Laura Basuki (born 9 January 1988) is an Indonesian model and actress of mixed Javanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese descent.

Early life

Basuki was born in Berlin on 9 January 1988 to an Indonesian-Chinese dad and a Vietnamese mom. As a teenager, she intended to be a doctor. However, her mother pressured her into becoming a model. The 1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in) tall Basuki, who weighed 49 kilograms (108 lb), enrolled at the OQ Modeling School in 2005.

Career

Her first modelling job was at a bridal pageant showing the works of Bijan Wanaatmadja. This was followed by spots marketing products including Coca-Cola and Vaseline. As the modelling work kept her too busy to study medicine, Basuki began studying economics.

In 2008, Basuki was cast in her first role, Gara-Gara Bola (Because of Football), after the producer Nia Dinata saw Basuki's face in a magazine. She played the role of a bookie's wife after a month of coaching. Gara-Gara Bola garnered her two awards at the 2009 Indonesian Movie Awards.

Two years later, Basuki played a Catholic woman in love with a Muslim man in Tiga Hati, Dua Dunia, Satu Cinta (Three Hearts, Two Worlds, One Love), which was a critical success. For her work, Basuki received a Citra Award for Best Actress at the 2010 Indonesian Film Festival. Also in 2010, Basuki served as an emcee hosting a quiz show for the MNC Group; the programme, broadcast during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, was about football.

Basuki married businessman Leo Sanjaya in 2011. In early 2012, she played a journalist in Agus Kuntz' film Republik Twitter (The Twitter Republic). Basuki's fourth film, Di Timur Matahari (East of the Sun), debuted on 12 June 2012. A children's movie directed by Ari Sihasale, it followed Basuki's character Vina as she moved to Papua with her Papuan husband. For the shooting, she spent over a month in the mountainous inner regions of the island, bathing only weekly.

In 2013 she was in a film entitled Madre, and followed by a role in 2015's film Love and Faith. Later, she starred as badminton legend Susi Susanti in 2019's biopic film Susi Susanti: Love All. For her portrayal of Susanti, Basuki won the Citra Award for Best Actress in 2020.

In 2022, Basuki starred in Kamila Andini's Before, Now & Then, a beguiling drama set in 1960s Indonesia. The film had its international premiere at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival. At the festival, Basuki was honored with Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
2008Gara-gara BolaLaura
20103 Hati Dua Dunia, Satu CintaDelia
2012Republik TwitterHanum
2012Di Timur MatahariVina
2013MadreMeilan Tanuwidjaja
2014Haji BackpackerSuchun
2015Love and FaithLim Kwee Ing
2018Terbang: Menembus LangitCandra Dewi
2018Doyok Otoy Ali Oncom: Cari JodohAyu
2018The ReturningNatalie
2019Susi Susanti: Love AllSusi Susanti
2022Before, Now & ThenIno
2022Cek Toko Sebelah 2Natalie
2023Innocent VengeanceAmanda
2023Sleep CallDina
202324 Hours with GasparKik
2023Kapan Hamil?Nadya
2024Till Death Do Us PartRenata
2024Heartbreak MotelAva Alessandra
2024YohannaYohanna

Web series

YearTitleRoleProductionNetwork
2018SunshineMatahariVIU IndonesiaViu

FTV

YearTitleRoleReference
2011Antara Aku dan BoboDindi
2011Mendadak NingratPutri
2012Delman Cinta di Kota KembangMelati
2012Cinta Wedang RondeCinta
201323 Hari Cinta MatematikaRania
2016Love is CrazyKamelia

Commercial

  • Lays
  • Hadalabo
  • Mandiri

Music video appearances

Song titleSinger
"Hapus Aku"Nidji
"Seandainya"The Titans[id]
"Kau"T-Five
"Detik Terakhir"Lyla[id]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2010Indonesian Film FestivalCitra Award for Best Leading Actress3 Hati Dua Dunia, Satu CintaWon
2013Indonesian Film FestivalCitra Award for Best Leading ActressMadreNominated
2014Maya AwardBest Actress in a Supporting RoleHaji BackpackerNominated
2018Maya AwardBest Actress in a Supporting RoleTerbang: Menembus LangitNominated
2019Maya AwardBest Actress in a Leading RoleSusi Susanti: Love AllNominated
2020Indonesian Film FestivalCitra Award for Best Leading ActressSusi Susanti: Love AllWon
202272nd Berlin International Film FestivalSilver Bear for Best Supporting PerformanceBefore, Now & ThenWon
2023Marie Claire Asia Star AwardsAsia Wide Award24 Hours with GasparWon

Sources

External links