Misbach Yusa Biran (11 September 1933 – 11 April 2012) was an Indonesian writer, director and columnist who pioneered the Indonesian film archives.
Personal Life
Biran was born in Rangkasbitung, in the Lebak Regency, to a Minangkabau father and a Bantenese mother. In 1969, he married actress Nani Widjaja. They had six children, two of whom (Cahya Kamila and Sukma Ayu) also went into the film industry.
Career
Early Life
Biran graduated from Taman Madya Bagian B, in Jakarta. He first began directing plays in the early 1950s, whilst at school, whilst he additionally wrote film reviews, and produced literature works. However, after his graduation, he chose a career in film.
Film
From 1954-1956, Biran worked for the Indonesian National Film Company (PERFINI) under Usmar Ismail. He began as a script recorder, and later became Assistant Director and member of the Writers’ Board. He rose to the position of Director of National Film Centre H. Usmar Ismail Jakarta, member of the National Film Council, and Chairman of the Film and Television Employees from (1987-1991).
Yusa is a Cuban singer and songwriter, born in the Buena Vista district of Havana, Cuba. Her music is recognised worldwide : in 2003, she was nominated at the prestigious BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards in two categories (Best Newcomer and Best of the Americas.)
Biography
Early life and education
Born in the Buena Vista district and brought up in the modern Alamar’s housing community of east Havana, Yusa’s childhood was cradled by music. She started studying guitar at the age of 6, at the Alejandro García Caturla elementary school. Then, attending the Amadeo Roldán Music Conservatory, she chose to concentrate on a particular type of Cuban guitar called the tres and started performing in Havana’s bars and clubs.
Career
Yusa is a multi-instrumentalist who is perfectly at ease playing guitar, bass, as well as keyboard or percussion instruments. Her music is defined as a young and thoroughly modern musical style echoing with funk, jazz, rap, and soul, but keeping its connections to its deep African and Caribbean heritage. Yusa is often considered by the field of music as a poet, singing bittersweet songs, and compared with great singers as Tracy Chapman.