Misbach Yusa Biran

Misbach Yusa Biran (11 September 1933 – 11 April 2012) was an Indonesian writer, director and columnist who pioneered the Indonesian film archives.

Personal life

Biran was born in Rangkasbitung, in the Lebak Regency, to a Minangkabau father and a Bantenese mother. In 1969, he married actress Nani Widjaja. They had six children, two of whom (Cahya Kamila and Sukma Ayu) also went into the film industry.

Career

Early life Biran graduated from Taman Madya Bagian B, in Jakarta. He first began directing plays in the early 1950s, whilst at school, whilst he additionally wrote film reviews and produced literature works. However, after his graduation, he chose a career in film.

Film From 1954 to 1956, Biran worked for the Indonesian National Film Company (PERFINI) under Usmar Ismail. He began as a script recorder, and later became Assistant Director and member of the Writers' Board. He rose to the position of Director of National Film Centre H. Usmar Ismail Jakarta, member of the National Film Council, and Chairman of the Film and Television Employees from 1987 to 1991.

In 1955, Biran wrote his first screenplay from a short story by Sjumandjaja, titled Kerontjong Kemajoran, which was later turned into a film titled Saodah by Persari Film.

From 1957 to 1960, he directed short films and documentaries. In 1967, Biran won the Citra Award for Best Director for his film Dibalik Tjahaja Gemerlapan. He also received an award for Best Script for his film Menjusuri Djedjak Berdarah, and for Ayahku (1987), directed by Agus Elias. His literary works included Bung Besar (drama, 1958), which was awarded second prize in a screenwriting competition by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 1958; Setengah Djam Mendjelang Maut (Drama, 1968); Menjusuri Djedjak Berdarah (novel, 1969); Keajaiban di Pasar Senen (anthology of short stories, 1971); and Oh, Film (anthology of short stories, 1973). The latter two story collections were bound and reprinted under the title Keajaiban di Pasar Senen in 1996.

Death Biran died on 11 April 2012 at the Eka Hospital, Serpong, Tangerang, Banten after a prolonged struggle with lung cancer. He was 78.

Awards Biran received an award from Forum Film Bandung for his dedication and contribution in the film industry.

He continued to write screenplays, and believed that film is a means to teach and raise the quality of human lives, particularly the lives of Indonesians.

In 2010, he received fellowships from the Southeast Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Archive Association (SEAPAVAA) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Films

Directing Pesta Musik La Bana (1960) Holiday in Bali (1962) Bintang Ketjil (1963) Panggilan Nabi Ibrahim (1964) Apa Jang Kautangisi (1965) Dibalik Tjahaja Gemerlapan (1966) Menjusuri Djedjak Berdarah (1967) Operasi X (1968) Honey Money and Djakarta Fair (1970)

Screenplay writing Menyusuri Jejak Berdarah (1967) Ayahku (1987) Fatahillah (1997)

Books Sejarah Film 1900–1950