The Indonesian dub of Disney-Pixar's Finding Dory , titled Mencari Dory
, marked a significant milestone as one of the few Disney-Pixar films to receive a full Indonesian theatrical dubbing. Released in Indonesian cinemas on June 16, 2016, the project was part of a major localization effort by The Walt Disney Company Indonesia.
The Indonesian-dubbed version of Finding Dory "Mencari Dory,"
was released in June 2016 as part of a major Disney Indonesia localization feature. It was notable for featuring high-profile celebrities alongside professional voice actors to encourage children to love the Indonesian language. Key Indonesian Dubbing Cast
The local version featured a mix of famous entertainers for new characters and professional dubbers for returning leads: Raffi Ahmad
(Bailey): The actor and presenter voiced the beluga whale. He noted that dubbing required more patience than acting, often needing 10–15 takes to match the character's tone and timing.
(Destiny): The singer and socialite provided the voice for the near-sighted whale shark. She found the experience unique and relied heavily on the director to capture the character's quirky emotions. Siska Tola
(Dory): A professional voice actress who took on the title role. Sudiarto Tato
(Marlin): A veteran dubber known for voicing Marlin since the original Finding Nemo Rafid Althaf Sya’ban (Nemo): Voiced the young clownfish. Maria Oentoe
: The iconic Indonesian "cinema voice" made a cameo as herself, providing the intercom voice for the Marine Life Institute. Jakarta Globe Feature Highlights Theatrical Release
: Finding Dory was one of only three Disney-Pixar films to receive a full Indonesian-dubbed theatrical run in Indonesia, following The Good Dinosaur
: Disney held a high-profile press conference and premiere in Jakarta in June 2016 to promote the local version. finding dory dubbing indonesia
: While marketing with celebrities was extensive, reports suggest the theatrical reception for the dubbed version was mixed, leading subsequent Disney releases to primarily offer Indonesian dubs via VOD (Video on Demand) platforms like Disney+ Hotstar rather than cinemas. The Jakarta Post of Finding Dory? Syahrini, Raffi Ahmad Lend Voices to Pixar's 'Finding Dory'
The journey to create the Indonesian dubbed version of Finding Dory Mencari Dory
, was a major milestone for Disney Indonesia aimed at making local children love their national language. Released in theaters on June 16, 2016, it was the third Disney-Pixar film to receive a theatrical Indonesian dub, following The Good Dinosaur The Stars of the Dub
Disney Indonesia broke tradition by casting high-profile celebrities alongside professional voice actors to bring the Marine Life Institute characters to life: Raffi Ahmad
: The energetic presenter voiced the beluga whale. Raffi noted that dubbing was harder than live acting because he had to match Bailey's specific tone and emotions. He sometimes required 15 takes for a single line. as Destiny
: The famous singer voiced the near-sighted whale shark. She was chosen for her "unique" personality, with producers claiming there is no one else like her in Indonesia. Professional Cast
: While celebrities headlined, the core roles were filled by veteran Indonesian voice actors: Siska Tola as the adult Dory. Sudiarto Tato as Marlin. Rafid Althaf Syaban Maria Oentoe
, the iconic voice of Indonesian cinema announcements, voiced the Marine Life Institute intercom. Behind the Mic
The production focused on preserving the heart of the original while adding local flavor. Raffi Ahmad
expressed that his motivation was to ensure Indonesian children prioritized their mother tongue even while learning English
Despite a massive marketing push using these stars, the theatrical reception for dubbed versions in Indonesia was mixed. While Mencari Dory The Indonesian dub of Disney-Pixar's Finding Dory ,
successfully played in theaters alongside the English version, later Disney-Pixar releases moved away from theatrical dubs, opting instead for Video on Demand (VOD) platforms. for other characters or the theatrical performance of the film in Indonesia? Syahrini, Raffi Ahmad Lend Voices to Pixar's 'Finding Dory'
Title: Preserving the Ocean’s Heart: An Analysis of the Indonesian Dubbing of Finding Dory
Introduction The global phenomenon of Pixar Animation Studios extends far beyond the borders of the United States, largely due to the studio’s commitment to localization. While subtitles offer a direct translation of dialogue, dubbing requires a more intricate process of cultural adaptation and casting to ensure the emotional core of a film remains intact. The Indonesian dubbing of the 2016 film Finding Dory (titled Finding Dory: Melacak Si Ikan Biru) serves as a prime example of this delicate art. By blending veteran voice actors with specific casting choices that honor the film’s predecessor, the Indonesian version successfully captures the sequel’s themes of perseverance, disability, and family, making the story accessible to a new generation of Indonesian audiences.
The Legacy of Casting: A Nostalgic Bridge One of the most critical aspects of dubbing a sequel is maintaining continuity. Finding Dory arrived thirteen years after the original Finding Nemo. In Indonesia, the 2003 film became a beloved classic, thanks in large part to the iconic voice performance of Iszur Muchtar as Marlin, the neurotic clownfish father. The decision by Disney Indonesia to bring back Iszur Muchtar to reprise his role as Marlin was a masterstroke in maintaining the film’s emotional weight.
For Indonesian audiences, Muchtar’s voice is synonymous with the character. His return provided a sense of nostalgia and legitimacy to the sequel. It allowed the dynamic between Marlin and Dory to feel genuine; the exasperation in Muchtar’s voice acting perfectly complemented the scatterbrained nature of Dory, grounding the film in the familiar chemistry established over a decade prior.
The Challenge of Characterization: Casting Dory and Hank The success of the film, however, hinged on the casting of the protagonist, Dory. In the original English version, Ellen DeGeneres infuses Dory with a unique blend of innocence, optimism, and heartbreak. The Indonesian version saw the introduction of Indonesian rock legend Armand Maulana in the role of Dory. While a male actor voicing a female character is not uncommon in Indonesian dubbing traditions (particularly in anime), the choice was pivotal.
Maulana’s performance did not attempt to mimic DeGeneres exactly but rather captured the spirit of the character. He utilized a higher, softer register than his usual singing voice, effectively conveying Dory’s childlike wonder and her heartbreaking confusion. His interpretation brought a distinct Indonesian flavor to the character—one that felt less like a direct imitation and more like a standalone performance that local audiences could embrace.
Furthermore, the supporting cast was pivotal in elevating the film’s comedy. The casting of Tora Sudiro as Hank, the curmudgeonly octopus, was a stroke of genius. Sudiro, known for his comedic timing in Indonesian cinema, matched the dry wit of Ed O'Neill’s original performance. His interactions with Maulana’s Dory provided some of the film's funniest moments, proving that the comedic timing translated effectively across languages.
Translation and Cultural Nuance Beyond casting, the script translation is the backbone of any dubbing project. The Indonesian version faced the challenge of translating puns, marine biology terminology, and rapid-fire dialogue into Bahasa Indonesia while matching the lip-sync (lip-flap) of the animated characters.
The translators excelled at simplifying complex dialogue for a younger audience without diluting the narrative. The film’s central theme—Dory’s struggle with short-term memory loss—was handled with sensitivity. The phrase "I suffer from short-term memory loss" was translated into natural, conversational Indonesian, often using repeated sentence structures to emphasize Dory’s cyclical thought patterns.
However, the localization also faced the inevitable challenge of wordplay. Pixar films often rely on visual gags and linguistic puns that do not translate literally. The Indonesian script navigated this by substituting English-specific jokes with Indonesian idioms or contextual humor that fit the situation. While some nuances of the English script were inevitably lost, the emotional beats—particularly the poignant flashbacks of Dory’s parents teaching her how to navigate the world—retained their heartbreaking impact. The language used was tender and protective, resonating deeply with Indonesian cultural values regarding parental guidance and sacrifice. Title: Preserving the Ocean’s Heart: An Analysis of
Accessibility and Audience Reach The primary purpose of the Finding Dory Indonesian dub was to broaden the film’s reach. While adult audiences in metropolitan areas often prefer subtitles, dubbing is essential for children and rural audiences who may not yet be proficient in English. By providing a high-quality dub, the film became an inclusive experience.
The voice acting helped bridge the gap between the audience and the characters. When Dory speaks in Bahasa Indonesia, her struggles with disability and her journey toward self-acceptance become immediately relatable to an Indonesian child. It transforms the film from a foreign spectacle into a local story, reinforcing the universal message that differences should be celebrated and that one’s limitations do not define one’s potential.
Conclusion The Indonesian dubbing of Finding Dory stands as a testament to the importance of high-quality localization in global cinema. It was not merely a technical exercise in translation but a creative endeavor that respected the source material while infusing it with local talent. Through the nostalgic return of Iszur Muchtar and the fresh, spirited performances by Armand Maulana and Tora Sudiro, the film maintained its emotional depth and comedic timing. Ultimately, the Indonesian version succeeded in its mission: it ensured that Dory’s journey home was one that Indonesian audiences of all ages could understand, enjoy, and cherish.
Here is relevant content regarding the Indonesian dubbing of Finding Dory.
Mencari versi streaming atau DVD dubbing Indonesia bisa sedikit tricky karena ketersediaannya bergantung pada lisensi regional. Berikut tempat-tempat yang perlu Anda cek:
Singer-songwriter and Harvard graduate Maudy Ayunda voiced the near-sighted whale shark, Destiny. Her soft, gentle, and slightly confused voice gave Destiny a sweetness that rivaled the original. Maudy’s singing ability also shone through during the more melodic moments of the film.
Salah satu daya tarik utama dubbing Indonesia adalah kualitas penerjemahan dan pengisi suaranya. Meskipun daftar pemeran lengkap dalam versi Indonesia tidak selalu dipublikasikan secara luas seperti versi aslinya, karakter-karakter ikonik berikut pasti memiliki suara yang khas dalam Bahasa Indonesia:
Penerjemahan dialog biasanya dilakukan oleh PT. Disney Character Voices International, Inc., yang memastikan lelucon dan emosi tetap terjaga meskipun dialihbahasakan.
Note: Exact cast credits vary by release (theatrical vs. home video) and can be confirmed on the Indonesian edition of the film packaging or local film databases.
While the reception was overwhelmingly positive, some hardcore animation fans raised a valid point. They argued that using celebrities like Kora Rich and Momonon, rather than trained pengisi suara (voice actors), occasionally led to stiff line delivery. In the original English version, Ellen DeGeneres is a comedian who acts like a fish. In the Indonesian version, Kora Rich sometimes sounded like a TV host reading lines.
However, the majority of the Indonesian public disagreed. They argued that the personality of the celebrity overshadowed the need for technical vocal range. When Momonon grumbles, you don't hear a cartoon octopus—you hear Momonon, and that is exactly what Indonesian audiences paid for.
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