'A movie should have a moral\"<\/p>\n
The local film industry is enjoying a revival after the 1990s
\ndoldrums, with the number of releases increasing over the past
\nfive years. But what about the quality? In conjunction with
\nNational Film Day on March 30, The Jakarta Post asked residents
\ntheir opinion of local films.<\/p>\n
Ahmad, 27, is a sales executive at a cosmetics importer. He
\nlives with his parents in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
Even though a lot of Indonesian films are screened at
\ninternational festivals, I don't think they portray everyday life
\nhere.<\/p>\n
Take the hit film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? (What's up with
\nLove?). After watching the movie, some of my Japanese friends
\nactually thought that all Indonesian high schoolers drove their
\nown cars to school. They then half-jokingly said that if most
\nJakartans lived as depicted in the film, they would ask their
\ngovernment to stop sending aid.<\/p>\n
Other Indonesian films are artistic and have good camera
\nangles, but the stories are too obscure and abstract. A few of
\nthe movies try to use spectacular special effects, but they fail
\nmiserably because the producers don't have the money, technology
\nor human resources required.<\/p>\n
But forget about special effects and cinematography, because
\nto me the most important part of a movie is simply the storyline.
\nFor example, the Godfather, which film critics hailed as a
\nmasterpiece, did not have many special effects. Nor were famous
\nmovie stars of the time used. The powerful and riveting plot was
\nenough to make it an instant hit.<\/p>\n
Isma, 25, is a shop attendant in Ambassador Mall in South
\nJakarta. She lives with her parents in Tebet, also in South
\nJakarta:<\/p>\n
I rarely go to the cinema. Tickets cost too much for me, so I
\nhave to be choosy about what movie to see. I usually ask around
\nto see if a film is a waste of money or I read newspaper reviews.<\/p>\n
Indonesian movies are often screened, which is a good thing. I
\nlike to watch them. Although the storylines are still very simple
\nand don't differ much from local TV soaps, I'm proud that we
\nhaven't been left behind by neighboring countries.<\/p>\n
I'm not a film critic, but as a consumer I expect a movie to
\nhave a moral and not be just about a bunch of spoiled students
\nwho never seem to study.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-movie-should-have-a-moral-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }