The Ministry of Education and Culture Appreciates the Production of the Biopic Film on Ki Hadjar Dewantara

Jakarta - Ki Hadjar Dewantara is a national hero who has made significant contributions to the development and advancement of education in Indonesia. In fact, the date of Ki Hadjar Dewantara's birth has been designated by the government as National Education Day (Hardiknas).

Recognizing Ki Hadjar Dewantara's substantial role, the film production house Wahana Kreator has initiated the production of a film titled Ki Hadjar Dewantara. This film is planned to be completed and released in conjunction with the commemoration of Hardiknas in 2026 as a tribute to the legacy of concepts and ideas for advancing education left by Ki Hadjar Dewantara. 

The production of the film Ki Hadjar Dewantara has also received support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) during the research and story development stages. The family of the Father of National Education also attended as honored guests at the ceremony (2/5) and the peak celebration of Hardiknas 2024 at Indonesia Arena (3/5). At the peak celebration of Hardiknas 2024 at Indonesia Arena, it was also conveyed that this film tells the story of the life, thoughts, and ideals of Ki Hadjar Dewantara.

The Director General of Culture, Hilmar Farid, expressed that Kemendikbudristek strongly supports the initiative of the film production house Wahana Kreator in initiating the production of the film titled Ki Hadjar Dewantara. Hilmar added that various Merdeka Belajar policies promoted by Kemendikbudristek have now become a movement throughout Indonesia, rooted in the spirit and ideals of Ki Hajar Dewantara.

“As the next generation of the nation, we must firmly uphold and instill Ki Hadjar Dewantara's spirit in the world of education in every generation, one way to do this is through film as a medium for cultural advancement,” said Hilmar on Monday (6/5).

Furthermore, Hilmar stated that the film Ki Hadjar Dewantara is expected to be a reflection and open a space for discussion about education. “This can also be a good way to ignite the spirit of Merdeka Belajar, Merdeka Berbudaya for all students and the Indonesian community,” concluded Hilmar. 

In line with this, the Director of Film, Music, and Media, Directorate General of Culture, Ahmad Mahendra, stated that the film Ki Hadjar Dewantara can serve as a good example of a film as a learning tool for the community in an entertaining and enjoyable way. 

Therefore, Mahendra added, he hopes that more national film works will emerge and inspire all layers of Indonesian society. “Kemendikbudristek continues to strive to support various initiatives, ideas, and works that arise from every Indonesian artist, including films. This is a good effort to support the strengthening of the Indonesian film ecosystem,” said Mahendra.

Maudy Ayunda, as the producer of the film Ki Hadjar Dewantara, expressed her hope that this biopic can add an important dimension to the world of education and film in Indonesia, namely the arts and character education. “These two points are quite important to me and I certainly hope they can inspire all Indonesian students,” said Maudy. 

Meanwhile, the great-grandson of Ki Hadjar Dewantara, Ki Bayu Prabangkara, revealed that his extended family warmly welcomes the plan to produce the film Ki Hadjar Dewantara. He stated that the film Ki Hadjar Dewantara contains important goals and moral messages to advance the learning paradigm in Indonesia and to enlighten the nation's life in accordance with the spirit of Ki Hadjar Dewantara.

“We welcome the plan to make this film since the initial meeting with Wahana Kreator. We hope that the blessing we provide can facilitate the film production process and the important messages of Ki Hadjar Dewantara can advance the learning paradigm in Indonesia,” said Ki Bayu Prabangkara as the Chairman of the Ki Hadjar Dewantara Family Foundation.

Currently, the production process of the film Ki Hadjar Dewantara is entering the research, story development, and scriptwriting phase. The film, directed and written by Gina S Noer, is scheduled to start shooting in 2025 and is planned to be released in 2026 coinciding with the Hardiknas momentum.