Reza Rahadian: Being a star is temporary, be an actor is forever

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Twenty-nine-year-old Reza Rahadian is one of the few emerging stars in Indonesia's film industry. This year, six of his films have been or are currently being screened in local movie theaters, two of them having broken box office records in the country. My Stupid Boss, directed by Upi Avianto, has been viewed by three million moviegoers, while Rudy Habibie, directed by Hanung Bramantyo, has attracted two million viewers. 

Reza's previous film Habibie & Ainun (2012), directed by Faozan Rizal, the second top-selling film out of 10 best-sellers in Indonesia, had 4.4 million viewers, second only to Laskar Pelangi, watched by 4.6 million people. Having starred in 41 films in the past 10 years, Reza told Tempo reporters Tika Primandari, Aisha Shaidra, Reza Maulana and Sapto Yunus last week that, "Being a star is temporary, to be an actor is forever."

He admits, however, to being exhausted at having to promote his films, which are being screened in close proximity to each other. Even so, he could not resist the offer to act in Bunga Penutup Abad a film based on a story by the late great novelist Pramoedya Ananta Toer. He claims to be reenergized by the new project. "I have begun shooting on location again with a renewed spirit," said Reza, winner of three Citra film awards. 

Why do you think your films are doing so well?

The producers were willing to invest in big promotion campaigns. In the past, many filmmakers blamed an apathetic public for not supporting Indonesian films, even though they have done the run at international film festivals. It's true, there's no budget to promote them. But we shouldn't blame the viewers.

How many films do you limit yourself to in a year?

I never do more than three shoots. In that way, nothing gets unfinished.

Is this to prevent filmgoers from becoming bored at watching too many of your films?

When people get bored, it could be for two reasons. First, because I star in them and secondly, because they think Indonesian films are about the same thing over and over again. Not all my films sell well. Some are only watched by 200,000 or 300,000 people. If people are really bored of me, I don't know how to resolve the problem. Should I stop making movies or make less in a year? I can't prevent producers from distributing my films. There are people who feel Indonesian films only feature Reza Rahadian. Obviously they haven't done their research, that this year alone, there have been 148 Indonesian film titles. And only four of mine have been screened.

What are your main considerations when you agree to do a film? 

It depends on the role I play, how the character develops. If I've never played the role before, there would be a chance to explore and project something different. Then I look at the director if I'm attracted to the role. I have worked with many major directors. My first one was Ismail Sofyan Sani, who trained me to be an actor. He said a star only appears at night, a temporary thing, but an actor has no limits. He pushed me into trying out different character roles.

Would you consider rejecting sensitive roles, like those containing ethnic or religious prejudice, or sex? 

I think about whether I can convey something through the role I play. Perhaps it may be sensitive but it should be heard. People shouldn't be closing their eyes and ears and always play it safe. I was once summoned by the leaders of the Nahdlatul Ulama at Mojokerto for my role as a Banser member in the film Tanda Tanya (directed by Hanung Bramantyo in 2011). In Kapan Kawin (a film by Odie C. Harahap in 2015), I chided the producer for his treatment of people working in the film. I don't mind people protesting, but it's not my responsibility to make every one happy about my work.

So far, which role has been the most difficult to play?

That of Tjokroaminoto. First, because the film was set during the 1920s. I'm not familiar with that period, so I had to do a lot research. And there has never been a visual recording of the man. I never knew how he walked, what his posture was like or how he delivered his speeches. Fortunately, Garin Nugroho (director of Guru Bangsa: Tjokroaminoto, 2015) gave me space to explore this role. One point he stressed was that Tjokroaminoto was Sukarno's teacher. So, I studied Bung Karno, because his oratory must have been influenced a bit by Tjokroaminoto. The rest was my own personal interpretation.

I was also worried about playing the role of Habibie (Reza won the Citra Award as best actor in Habibie & Ainun). Then came the offer to play in Something in the Way from Teddy Soeriaatmadja. The character in it was the total opposite of Habibie. Here's a guy who was addicted to porn and masturbated constantly. I seek roles like that. I wanted to get out from roles like Habibie so I chose the other extreme. In fact, I put some 'color' into it, even though people protested, including my own mother. She was worried because they had nudity and masturbation in the film. This film was not able to enter the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) but more importantly, I got the best actor award from Tempo in this film.

Which other figures would you like to act out? 

I would very much like to play the role of Chairil Anwar because his life was extraordinary. There was happiness, yet ruin and heartache. I would like to immerse myself in his life for a period of time. I have prepared for that role mentally. (*)

Read the full interview in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine