Biran graduated from Taman Madya Bagian B, in Jakarta. He first began directing plays in the early 1950s, whilst at school, whilst he additionally wrote film reviews and produced literature works. However, after his graduation, he chose a career in film.
Film
From 1954-1956, Biran worked for the Indonesian National Film Company under Usmar Ismail. He began as a script recorder, and later became Assistant Director and member of the Writers’ Board. He rose to the position of Director of National Film Centre H. Usmar Ismail Jakarta, member of the National Film Council, and Chairman of the Film and Television Employees from 1987-1991. In 1955, Biran wrote his first screenplay from a short story by Sjumandjaja, titled Kerontjong Kemajoran, which was later turned into a film titled Saodah by Persari Film. From 1957 to 1960, he directed short films and documentaries. In 1967, Biran won the Citra Award for Best Director for his film Dibalik Tjahaja Gemerlapan. He also received an award for Best Script for his film Menjusuri Djedjak Berdarah, and for Ayahku, directed by Agus Elias. Biran ceased directing films in 1971, as a way to show his distaste for the film industry which was, at the time, flourishing with pornographic films. What is considered his most important contribution to the national film industry was in establishing Sinematek Indonesia in 1975. It was an institution that independently archived the national films. Biran led Sinematek Indonesia until 2001, and became synonymous with the institution.
Writing
Biran was an active journalist: he was the Chief Editor of Minggu Abadi, Purnama, and later as an Editor of Duta Masjarakat, Abad Muslimin, and Gelanggang. His literary works included Bung Besar, which was awarded second prize in a screenwriting competition by the Ministry of Education and Culture in 1958; Setengah Djam Mendjelang Maut ; Menjusuri Djedjak Berdarah ; Keajaiban di Pasar Senen ; and Oh, Film. The latter two story collections were bound and reprinted under the title Keajaiban di Pasar Senen in 1996. Biran launched a book on Teknik Menulis Skenario Film Cerita on 30 January 2007.
Biran received an award from Forum Film Bandung for his dedication and contribution in the film industry. He continues to write screenplays, and believes that film is a means to teach and raise the quality of human lives, particularly the lives of Indonesians. In 2010, he received fellowships from the Southeast Asia-Pacific Audiovisual Archive Association in Bangkok, Thailand.
