it free. There is no real generation gap in He liberated his people from a sense of Kennedy’s approval rating. It stands inferiority and made them feel proud to be at 89% among people under 50 who Indonesian” (Toer, n.d.). His opening marks were not even born when Kennedy was killed, and at 92% among older the mighty power of Sukarno. Sukarno is Americans, most of whom would seen as the leader of Indonesian in their have memories of Camelot.” CNN struggle for independence. releases the result of the poll on the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s Officially becoming the president of assassination. The poll is conducted Indonesia on its independence day, Sukarno on November 18-20, 2013 by ORC led and directed Indonesia through many International with 843 adult domestic and international issues, such as Americans questioned by telephone. The survey’s overall sampling error Irian colonization by the Dutch, imperialism, is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points communism, the Non-Aligned Movement, (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2 regime change, etc. In April 1961, President 013/11/22/cnn-poll-jfk-tops- Sukarno, in respect of an invitation from the presidential-rankings-for-last-50- United States, visited Washington to have a years/ accessed on April 13, 2014). meeting with the new president of the United States, President John F. Kennedy. Jones For many Americans, John F. Kennedy is not (1977) wrote only commemorated for his career in politics. President Kennedy’s impression after People also recognize him as a superstar. He having discussions with President was the youngest candidate for president in Sukarno on some matters, such as 1960. Some aspects of his life including his Soviet communism, West Irian, and noble family, his beautiful wife Jacqueline also the negotiation to release Allan Bouvier Kennedy, his popular attraction and Pope, an American pilot who was some scandals due to his affairs make him suspected of getting involved in the into the complete package of United States Ambon bomb attack in 1958. President Kennedy summed up his popular figure. Professor Lewis L. Gould private impression of Sukarno as “an writes for BBCHistory that Kennedy is the inscrutable Asian” (p. 197). “celebrity of the White House.” He believes The era of Sukarno came to an end in March that John F. Kennedy has remained frozen in 1967. General Suharto became as the time as a youthful, vibrant figure (Gould, successor of President Sukarno. There are 2013). some rumors that it was a regime change and

29 Mala Hernawati — Kennedy and Soekarno in Popular Movies: A Transnational Perspective the United States took part in supporting won again in the next election in 2009. Sadly, Suharto overthrowing Sukarno. Furthermore, his second term was not as bright as his first even though the era of Sukarno ended in term. Many politicians and critics state that 1967 and the New Order under Suharto had President Yudhoyono was too cautious in its own mechanism to put away all the things making some important policies. related to Sukarno, people from Sukarno’s Unfortunately, his reputation suffered when generation are alive to promote his ideology. his political party had to deal with many Toer writes that lately Sukarno’s reputation corruption cases. had begun to be reexamined in 1998, the time when the era of Suharto ended. Suharto was Having a leader with a very thoughtful and ousted by the reformation movement and cautious image, supported with the political Sukarno’s daughter, Megawati Sukarno Putri, climate which accommodates freedom of became the first female president of expression, gives many Indonesians the Indonesia. Toer adds, “It was, in a way, Bung opportunity to express their desire to recall Karno’s triumphant political comeback” the former leader who had a higher degree of (Toer, n.d.). determination. However, people’s desire to recall Suharto is not quite as strong as The radical demonstration in 1998 by people’s desire to recall Sukarno. The Indonesian youth was the turning point for evidence can be seen in the Indonesian Indonesia to enter the reformation era that presidential election of 2014. Both longed to create a healthier, more democratic presidential candidates, Joko Widodo and Indonesia. The New Order which suppressed Prabowo Subianto, put some obvious effort people’s freedom to speak about their towards looking like President Sukarno, both aspirations and ideas had lost its power. The ideologically and physically. fall of Suharto’s regime was followed by a great monetary crisis. Indonesia was near Prabowo Subianto imitated the way President collapse. Slowly but surely Indonesia was Sukarno dressed himself. He always wore a able to overcome the crisis and even became white shirt with pockets on it, the one that the most dynamic country in South East Asia. Sukarno often wore daily. On the other hand, The era of reformation was like an open gate Joko Widodo did not wear the same outfit as for people’s freedom to express and excavate President Sukarno, but he strengthened his the suppressed feeling during New Order. image building in the way he made Besides, it was like the wind of change for connections with Indonesians. He mingled the destiny of Indonesia in the future. with the people and created no boundaries between himself and the people. Having a One interesting phenomenon one decade after tight-knit relationship with his people was the fall the New Order is that Indonesians one of the characteristics of President have tendencies to recall the past. Some Sukarno. After all, both candidates brought recall the glory of the Suharto era; some also the ideology of President Sukarno: always recall the glory Sukarno brought for the stick to Pancasila, the five philosophical country. In 2004, Susilo Bambang principles of Indonesia used to build the Yudhoyono was elected president of country. In delivering speeches, both Indonesia. In the first term of his presidential Prabowo Subianto and Joko Widodo made era, he was successful in stabilizing the themselves sound like President Sukarno. country. He is seen as the one who succeeded They talked a lot about food sovereignty, to lead Indonesia out of the crisis. He then social welfare and distribution, indigenous

30 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015 heritage and so forth. In addition, Joko understood as profoundly Widodo was supported by Megawati comparative and transnational, even Soekarno Putri, the daughter of President when it concentrates exclusively on Sukarno. It strengthened the idea that Joko the internal diversity of the US. (Rowe, 2010, pp. 7-8) Widodo was ideologically identical with Sukarno. Beside that humble idea and that broader space in its scope, new American Studies What can be seen at this point is both in calls on its scholars to use innovative and Indonesia and in the United States, there are established theories and interdisciplinary some certain times when people tend to recall methodologies to elucidate the larger cultural the figures from the past. Therefore, the meanings and social consequences of their release of the movies about President criticism. Reviewing Rowe’s new American Kennedy and Sukarno need to be analyzed Studies, Whaley explains that Rowe beyond the idea that they are only concentrates on a re-reading of literary text entertainment. The movies accommodate and close readings of popular film, television, people’s imagination of an ideal leader. media, and social problems with the hope that Therefore, this paper examines how their his work might provoke and challenge images are built in the movies. colleagues also committed to broadening the scope of American Studies and articulating its THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK relationship with complimentary fields (Whaley, 2014). This research is under the new American Studies theory proposed by John Carlos Entangling the new trend in new American Rowe. According to Rowe (2010), the new Studies, this research takes movies as the American Studies has different characteristics material objects for this research. In order to with the American Studies from the 1930s. examine the relationship between producers The characteristic of a new American Studies can be generally described. and consumers, and to find out the ideology No longer focused exclusively on in the movies, the present writer uses theory consensus history and assimilationist of representation proposed by Stuart Hall, a ideals, American Studies takes into Cultural Studies thinker. Hall’s representation account the many different and is considered to be the suitable theory to constantly changing communities elucidate this popular culture phenomenon. that constitute the United States… His idea about representation is greatly Indeed, another crucial development of the new American Studies is the influenced by the thought of his forerunners rediscovery of the polyglot history of like Saussure, Barthes, and Foucault. the United States…The new American Studies is also attentive to According to Hall (1997), representation is the ways the US has participated in the process by which members of a culture traditional imperialism, both in use language (broadly defined as any system Manifest Destiny and slavery…the which deploys signs, or any signifying new American Studies should take all system) to produce meaning. Hall’s definition of the different nations and communities of the western carries the important premise that things- hemisphere as its object of study… objects, people, events, in the world-do not Whether or not we accept the have in themselves any fixed, final or true hemispheric scope of the new meaning. It is people in society, within American Studies, the field should be human cultures-who make things mean

31 Mala Hernawati — Kennedy and Soekarno in Popular Movies: A Transnational Perspective something, who signify. Meanings, meaningful and to communicate consequently, will always change, from one about that world meaningfully to culture or period to another. There is no others. (Hall, 1997, pp. 25) guarantee that every object in one culture will have an equivalent meaning in another. Hall continues explaining that in the Therefore, one important idea about constructionist approach, representation representation is the acceptance of a degree involves making meaning by forging links of cultural relativism between one culture and between three different orders of things: what another. we might broadly call the world of things, people, events and experiences; the Hall classifies three different approaches to conceptual world – the mental concepts we explain how representation of meaning carry around in our heads; and the signs, through language works. He call those the arranged into languages, which communicate reflective, the intentional, and the these concepts. constructionist or the constructivist approaches. Among others, the METHODOLOGY constructionist approach has had the most significant impact on Cultural Studies in This research applies a descriptive qualitative recent years. The present writer also approach. According to Creswell (2009), considers that this approach is the most qualitative method is described as approaches sufficient for this research. The used to gather data systematically, but the constructionist approach recognizes the social data is purely descriptive, and therefore not character of language, numerical,

Things don’t mean: we construct Qualitative research is a form of meaning, using representational interpretive inquiry in which systems – concept and signs. Hence it researchers make an interpretation of is called the constructivist or what they see, hear, and understand. constructionist approach to meaning Their interpretations cannot be in language. According to this separated from their own approach, we must not confuse the backgrounds, history, contexts, and material world, where things and prior understandings. After a research people exist, and the symbolic report is issued, the readers make an practices and processes through interpretation as well as the which representation, meaning and participants, offering yet other language operate. Constructivists do interpretations of the study. (p. 212) not deny the existence of the material world. However, it is not the material Furthermore, Best (1970) describes that at world which conveys meaning: it is times, descriptive research is concerned with the language system or whatever how what is or what exists is related to some system we are using to represent our preceding events that have influenced or concept. It is social actors who use affected a present condition or an event. The the conceptual systems of their process of descriptive research goes beyond culture and the linguistic and other the mere gathering and tabulating of data. It representational systems to construct involves an element of analysis and meaning, to make the world

32 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015 interpretation of the meaning or significance historical film cannot be made. of what is described. (Deshpande, 2004)

In collecting the data, this research employs From that quotation, movies have their own library research. The primary data for this ways to describe history or to create images research was acquired from the mental because they should meet market demands evidence: the movies. To support the main which means providing what people are data, much information and data was gained likely to watch. Even though movies are not from a close book text reading, and the real depiction of someone, they still play exploration from the articles, journals, and important roles in building an image or the sources from reliable websites on the reputation which accommodates the Internet. The data was collected and then imagination of the audiences. However, catalogued based on certain topics of historical movies still need to stick to the discussion. grand historical narration. They cannot make the story and the setting out of history. They DISCUSSION should be careful in choosing the casts IMAGE FORMULATION IN KENNEDY because the audiences have had formulaic AND SUKARNO MOVIES images of those popular figures. This This section shows how movies construct the research finds four classifications that specify images of the two legendary leaders, the similarities and contrasts of Kennedy and President Kennedy and President Sukarno. Sukarno’s leadership representation in The data and surveys show that youths who movies: psychical and personality qualities, did not live during their presidential era know faith and religious identities, ideology, family and even adore them. The popularity of those and scandals. figures might be not only supported by the A. PSYCHICAL AND PERSONAL historical texts or historical lessons in class QUALITY but also by the roles of popular cultures’ products, particularly movies. It can be Almost all people agree that both Kennedy logical since the selected movies that portray and Sukarno were charismatic presidents. the life of President Kennedy and President They both have physical and inner beauty Sukarno romanticize their private and that people cannot resist. Therefore, all the political life, so they become so loveable to casts to play their roles need to meet certain the audiences, qualities to bring the nuance of the reality on screens. Since they are popular figures and But what about the historical film everyone seems to recognize them, all the which fictionalises history? To begin movie about them need to maintain the with, it must be understood and reality even though it is in the movies. conceded from the viewpoint of accuracy, that all historical films are Pictures below are the actors who played fictional to a lesser or greater extent. Kennedy in previous movies. At a glance, If they were not be, they would bore they look alike. It proves what has been the audience to death and fail at the discussed above that the actors who play box office. Without the play of Kennedy are chosen for some certain criteria, imagination, fictional characters, such as, possessing the qualities of John F. invented minor events and emotional Kennedy, at least in their physical appearance responses of historical persons the

33 Mala Hernawati — Kennedy and Soekarno in Popular Movies: A Transnational Perspective so they can generally represent a fine image Kennedy and White House aide, Kenny of Kennedy. McDonell.

A Harvard historian, May (2001) in his analysis writes that The Thirteen Days is successful in (1) building the image of Figure 1. Figure 2. Rob Figure 3. Greg Kennedy as a very thoughtful president, and The real Lowe as Kinnear as (2) making the Cuban Missile crisis as the President Kennedy in Kennedy in The greatest crisis in the world history, Kennedy Killing Kennedys (2011) Kennedy (2013) …the film succeeds in representing the presidency as demanding very high intelligence and cool judgment…Bruce Greenwood’s wholly believable performance as Figure 4. Bruce Figure 5. Brett Stimelly as John F. Kennedy in Thirteen Greenwood as Kennedy in Parkland Days shows a real president – not a Kennedy in The (2013) Camelot knight but someone who Thirteen Days (2000) recognizes that he has a very difficult In Oliver Stone’s JFK (1991) movie, there is job and that anything he does or says no actor to play as Kennedy, but in the can have huge consequences. (May, beginning of the movie there is a scene which 2001) portrays the real gunshots incident in Dallas. In this movie, the audiences are directed to As it has been discussed in the previous think of the real John F. Kennedy who is chapter, Blight and Lang’s analysis (2013) known as the celebrity of the White House. explains that Kennedy is a ‘black swan’ – the one who is different with the others. It can be The Thirteen Days (2000) dramatically shows seen clearly in The Thirteen Day. This movie the audiences that the job of being Mr. obviously shows the contrast of ideas President is really hard to do. Greenwood as between Kennedy and his military and President Kennedy successfully brings the defense advisors. audiences to see his dilemma in dealing with the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962. As the In The Kennedys (2011) series, Greg Kinnear president of the United States, Kennedy does shows the audiences how John F. Kennedy not only work with his logic and strategy but faced many dreadful situations in his life. also with his heart in making the decisions to This movie-series is successful in shaping the start a war or to go on a diplomatic mission. image of Kennedy as a victim of situations, at The movie shows the internal conflict the same time presenting him as a person between President Kennedy and his military who had deep consideration and good and defense advisors. President Kennedy intention toward what happened around him. insists on preventing the war but almost all It is seen in the movie that from the his advisors suggest that he should take beginning of his career in politics, Kennedy military action to cope with the Cuban was a victim of his father’s obsession. After Missile issue. This contrast develops the the death of Kennedy’s oldest brother, strong image of President Kennedy as the Kennedy Sr. lost the son he dreamed to be the protagonist together with his brother, Robert future president of the United States. Since he

34 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015 saw the potential in his second son, Kennedy Sr. wanted Kennedy to get involved in politics so he could be a presidential candidate. This movie-series shows how Kennedy Sr. demonstrated dirty politics in order to put Kennedy in congress as a Figure 6. The real Sukarno Figure 7. Imam senator. However, the movie shows that Wibowo as Sukarno in Kennedy was morally clean and did not take Ruma Maida (2010) part in unacceptable practices. Running for presidential candidate in 1961 made Kennedy so busy and tired. The movie-series shows how Kennedy’s backbone disturbed him from the beginning of the campaign until he earned his job as president. For so many decisions he Figure 8. Baim Wong as Figure 9. Ario Bayu as Sukarno in Ketika Bung di Sukarno in Soekarno made, he had to bear the pain he felt in his Ende (2013) (2013) backbone. This kind of show certainly attracts the sympathy of so many people in In Soekarno (2013), Ario Bayu plays the role realizing that Kennedy was not healthy. of Sukarno. To get his role as Sukarno, he had to compete with another notable actor in In Killing Kennedy (2013), Rob Lowe acts as Indonesia, Anjasmara, who had experienced Kennedy. In contrast to The Kennedys, Lowe playing Sukarno in several shows. Bayu is plays Kennedy’s role as a stronger and capable of presenting Sukarno as a firm, happier character. The beginning of the charming, and confident character at the same movie shows the most popular scene in time. In Soekarno (2013), the audiences can Kennedy movies where John F. Kennedy see Sukarno as a person who commits to plays ball with his children and family. It bringing the Indonesian people to their shapes his image, not only as a father for the independence. In his young age, the United States but also as a charming father leadership blood flowed from his heart. He for his children. got the knowledge for his speeches from his teacher, Tjokroaminoto. He was also a smart On the other hand, Sukarno is no less student in his engineering class at Institut magnetic and attractive. Similar to Kennedy’s Teknologi Bandung (Technical Institute of case, the actors are chosen to meet certain Bandung). One important thing about criteria of being Sukarno. Indonesians have Sukarno, he was brave enough to speak about already had an imagination about Sukarno. his ideology. He for several times was put in Therefore, the movie’s makers cannot make jail because he openly stood against the the characters of Sukarno out of the Dutch colonists. Soekarno (2013) portrays characteristics of Sukarno. All the Sukarno Sukarno’s perseverance while he was in exile. actors are set as much as possible to imitate the real Sukarno. Ketika Bung di Ende (2013) concerns with the life of Sukarno during his exile in Ende, the capital city of East Nusa Tenggara province. In this movie, Baim Wong builds the character of Sukarno as a patient and wise man. Sukarno here is also portrayed as a loyal husband, and a very lovable son and

35 Mala Hernawati — Kennedy and Soekarno in Popular Movies: A Transnational Perspective father. In Ende, Sukarno lived with his wife, figures are portrayed as good leaders and Inggit, his mother in law, and his adopted family men-men with pure hearts who want daughter, Omi. He spent much of his time to contribute something good to society. In with them. Therefore, this movie successfully addition, the movies show the scenes of both shapes the image of Sukarno as a family man. presidents with the background of their national flags. It builds the strong connection In this movie, everyone in Ende seems afraid between both figures and their countries. It to get close to Sukarno. They do not want in strengthens the patriotic sense in them. put themselves in trouble by having contact with him. Therefore, Sukarno in this movie is depressed because there is nothing he can do on the land where almost all the people do B. FAITH AND RELIGIOUS not want to have contact with him. With his ATTRIBUTES perseverance, he patiently tries to make connections with the locals. Wong is able to In the discussion of faith and religious show the modesty of the leader to start every identities, there is an obvious difference communication with the locals. Finally, between President Kennedy and President Sukarno wins the locals’ hearts; people come Sukarno. In the Kennedy movies, Kennedy to his house for routine pengajian (activity to does not imply anything in accordance with learn and read the holy Quran). Here, his religion. People know that Kennedy has Sukarno is presented as a humble and religion due to the WASP myth in the US. generous person. Kennedy was a Catholic and the majority of the United States people are Protestant. In Ruma Maida (2010), Sukarno does not appear much in scenes. Sukarno is portrayed In The Kennedys (2011), the only religious as an art and peace lover. There is a scene in practice shown in the movie is portrayed by this movie that shows him enjoying the piano Kennedy’s mother. She is a very faithful music played by Isa Pahing who created the Catholic, during the hard times she shows her song Pulau Tenggara (South East Island), faith toward Jesus Christ that he is the only which becomes the inspiration of Sukarno to one who can help her sons to overcome many form the Non Aligned Movement since obstacles in their jobs. Kennedy’s father is Indonesia does not tend to support the West the opposite, and does not believe in God. He and the East Bloc. becomes aware of God right after the death of President Kennedy. President Kennedy At the end of this movie, Maida, the main himself and his family never show their character of this movie asks her students to religious identity. Based on that fact and always remember what President Sukarno referring to the explanation that movies always said, “Jas Merah…Jangan sekali-kali represent what people like, it can be seen that melupakan sejarah” [Do not ever forget the there is no need for movie producers to show history]. Sukarno here is commemorated as a Kennedy’s religious practices or attributes leader who learned a lot from the history of since it is different with the majority. his predecessors and stuck to the norm and tradition of eastern culture. On the other hand, the image of Sukarno in the movies is always associated with his Overall, from the movies, it can be seen that religion, Islam. The image of Sukarno cannot there is similarity between all of them. Those be separated from his peci, a Moslem head-

36 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015 cover, which he always wears in every occasion. The appearance of Sukarno’s At this point, it can be concluded that the way character is always associated with Moslem producers decide what to show and what not attributes. It becomes an important thing to to show depends on the target market for show to the audiences because the producers their products. The image of Sukarno and know the nature of Indonesian people. If the Kennedy are shaped to meet the market United States has WASP myth to be a leader, demand and to gain more profit for the which stands for White Anglo Saxon producers. Protestant, Indonesians also have their own myth of leadership. The leader is supposed to C. IDEOLOGY: DEMOCRACY be Javanese and Moslem. However, Indonesians somehow are sensitive with the Even though Sukarno and Kennedy lived on religion issue. The majority of Indonesians different parts of the globe, in the movies, embrace Islam as their religion and their ideologies manifested and their ways of throughout history Indonesia has never had a thinking are presented almost the same way. non-Moslem president. Knowing the nature Both are humanitarian and libertarian. They of the market and the Islamization in struggle for the goodness of mankind, and Indonesia, the producers always consider it as the most visible one is they both promote a significant point to show the religious democracy. attributes in Sukarno movies. In The Thirteen Days (2000), in many scenes the audiences see the different arguments Furthermore, both in Soekarno (2013) and between John F. Kennedy and his military Ketika Bung di Ende (2013), there are scenes and defense advisors and also the congress. that show Sukarno doing prayers. In Soekarno (2013), Sukarno appears doing President Kennedy: Look, I don't shalat, Moslem prayers, before he makes want a god-damn pep talk; you're not important decisions. In Ketika Bung di Ende the Harvard quarterback anymore. (2013), Sukarno also appears doing shalat. We're on the brink here! They're There is one scene in Ketika Bung di Ende trying to second-guess me into World (2013) that shows Sukarno sitting by the sea. War III - well it's not gonna happen! He prays and begs Allah to lend him the Kenny O'Donnell: What did you power of the sea waves that are never tired of think Congress was gonna do? rolling up and are able to break the coral. He President Kennedy: Well, I, you wants Allah to give him that kind of power so know... he never feels too tired to struggle for (Donaldson, 2000) Indonesia’s independence. This movie successfully puts John F. In Soekarno (2013), Sukarno works as a Kennedy in a very hard situation dealing with teacher in one Muhammadiyah school in the Cuban Missile crisis. President Kennedy Lampung. Muhammadiyah is a big Moslem does not want to go to war with Cuba or the organization in Indonesia. It is an old Soviet Union, but his military and defense Moslem organization noted as the Islam advisors push him to send a military force to reformist organization whose main activities Cuba as soon as possible. Some of his are in religion and education. advisors including Le May, Bundy, Muhammadiyah is also identical with Islamic McNamara, etc. scold him in the back as a modern thinkers. weak person who cannot handle the nation

37 Mala Hernawati — Kennedy and Soekarno in Popular Movies: A Transnational Perspective when it is on pins and needles. Fortunately, analysis, our most basic common link John F. Kennedy has loyal advisors who is that we all inhabit this small stand by his side, such as, his brother Robert planet. We all breathe the same air. Kennedy and Kenny O’Donnel, We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.” McGeorge Bundy: These people are (Donaldson, 2000) right, and the Kennedys are wrong. We need you to talk to them - they'll Finally, at the end of the movie, the closing listen to you. Jack and Bobby are remark from Kennedy emphasizes his good men but it takes a certain ideology. amount of... President Kennedy: You know, it's Kenny O'Donnell: You mean the been a long two weeks and, uh - or president of the United States-? whatever - but I'd like to thank you McGeorge Bundy: They are good all; I think you all did a great job, and men... I just think - I don't think we should Kenny O'Donnell: -and the attorney be gloating too much, 'cause it was general? just as much a victory for them as it McGeorge Bundy: Kenny, they're was for us... Enjoy your morning. good men but it takes a certain (Donaldson, 2000) character - moral toughness - to stand up to the Soviets. For those quotations from the movie the Kenny O'Donnell: [whispering] You audiences see that victory according to listen to me. You're in the White Kennedy is not winning the war but House right now because of the preventing the war. The audiences also see Kennedys. Now, they may be wrong; the humility that President Kennedy has, the they make mistakes, but they are not victory of preventing war is the victory of weak. The weak ones are these everyone; the real victory of mankind. people who can't seem to speak their own minds. In Soekarno (2013), Sukarno also presents (Donaldson, 2000) the same spirit. Several days before the Independence Day, the Indonesian youth The movie also successfully shows the basic under Sukarni’s influence were not patient ideology of Kennedy, which was making waiting for independence. They forced peace all around the world. In the movie, he Sukarno to declare the independence of does not like war and really takes a deep Indonesia as soon as possible. They accused consideration in deciding whether it is Sukarno as a traitor who stood on Nippon’s necessary or not to use military force. side and did not struggle for the sake of Indonesia’s independence. Sukarno insisted President Kennedy: “What kind of on his principle not to declare independence peace do we seek? I am talking about in a rush because he was aware that careless genuine peace, the kind of peace that action might cause great suffering for makes life on earth worth living. Not Indonesians. He did not want to see his merely peace in our time but peace people to be the victims of independence (in for all time. Our problems are making several deals with both Dutch manmade - therefore, they can be colonist and Nippon, Sukarno always solved by man. For, in the final required that they would not hurt

38 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015

Indonesians). He made the safety of his there is absolute difference in the way they people as his top priority and tried to practiced democracy, which shows the maintain peace. culture of each country. There are scenes when Kennedy has meetings with the other Dealing with democracy, Soekarno (2013) White House officers. The nuance of the successfully portrays the way Sukarno led the meeting is casual. There is no certain sitting meeting with the Indonesian important arrangement or anything that differentiates figures to set the ideological and president from the others. The people philosophical principles of the country. On involved in the meetings are free to stand or June 1, 1945, Sukarno came in front of the to sit down on their chairs. They are also free committee and presented the idea that he had to position themselves in their comfortable in mind since he was in exile. He drew the styles. It represents the nature of Americans. following five principles: (1) Kebangsaan These movies show that equality and Indonesia [Indonesian Nationality]; (2) democracy are embedded in the blood of Internasionalisme [Internationalism]; (3) Americans. People come to the meeting with Musyawarah Mufakat [Deliberative something in their mind and they are free to Consensus]; (4) Kesejahteraan Sosial [Social speak it. There is no border that distinguishes Welfare]; Ketuhanan yang Berkebudayaan president and his staff. During the meetings, [Cultural Religiosity]. Those principles even when someone does not agree with the drawn by Sukarno greatly influenced the president, they literally say that. philosophical foundation of Indonesia which is now known as Pancasila. After having On the other hand, Indonesians culture is some rearrangements by the other members different with American culture. There are of the Investigating Committee for the also scenes that show Sukarno leads the Preparation of Independence (Badan meetings. Sukarno comes in front of the Penyelidik Usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan others to present his idea. From the way he Indonesia, BPUPKI), Sukarno’s idea was takes position and distance from the others, it transformed to be the following: (1) represents Indonesian culture. There is an Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa [Belief in the one invisible distance between the leader and his supreme God]; (2) Kemanusiaan Yang Adil followers. The position of the leader is in the dan Beradab [Justicial and Civilized front of the others; he or she is higher and Humanity]; (3) Persatuan Indonesia [The more powerful than others. It is also related unity of Indonesia]; (4) Kerakyatan Yang to the social stratification in Indonesian Dipimpin oleh Hikmat Kebijaksanaan, society. Even though Sukarno promotes the Dalam Permusyawaratan dan Perwakilan spirit of equality, democracy, and freedom, it [Democracy guided by inner wisdom in the does not mean that there is no distance unanimity arising out of deliberations among between him and his people. In some scenes, the representatives]; (5) Keadilan Sosial Bagi Sukarno sits on a chair, and sometimes Seluruh Rakyat Indonesia [Social justice for stands, when he talks to the locals in Ende all Indonesians]. From those principles, the who sit on the floor. Those scenes depict the audiences know the basic ideologies of social hierarchy that differentiates Sukarno Sukarno, which were humanity, justice, and with the others. democracy. D. FAMILY AND SCANDALS However, even though there was a parallel between Kennedy and Sukarno’s spirit, but

39 Mala Hernawati — Kennedy and Soekarno in Popular Movies: A Transnational Perspective

Nobody knows the truth, but the discussions opposite, American movies show the scandals on Kennedy and Sukarno are always related more obviously than the Indonesian movies. to their scandals with many women. Therefore, in the movies that part is never absent. Mr. President’s romance and desire seem to be a commercial issue to expose. Many scenes in The Kennedys (2013) show Figure 10. The Figure 11. The Kennedy’s affairs with some women such as Kennedys (2013) Kennedys (2013) his secretary, White House entertainers, and the famous actress Marilyn Monroe. In Soekarno (2013) there are some scenes that imply Sukarno has affairs with some girls. Even though Kennedy and Sukarno are Figure 12. Soekarno Figure 13. surrounded by scandals, there is a visible (2013) Soekarno (2013) difference between them that may cause a significant justification on their image. Figure 10 and 11 show how Kennedy plays in the swimming pool with some naked girls. In the movies, Kennedy plays with some The next scene only shows a floating bra in women but he keeps it a secret–a public the pool, the audiences are left to think about secret–that everybody knows even his own what it means. The next two pictures show wife. Kennedy for several times is warned by how Sukarno flirts with Fatmawati in the Jackie Kennedy not to humiliate her in front movie Soekarno (2013). They do not engage of Americans. Each time Kennedy is caught in physical contact but only tease each other red handed with a woman, he has a guilty with their eyes and smiles. feeling but he cannot help it. He tells his brother, Robert Kennedy, there must be a part Moreover, the movies successfully bring the of a child who wants to play in every man. bias in exposing the affairs of the presidents. He only wants to play and he realizes that he They are put in a situation that makes the has a beautiful lady beside him. He tries to audience can understand their position. It is make sense that his affair has no harm for his the women who are crazy about them. They marriage. He only married Jacqueline do not have to do anything, but the women Kennedy and kept her as his only wife until come to them by their own willingness. he died. Therefore, the audiences cannot put the blame on the two leaders only, but on the On the other hand, Sukarno has several wives women too. and mistresses. It may relate to the culture and religion since in Islam a man can have One important point is the significance of more than one wife. In Soekarno (2013), marriage for both of the presidents. Each Sukarno left Inggit, his second wife, to marry needs to affiliate himself with his wife and his adopted daughter’s friend, Fatmawati. children. An ideal president is supposed to have a harmonious family. In the Kennedy Below are the pictures that show how movies movies, The Kennedys, The Thirteen Days, depict their scandals. The Indonesian movies and Killing Kennedy, the scenes showing do not show the obvious physical contact Kennedy playing with his little children are between Sukarno and his mistresses. On the the magnetic part of his life which strengthens his image as a family man.

40 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015

gather together and there is no difference between the parents and the children, the old brothers and the young brothers. Figure 17 shows how Kennedy and his wife talk to each other in a casual occasion. As seen in the figure, his wife can do that pose. That thing would not be framed in Sukarno movies Figure 14. JFK (1991) Figure 15. Soekarno (2013) because at that time, a wife was seen as a subordinate to her husband, so a wife needed From the examples above, there is a contrast to behave in front of her husband even between the United States and Indonesia on though it was a casual occasion. The last two how leadership relates to the value of family. figures show the nature of Indonesian people. Kennedy with his children playing ball is The parents are higher than the children are. really something that Americans like to see. It can be seen in Figure 18 and 19, Sukarno On the other hand, in the Indonesian context bows his head and kneels in front of his that kind of display is not considered mother. It is important to show to the significant. There is no scene like that in Indonesian audiences because Indonesians Indonesian movies. If Sukarno plays with his see that as an important criteria for choosing child, the kid is in the hands of the mother. It a leader: a good person is the one who loves shows that it was still embedded in and obeys his/her parents. It proves that Indonesians’ point of view that children were production of movies is really influenced by supposed to be the mother’s business only – a the social and cultural background of the father did not bother himself to take care of society. his children. CONCLUSION Furthermore there are also many scenes in the movies that show contrasting values This research shows that there are some between Indonesia and the United States. significant points in the appearance of Below are the pictures that show the contrast popular figures like John F. Kennedy and of the family value represented by the Sukarno in the movies. First, the producers Kennedy and Sukarno in the movies. know that they are influential figures that people love to see on screens. Second, their images on screens can be interpreted to have several different meanings depending on their time of release. They more than just retell the audiences about the glory or the chaos in the Figure 16. Figure 17. The Kennedys (2011) Killing Kennedy (2013) past but at the same time also make the audiences think in romantic way about their past leader. By recalling and romanticizing the figures and the heroic moments in the past, movies produce meanings. More profound than just entertainment, they can be Figure 18. Figure 19. criticism, support or celebration toward the Soekarno (2013) Soekarno (2013) ruling government and also suggestions for Figure 16 shows how American families the next leader in the near future. One gather with each member of the family. They important thing is when people recall or

41 Mala Hernawati — Kennedy and Soekarno in Popular Movies: A Transnational Perspective memorize something in the past, people also At the end, trough representation theory, this expect things that they may not have in the research shows that Kennedy and Sukarno in present. the movies are the representations of the ideologies and values of their societies. As a criticism, JFK (1991) can be the Sukarno represents the Indonesian values, example. It was released when the such as respecting others, hospitality, Republicans became the ruling party. In 1991 religiosity, etc. Sukarno in the movies also the United States got involved in the Gulf shows the dream of Indonesians which is War. This movie shows a kind of criticism democracy. On the other hand, Kennedy toward the government by recalling the past. represents the American values and This movie wants to say in the past the ideologies such as equality and democracy. United States had the figure of Kennedy who was totally different with the ruling leader at REFERENCES that time. Kennedy did not like going to war, but the ruling president at that time did. Bramantyo, H. (Director). (2013). Soekarno [Motion Picture]. Ruma Maida (2009) can be seen as a Deshpande, A. (2004). Films as Historical celebration of the ruling regime. This movie Sources or Alternative History. was released in 2009 when Indonesia Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. experienced the era of freedom of speech, act, 39, No. 40, 4459. and expression. This movie is a celebration of Donaldson, R. (Director). (2000). The the reformation era after the long repressive Thirteen Days [Motion Picture]. period of the New Order. The other works Eagleton, T. (1991). Ideology. New York: that represent the same thing are Killing Verso. Kennedy (2013) and Parkland (2013). Those Felluga, D. (n.d.). Modules on Lacan: On movies are all about Kennedy. Killing Desire. Retrieved from Psychology: Kennedy and Parkland appear to http://www.purdue.edu/guidetotheory commemorate the 50th anniversary of /psychoanalysis/lacandesire.html Kennedy’s death. Gould, L. L. (2013, November 21). JFK: Celebrity of the White House. However, movies can suggest the future Retrieved from BBCHistory: leader. Soekarno and Ketika Bung di Ende, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldw both were released in 2013, one year before ars/coldwar/kennedy_celebrity_01.sh the Indonesian presidential election in 2014. tml The release of these movies indeed gave Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural influences toward their audiences in defining Representation and Signifying what kind of a leader that they wanted to Practices. London: SAGE have in the future. This phenomenon also Publications. happened in the United States in 2000. The Landesman, P. (Director). (2013). Parkland movie The Thirteen Days was released at the [Motion Picture]. end of the Democrat authority, under May, E. (2001). Thirteen Days in 145 President Clinton’s presidential. In 2001 a Minutes. The American Prospect, presidential election was held in the United Vol. 12, No.1. States. McCormick, N. (Director). (2013). Killing Kennedy [Motion Picture].

42 RUBIKON Volume 2 / Number 1 February 2015

Miller, M. A. (2012, April 3). Indonesian Toer, P. A. (n.d.). Founding Father and First Youth in the Post-1998: Era of President. Retrieved from Indonesia Democratization. Retrieved from Al Monitor. Arabiya News: Westi, V. (Director). (2013). Ketika Bung Di http://english.alarabiya.net/views/201 Ende [Motion Picture]. 2/04/03/205067.html Whaley, D. E. (2014). What Is This "New" in Soeriaatmadja, T. (Director). (2009). Ruma the New American Studies? Parallel. Maida [Motion Picture]. Retrieved from Stone, O. (Director). (1991). JFK [Motion http://www.49thparallel.bham.ac.uk/ Picture]. back/issue12/whaley.htm Surnow, J. (Director). (2011). The Kennedys [Motion Picture].