Chaerul Umam

Chaerul Umam (4 April 1943 – 3 October 2013) was an Indonesian film director best known for his Islamic films. Born in Tegal, Umam became active in the theatre while studying in Yogyakarta. After moving to Jakarta, he became involved in cinema, making his feature film debut in 1973 and directing his first film, Tiga Sekawan (Three Friends), in 1973.

Umam's first religious film, Al Kautsar (1977), was a commercial success, while his Titian Serambut Dibelah Tujuh (The Narrow Bridge, 1982) earned him his first nomination for the Citra Award for Best Director. His Kejarlah Daku Kau Kutangkap (Chase Me, I'll Catch You) was the best-selling Indonesian film of 1986, while Ramadhan dan Ramona (Ramadhan and Ramona) won five Citra Awards—including for Best Director. Dedicating himself to television after the failure of Fatahillah (1997), Umam returned to cinema with the commercially successful Ketika Cinta Bertasbih duology in 2009.