Christine Hakim
Acting · Production
Born December 25, 1956, Kuala Tungkal, Jambi
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.
Filmography
- 2026Four Seasons in Java — Mak Ira
- 2026Ibuku — Sumiati
- 2026Semua Akan Baik-Baik Saja — Ibu Wida
- 2026The Sea Speaks His Name — Mrs. Wibisana / Laut's Mother
- 2025On Your Lap — Maya
- 2025Sukma — Sri, Executive Producer
- Ellyas Pical — Mama Ana
- 2024Grave Torture — Nani Ismaya
- 2024If Mom Is Gone Tomorrow — Rahmi
- 2024Smong — Producer
- 2023Sara — Muryem
- The Last of Us — Dr. Ratna Pertiwi
- 2022Just Mom — Siti
- 2022Sri Asih — Eyang Mariani
- 2021A Perfect Fit — Bu Hadra
- 2021Tris
- 2021Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash — Mak Jerot
- 2020Sepenggal Puisi
- Sepenggal Puisi
- Temporarily, Eternally — Mother
- 2019Bumi Itu Bulat — Executive Producer
- 2019Impetigore — Misni
- 2019Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue — Mom
- 2018Dancing in the Rain — Eyang Uti
- 2018Sekar — Sekar's Mother
- 2018Sultan Agung — Gusti Ratu Banowati
- 2018The Gift — Bu Suud
- 2017Boven Digoel — Mama John Manangsang
- 2017Kartini: Princess of Java — Yu Ngasirah (Kartini's Mother)
- 2016Ibu Maafkan Aku — Hartini
- 2015The Hijra — Mbok Tambeng, Producer
- 2014Retak Gading — Bunda (Ibu Gading)
- 2014The Golden Cane Warrior — Cempaka
- 2013The Clerics — Masrurah/Nyai Kapu
- 2012Rayya, Cahaya Di Atas Cahaya — Bude Arya
- 2010Eat Pray Love — Wayan
- 2009Jamila and the President — Ria
- 2009Merantau — Wulan
- 2008In The Name of Love — Citra Mustafa
- 2007Anak-anak Borobudur — Gubernur Jawa Tengah
- 2005Serambi — Producer
- 2004Princess of Mount Ledang — Bayan
- 2001Whispering Sands — Berlian, Producer
- 1998Leaf on a Pillow — Asih, Producer
- 1997Tropic of Emerald — Suti
- 1996Sleeping Man — Tia
- 1988Irisan-irisan Hati — Wati
- 1988Tjoet Nja' Dhien — Tjoet Nja' Dhien
- 1985Bila Saatnya Tiba
- 1984Ponirah Is Convicted — Trindil
- 1984Sharp Gravel — Retno
- 1983Behind the Mosquito Net — Nurlela
- 1982As White as the Heart, as Red as the Lips — Bungalan
- 1979Doctor Siti Pertiwi Returns to the Village — Dr. Siti Pertiwi
- 1978The Beggar and The Rickshaw Driver
- 1977Badai Pasti Berlalu — Siska
- 1977Commercial Spirits on Campus
- 1976Impian Perawan (Melati) — Melati
- 1976Something Beautiful
- 1974Atheis — Rukmini
- 1974Bandung Lautan Api — Nani
- 1974Bridegroom's Bed
- 1974Kawin Lari — Anna
- 1973First Love — Ade
- Ibu: Mother of the Lost
- Langit 2 Warna — Ibu Aishah Khalida
- Love Me As I Am — Producer
- Runaway — Minah
- The Mortician — Producer