Rudy Habibie

The story spans the 1940s, beginning in the era of Japanese occupation, and continues into the early postwar years. It follows Rudy’s youth through the late 1940s and his studies in Aachen during the 1950s. The period is defined by wartime hardship, national awakening, and the beginnings of Indonesia’s push toward independence, setting the stage for his future leadership in technology.

The film unfolds across several Indonesian cities—Parepare, Gorontalo, and Makassar—before moving to Aachen, West Germany. It portrays how war and occupation force displacement and shape a young mind. The later chapters transfer Rudy to Aachen, highlighting the cross-cultural environment that spurs his engineering ambitions and international perspective.

🧭 National Identity

Independence is positioned as a shared goal that binds Rudy's family, classmates, and Indonesian expatriates abroad. Rudy's leadership in the Aachen student group shows how diaspora networks can become a tool for national progress. The film frames technical ambition as a path to national pride, not merely personal achievement. Conflicts with authorities and peers reveal how identity is negotiated under pressure.

🌍 Diaspora

Rudy's life in Aachen places him between home and abroad, where scholarship status and passport color influence perceptions. Expatriate life becomes a proving ground for resilience, memory, and adaptation. Relationships with locals and fellow students reveal complexities of belonging. The diaspora setting acts as a catalyst for cross-cultural collaboration and Indonesia’s influence on the world stage.

🔬 Technology

Engineering passion and problem-solving drive Rudy from a talented student to a future innovator. The film depicts early experiments and methodological thinking as acts of courage amid prejudice. A submarine concept symbolizes Indonesia's potential to build world-class technology. The emphasis on engineering shows how technical education can shape a nation’s destiny.

❤️ Love & Duty

Personal relationships intersect with political commitments, testing loyalties and priorities. Ilona's presence provides emotional depth while her eventual departure underscores the costs of pursuing a higher mission. Ayu's feelings illustrate how affection can influence public discourse and coalition-building. The film suggests that love and national service can coexist, but not without sacrifice.