Masjid Istiqlal
(Independence) is one of the grandest mosques in Asia. Mosque altitude of 6,666
centimeters or almost 70 meters (taken from the number of verses of the Koran)
was the most visited Muslims in Jakarta. Each Friday prayer, not less than
2,000 to 2,500 worshipers at this mosque. While the Eid prayer and Eid al-Adha
number exploded to reach 250-300 thousand worshipers.
With the construction
of the Istiqlal collapsed Dutch forts located in the Wilhelmina Park and built
in honor of Queen Wilhelmina, who was born on August 31, 1898. She is the
grandmother of Queen Beatrix. Betawi people used to call it 'building land' because,
according to the story, here there is a fort or tunnel underground (bunker)
which is said to get to the fortress of the Company at the Fish Market.
In front of the
Istiqlal there floodgates to control the channel of Molenvliet (Harmony) is
deflected towards Noordwijk (Jl Juanda), Risjwijk (Jl Veteran), continues into
New Markets and Gunung Sahari. In the Dutch period, called sluisburg sluice,
which is also the name of the street at that time. Only after independence was
changed to Jalan Pintu Air. Here is the first in the elite area was inhabited
by the Dutch. Then, in the 1920s, also built Menteng for Dutch citizens who
increasingly came to Batavia.
In the past, there is a
cinema in front of Istiqlal Capitol Theatre, which has now been converted into
shops. Capitol just play the first cinema films West (United States). In the
early 1950s, when the Usmar Ismail founded the Perfini (1950) and a year later
in one after another by Jamaladin Malik (Persari), Indonesian films start
popping up a lot. In the mid-1950s Usmar Ismail (Perfini) makes films crisis.
Usmar was trying to get the film in theaters production Capitol. At that time,
the right to decide whether a movie is playing at the Capitol Crisis deserve,
is a Western named Wetkin.
As soon as the manager
of the Capitol is not convinced the Indonesian movie, to not to look at first,
he also boasted by issuing insulting words which stated, "The Indonesian
film was shown at the Capitol inappropriate". Unlike Malik Jamaladin
explosive, Usmar Ismail sabarpun can not accept this humiliation. "So he
punched the leadership of the Capitol".
In order not to cause
bigger problems and to relieve tension, then the general manager of MGM (Metro
Goldwyn Mayer) to Indonesia, Alexander Wenas, offered to let the film Crisis
Usmar Ismail played at Metropole cinema (now Megaria). Cinema which contains
1,500 spectators, since the 1950s stands just screening films MGM output when
playing a movie 'crisis' was a huge success. For 35 days this movie in theaters
Metropole.
Due to success of the
film Crisis, Capitol cinema was changing attitudes and opening up to the
Indonesian film. Then go Djamaludin Malik (Persari) with films promise. Then
re-Usmar play movies Three Dara (Mieke Widjaya, Indriati Isaac and Chitra Dewi)
were also successful.
On the left side of the
Capitol cinema on the banks of the river are partially elevated there is a
fancy restaurant every night became the place to be dancing. Restaurant
overlooking the Capitol at the time of the Ciliwung river water is still clear
decorated with light colors. The steak is very famous because of bistiknya
Netherlands. This restaurant provided drinks forbidden that makes the drinker
becomes intoxicated drunk.
Because of its location
opposite the Istiqlal Mosque which was built at that time, the Muslims became
angry. Without pardon, theaters and restaurants burnt Capitol. Not just once,
but three times the mass of burning. Then, before disbanding, the theater
changed its name Ceno. Because Jl Pintu Air is located in the elite, on the
left side there is a nightclub Istiqlal Mosque Black Cut. But after
independence, entertainment venues located in the Citadel (now Jl Veteran I)
was closed.
On the right side of
the Capitol, bersebrangan in the same way, there is a cinema Astoria (later
became Knight). Though smaller than the Capitol, but Astoria including a cinema
class. In this theater, in the mid-1950s, the Indian film ever screened Dil E
Nadaan, the great success. Played for 55 days consecutively. Until Usmar once
commented, "Dil amount, quite haphazard." This film beat movie Rock
Round The Clock Bill Haeliy and Rock and Roll Elvis Presley.
One of the Hollywood
star who became the idol of young people when it is James Dean. His first film,
Rebel without a Cause, a huge success. James Dean wearing a red leather jacket.
So crowded-insured the youth wearing a red jacket. Unfortunately, this movie
stars dying young from traffic accidents while starring in the movie Giant with
Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.
At that time there was
a tendency of young people imitate the style of the actors and actresses of
Hollywood. Like the hair tuft Tony Curtis, Rock Hudson or macho. By the time
the movie is playing Sabrina, the girls emulate Audrey Hepburn haircut hair cut
short like a man.
REPUBLIKA - Sunday,
December 16, 2007
Sumber : http://alwishahab.wordpress.com/
