Christine Hakim

Herlina Christine Natalia Hakim (born December 25, 1956, in Kuala Tungkal, Jambi) is an Indonesian actress, film producer, and activist. Christine is of mixed ancestry, with family roots from Aceh, Minang, Java, and the Middle East.

Christine Hakim was born in Jambi and grew up in Yogyakarta, initially aspiring to become an architect or psychologist. Her career path changed when she was discovered by director Teguh Karya for his 1973 film Cinta Pertama (First Love). Her role in the film earned her the Citra Award for Best Leading Actress and convinced her to pursue a career in acting. Since then, she has starred in numerous films, including Badai Pasti Berlalu (The Storm Will Surely Pass) in 1977 and Tjoet Nja’ Dhien in 1988. She also had a minor role in the 2010 Hollywood film Eat Pray Love. As of 2018, she had won eight Citra Awards, received lifetime achievement awards from the Indonesian Film Festival, the Indonesian Movie Actors Awards, and the Cinemanila International Film Festival, and served as a jury member at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

Christine expanded her career into film production in 1998, producing Daun di Atas Bantal (Leaf on a Pillow) and Pasir Berbisik (Whispering Sands). She later ventured into documentary filmmaking and became an advocate for education and autism awareness. Since 2008, she has served as Indonesia’s Ambassador to UNESCO, focusing on education issues.

Christine initially had no intention of becoming an actress. She dreamed of becoming an architect or psychologist. However, her fate changed when Teguh Karya offered her a role in Cinta Pertama. He approached her after seeing her modeling photos in a magazine, which she had done merely to help a friend. Unable to refuse Karya’s warm and friendly demeanor, Christine described how he “reeled her in slowly, like a fisherman.” Despite initially considering leaving acting after completing the shoot, her work in Cinta Pertama earned her a Citra Award for Best Leading Actress, convincing her to continue acting.

Teguh Karya later revealed that he had argued with the film’s producer over casting Christine. The producer was concerned that she was “too skinny and lacked a figure,” to which Karya retorted, “Are we selling a movie or selling breasts?”

The following year, Christine starred in another Teguh Karya-directed film, Kawin Lari (Elopement). The experience gave her a deeper understanding of acting, allowing her to “see life from a different perspective through character study.” In 1976, she starred in Sesuatu yang Indah (Something Beautiful), directed by Wim Umboh, marking the first film in which Christine used her own voice. In previous films, her voice had been dubbed by Titi Qadarsih as her natural voice was considered “too deep.” In 1977, she appeared in Badai Pasti Berlalu, featured on the film’s poster and soundtrack album cover.

Christine showcased 14 Indonesian films at the Nantes Three Continents Festival in November 1983, appearing in half of them. Two years later, she attended the Cannes Film Festival as an observer, establishing a working relationship with Pierre Risient, who later helped bring her films to Cannes.