El Manik


Emmanuel Ginting Manik, better known as El Manik, is an Indonesian actor.

Biography

El Manik was born on 19 November 1949 in Bohorok, North Sumatra to an ethnic Batak Karo teacher. He graduated from Bohorok State Elementary School in 1962, then Taman Siswa Middle School in 1965 and Teachers' College in 1969, both in Binjai. After graduation, he moved to Surabaya and opened a photo studio.
After passing a test to get into the Film and Music Institute of Jakarta, El Manik sold his equipment and moved to Jakarta. However, after discovering that he had been conned he lived as a vagrant behind the Ismail Marzuki Cultural Centre. In 1973, he received a bit part in Mereka Kembali, directed by Nawi Ismail; he received Rp.5,000 for his role.
After his work in Mereka Kembali, El Manik received more supporting roles, including as an antagonist in Teguh Karya's 1973 film Cinta Pertama and in Ami Priyono's film Kampus Biru. His first leading role was in Ami's 1979 film Jakarta Jakarta; that same year he played a Dutch officer in Karya's war epic November 1828. During this period, he also worked as a reporter for Aktuil.
This was followed by a role in 1983's Titian Serambut Dibelah Tujuh and a leading role in Sjumandjaja's 1984 film Budak Nafsu. However, after the Indonesian cinema industry collapsed in 1992 he switched to playing in soap operas.
El Manik directed Pacar Dunia Akhirat in 1996; he later switched to directing soap operas, including 1998's Panggung Sandiwara and Titipan Illahi.
After the revival of Indonesian cinema in 2002, El Manik became more active in the film industry. He played in Beth, Biarkan Bintang Menari, and, in 2006, in Nia Dinata's film Berbagi Suami.

Accolades

El Manik has won numerous Citra Awards from the Indonesian Film Festival. His first was Best Supporting Actor in 1979 for his role in November 1828, followed by Best Leading Actor in 1984 for his role in Budak Nafsu, and two more awards for Best Supporting Actor, one for 1985's Carok and one for 2006's Berbagi Suami.

Filmography