The Golden Cane Warrior

The Golden Cane Warrior (Indonesian: Pendekar Tongkat Emas, Chinese: 黃金戰士 / 金杖戰士; pinyin: Jīn zhàng zhànshì/Huang jīn zhànshì; Jyutping: gam1 zoeng6 zin3 si6) is an Indonesian martial-arts film which deals with alternate history. It was released in 2014,[1] directed by Ifa Isfansyah, produced by Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza of Miles Films and stars Eva Celia, Nicholas Saputra, Reza Rahadian, Tara Basro, Christine Hakim, Slamet Rahardjo, and Prisia Nasution.

The Golden Cane Warrior
Theatrical release poster
Directed byIfa Isfansyah
Produced byMira Lesmana
Riri Riza
Written byJujur Prananto
Story by
Starring
Music byErwin Gutawa
Production
company
Miles Films
Distributed byMiles Films
Release date
  • 18 December 2014 (2014-12-18)
Running time
112 minutes
CountryIndonesia Hong Kong
LanguageIndonesian Cantonese
BudgetRp 25 billion (US$2 million)

The film revived the historical silat genre[2] which had been absent in previous years of Indonesian cinema. While it depicts martial arts and violence, the film also explores themes such as loyalty, integrity, ambition, and betrayal.

Plot

At the time of the Tang Dynasty, in the ancient Sichuan Province of China, Cempaka is a silat master known as the Golden Cane Warrior. She had four disciples: Biru, Gerhana, Dara and Angin; all of whom are children of enemies she defeated. In deteriorating health, Cempaka names Dara as her successor, but before teaching Dara her ultimate technique Cempaka is ambushed by Biru and Gerhana who want her powerful Golden Cane for themselves. Cempaka fights them to her death, allowing time for Dara and Angin to flee.

Biru and Gerhana pursue Dara and Angin, who fall from a cliff during a fight and are saved by a mysterious man called Elang. Dara and Angin decide to seek Cempaka's former partner, the White Dragon Warrior, who could teach Dara the ultimate technique of the golden cane. However, Elang says they are not yet ready. Tricked into thinking Dara and Angin are responsible for Cempaka's death, the Red Wing Warriors capture Angin. Dara trades the Golden Cane to Biru and Gerhana for Angin's release, but they break the deal and Angin is killed saving Dara.

Biru and Gerhana take over the Red Wing Warriors by poisoning their leader, in the same manner that they had poisoned Cempaka. Dara sneaks into their compound to avenge Angin and Cempaka, but Elang intervenes, believing she is not yet ready to fight them. Elang apologizes for not helping, being honour bound not to have anything to do with Cempaka. He is revealed to be the son of Cempaka and the White Dragon Warrior, who is now dead, leaving Elang the only person who knows the ultimate technique. The technique can only be performed by two warriors, and Dara realizes that Angin was intended to be trained alongside her. Breaking the promise to his father and the advice of the high council, Elang agrees to take Dara as his disciple. Meanwhile, Biru and Gerhana transform the Red Wing Warriors into the Golden Cane Warriors, and become lovers.

Some time later, Dara and Elang invade the compound and, denied a peaceful surrender of the Golden Cane, challenge Biru and Gerhana to fight. Dara pauses from fighting when Gerhana's daughter walks out, not wanting to traumatize her; Gerhana uses the incident to catch Dara off-guard but Dara kills her. Biru becomes enraged and blindly attacks but falls from a blow, allowing Dara to retrieve the Golden Cane. In its place, Biru attacks them with a tree trunk. However, Dara and Elang spin with the Golden Cane, performing its ultimate technique which kills Biru with a single blow.

Dara and Elang kiss and embrace, admitting their feelings. However, the next morning Elang departs and talks to the leader of the high council, his uncle, submitting to punishment for breaking his promise. Dara returns to Cempaka's old barn and teaches martial arts to Biru and Gerhana's daughter, continuing Cempaka's tradition.

Cast

The main cast are (with Chinese names):

Production

The film was directed by Ifa Isfansyah, who previously received critical acclaim for his direction of Sang Penari. Mira Lesmana and Riri Riza of Miles Films received credits for producing. The filming process took place in East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara[3] for three months.[4] Jujur Prananto, known for writing the commercially successful Ada Apa dengan Cinta? and Ungu Violet, is credited for his screenplay with the story developed by Mira Lesmana, Riri Riza, Ifa Isfansyah, and Eddie Cahyono.

Chitra Subiakto was credited as the designer;[3] while renowned musician, Erwin Gutawa, provided the music for the film. Indonesian-born French-naturalized singer Anggun provided vocals for the theme song "Fly My Eagle" which contains lyrics in both Indonesian and English.

Reza Rahadian, who played the role of Biru, went through seven months of rigorous physical and martial-arts training to prepare for the film.[4] It was rumored that Rahadian was highly paid to appear in the movie, prompting local media outlets to name him the most-expensive actor in Indonesia. However, Rahadian himself had personally disclosed that this was not the case.[5]

The film's estimated Rp 25 billion budget, or approximately US$2 million,[6] was considered a fantastic figure for an Indonesian production.

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References
  1. "Pendekar Tongkat Emas Siap Produksi di Bulan Maret 2014". 21 Cineplex.
  2. "PENDEKAR TONGKAT EMAS". wowkeren.com. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  3. "Geliat Sinema Laga Indonesia; Review Film Pendekar Tongkat Emas". Cerita EKA.
  4. "Reza Rahadian Tak Mudah Untuk Bisa Terlibat Di Pendekar - CINEMA 21".
  5. "Reza Rahardian Akan Naikkan Tarif Jika 'Pendekar Tongkat Emas' Meledak?". WowKeren.
  6. "Nicholas Saputra Cium Bibir Eva Celia di 'Pendekar Tongkat Emas'". WowKeren.
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