Ami Priyono

Ami Priyono was a prominent film director and actor in Indonesia. He was born in Batavia (now Jakarta) on 23 October 1939, the only child of Priyono, a politician and educator who later became Minister of Education and Culture, and his wife Iwanah. He studied cinema at the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. He joined the National Film Corporation (Perfini) in 1968 as an artistic director and made his directorial debut with Dewi in 1974. He directed twelve films with Perfini, mostly in the genre of drama and comedy, until he left the company in 1964. He was known for his realistic and traditionalist style, as well as his collaboration with prominent actors and actresses. Some of his notable films include Embun (Dew, 1952), Lewat Djam Malam (After the Curfew, 1954), Tiga Dara (Three Maidens, 1956), and Asrama Dara (Girls' Dormitory, 1958). He won three Citra Awards for his artistic direction and directing. After leaving Perfini, he returned to his passion for theatre and taught cinematography at various institutions. He also directed films independently, but with less frequency and success. His last film was Jodoh Boleh Diatur (Love can be Arranged, 1988). He died of a heart attack in Jakarta on 6 June 2001. He left behind several award-winning films that are considered classics of Indonesian cinema.