Why do you love me
So sweet and tenderly
I’ll do everything
to make you happy
— Why Do You Love Me? (Koes Plus, 1972)
When I was a kid, around the early ages of preschool to elementary school, Yok Koeswoyo’s melodious voice often filled the living room every weekend morning. Besides the song “Why Do You Love Me?”, the lyrics that still linger and loop like a tape in my memory are titled “Diana”, because it shares the same name as my classmate in junior high school, who one day—until graduation—refused to sit next to me anymore, for some reason. Diana, Diana, my dearest…
Hilmar Farid, quoting (and summarizing from) H.B. Jassin, said: if it takes 200 pages for Pujangga Baru to recite, Chairil Anwar can do it in two sentences; and in the pop music of his time, Koes Plus had a similar impact. Concise, compact, and piercingly ear-catching across generations. Koes Plus’ songs are still alive today. Because, I think, apart from successfully becoming a guide to nostalgia, they also have the explosive power to ignite and erupt a ripple of emotions that are both profound and universal.
“Okay, but [we must do it] right away. I may not be here tomorrow,” said Yok when director Linda Ochy asked for permission to film him, as quoted in a media article. Koesroyo: The Last Man Standing (2024) is Sari Koeswoyo’s love letter to her father. Sari wanted to immortalize Yok behind the stage lights and the cheers of his fans, who call themselves Jiwa Nusantara (The Nation’s Soul, lit.). The montage of Yok’s journey with Koes Plus is pieced together from photo archives, newspaper clippings, and video clips of them performing on stage. The camera moves retrospectively to construct and reflect on Yok’s relationship with—primarily but not limited to—music.
Music as his profession is intertwined with his daily deeds of gratitude. It becomes Yok’s way of cherishing memories, mourning, praying for the nation, and giving thanks to life and its creator. After the credits, my fingers were immediately triggered to open my music player app and look for Koes Plus songs. Like stepping into a time tunnel, I was thrown back to that time. My childhood, on the weekends, in the living room with the speakers blaring the song “Why Do You Love Me?”. Perhaps, this film is a portal we can walk through to immerse ourselves and celebrate the old days together. Yok’s legendary days, the last man standing. (Hesty N. Tyas) (Ed/Trans. Vanis)
Film Details
Koesroyo: The Last Man Standing
Linda Ochy | 61 min | 2024 | DKI Jakarta
In Competition for Indonesia Feature-Length Documentary
Festival Film Dokumenter 2025
