Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A film is to be made on the life and struggle of Grand Commander Soedirman, a historic icon of the Indonesian military, in July 2012 to instill the spirit of nationalism, patriotism and leadership, especially in the younger generation.

AR Syukriyanto, a Muhammadiyah associate chairman, said here Thursday the film was to be produced at a time when the nation was experiencing a deficit in exemplary national role models. .

"What we now need are leaders who can serve as examples in terms of integrity and honesty, who are willing to make sacrifices for the progress of the nation and Soedirman was such a figure ," he said.

According to Koes Yuliadi who would write the movie`s script, he would base his work on research on Soedirman`s life and role in the nation`s struggle for independence as related in a number of biographies by various authors. He would also conduct interviews with the late leader`s surviving relatives and friends.

Koes said the film would consist of three sequels, the first would be on the period when Soedirman lived in Cilacap, Central Java, where he was actively involved in the Hizbul Wathan scout movement and worked as a Muhammadiyah school teacher.

The second sequel would be on the general`s period in Yogyakarta where he met then Lieutenant Colonel Suharto (who later became Indonesia`s second president) and Sultan Hamengkuwono IX of Yogyakarta, a key figure in the early stages of the nation`s iondependence struggle.

The third sequel would elaborate on Soedirman`s role in the guerilla war Indonesia launched waged against the colonial regime that was at the time still occupying the country.

Syukriyanto AR also said the institution would also hold an art exhibition themed "To the Sun" which will feature 40 works of Muhammadiyah artists held at the University of Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. HAMKA (Uhamka) Pasar Rebo Jakarta on January 9-11, 2012.

The exhibition will be opened by the Chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly, Taufik Kiemas.

"This art exhibition show that Muhammadiyah upholds the works of art produced by the artists," he said.

Syukriyanto expects that the art exhibitions can provide inspirations and insights about the opening of art and culture through painting and calligraphy.
(Uu.A050/HAJM/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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