Indonesian actor and filmmaker Dian Sastrowardoyo, known for her role in Netflix’s Cigarette Girl, has been paving the way for women in rural Indonesia to access higher education. Inspired by Raden Adjeng Kartini, she began offering undergraduate scholarships in 2015, which have since helped more than 30 women further their studies. Dian also collaborates with a local nonprofit to provide coding lessons for Indonesian women, emphasizing the importance of investing in women’s education as it benefits future generations.
In her role as Dasiyah in Cigarette Girl, Dian portrays a woman in the clove cigarette industry, battling a patriarchal society. The show reached the Top 10 list for non-English language content on Netflix, highlighting important issues faced by women in male-dominated industries. Despite her social nature, Dian altered her personality to portray Dasiyah, showcasing her dedication to her craft.
Dian, who holds a degree in philosophy and a master’s in management, believes that beauty standards are fluid and diverse. She is concerned about toxic masculinity and its impact on young people, especially with the rise of social media and platforms like TikTok. Looking towards the future, Dian hopes to continue producing quality projects in Indonesia’s film industry and encourages women to take on more leading roles as storytellers, writers, and filmmakers. Her upcoming projects include films focused on the relationship between mothers and their children, as she aims to contribute to the growth and development of Indonesian cinema.
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