Past Midnight (1971)

Interesting facts

• Filmed in: Indonesia

Lewat Tengah Malam is a 1971 Indonesian film and the first feature-length production by director Sjumandjaja. Starring Rachmat Hidayat, Rima Melati, and Soekarno M. Noer, it follows a thief named Lono who steals from the corrupt to give to the poor. The film, which may have been influenced by The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), was reportedly very tiring for the director, who briefly considered never directing again. The social realist elements led to Suharto's New Order government keeping Sjumandjaja under surveillance.

Production

Sjumandjaja, who had previously written several screenplays and spent six years studying film in the Soviet Union, made his feature directorial debut with Lewat Tengah Malam. He also wrote the film's story. Sjumandjaja was reportedly often ill on set owing to the shooting happening late at night; on one occasion his wife, the ballerina Farida Utoyo, was called from a vacation in Bali to deal with her husband's illness.

Lewat Tengah Malam featured Rachmat Hidayat, Rima Melati, Soekarno M. Noor, Ismed M. Noor, Rahayu Effendi, Ishaq Iskandar, Farida Arriany, Aedy Moward, and Sjumandjaja in a bit role. Chan Pattimura of Allied Film of Indonesia produced, with Akin on camera. Ami Priyono served as artistic director, while Trisutji Djuliati Djulham provided the music. Lono's backstory was explored through flashbacks.

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