Digital technology endangers local film<\/p>\n
Joko E.H. Anwar, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Expect more poorly made movies this year as many local filmmakers
\ndump their cheap, shot-on-video efforts onto local theatergoers.<\/p>\n
Despite the hype that digital video can be an equally viable
\nalternative for shooting movies as 35-millimeter film, which has
\nbecome the worldwide standard, audiences have yet to be satisfied
\nwith the result.<\/p>\n
But it's cheap, only about one fifth of the total cost of
\nmovies shot on 35 millimeter.<\/p>\n
As the medium has become the favorite choice to cutting costs,
\nmore so-called filmmakers think they can just grab a digital
\nvideo camera and start making movies -- often, unfortunately, at
\nthe expense of audiences.<\/p>\n
Late last year, we witnessed the poorly made horror entries
\nTitik Hitam (The Black Spot) and Kafir (The Unbeliever a.k.a
\nSatanic).<\/p>\n
The moviemakers may argue that both entries put in a decent
\nperformance at the box office, but it would not be that easy for
\nthem to find a viewer who loved the movies as many people watched
\nthe flicks out of curiosity.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, established filmmakers agree that the year 2003
\nwill be crucial for the newly-revived and still fragile local
\nfilm industry.<\/p>\n
While the medium seems to be the best option for local
\nfilmmakers to continue making movies during this time of economic
\nhardship, the medium could also put the newly-reborn industry
\ninto self-destruction mode.<\/p>\n
\"If the audiences keep being let down by such movies, they
\nwill stop coming to theaters to see local films. And thus the
\nindustry will be die a second death,\" cinematographer\/director
\nGerman G. Mintapradja told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
German also said that there were old-time players who already
\nplanned to capitalize on the trend by cheaply producing shot-on-
\nvideo movies and showing them in theaters.<\/p>\n
Soon, another poorly made horror flick titled Tabir (Screen)
\nwill hit local theaters.<\/p>\n
Some filmmakers -- who refused to be named but claimed to
\nbeing concerned about the survival of the local film industry --
\nhave already condemned the movie.<\/p>\n
Let's just hope that embarrassingly bad horror titled Satu
\nNyawa Dalam Denting Lonceng Kecil (One Soul in the Ring of a
\nSmall Bell), which looks like it was made by a 12-year-old, will
\ncontinue to be shelved by its producers.<\/p>\n
Other local movies, which were actually well-produced but
\ncould have been better had they had been shot on film, include
\nthe recent romantic comedy Andai Ia Tahu (If He Only Knew).<\/p>\n
Most of the time in other countries, a filmmaker's choice of
\nmovie medium depends on what look he wants his movie to have.<\/p>\n
Each medium will give a different look and feel to a movie and
\nmany real filmmakers have experimented with various media to
\ncreate unique movies.<\/p>\n
Brad Anderson used high definition digital video to give a
\ndifferent look and feel to psychological horror movie Session 9
\nin 2001.<\/p>\n
The same medium was also used by George Lucas in Star Wars
\nEpisode II: Attack of the Clones.<\/p>\n
\"However, the digital medium in this country is still far from
\nbeing used for exploratory purposes,\" well-known film director
\nGarin Nugroho said.<\/p>\n
\"Many (would-be filmmakers) think that since the technology is
\ncheap and quick, they can become Quentin Tarantino overnight,\" he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
If this situation persisted, Garin said, our film industry
\nwould never really manage to get off the ground again.<\/p>\n
\"It will be revived for a short period, then it will be
\ndestroyed again, and so on. The net result is zero development.\"<\/p>\n
German said that filmmakers should do their field and
\nbibliographical homework before thinking that shooting a movie on
\nvideo would be a piece of cake.<\/p>\n
\"It's okay if some filmmakers decide to use digital video, but
\nthey have to do it properly,\" he said.<\/p>\n
German consulted with the director of photography of Star Wars
\nEpisode II via e-mail before shooting the upcoming Biola Tak
\nBerdawai (The Stringless Violin) which also uses digital video.<\/p>\n
German said that film exhibitors, currently dominated by the
\n21 Group, should screen movies before showing them for public
\nexhibition.<\/p>\n
\"The group used to be involved in killing the local film
\nindustry by refusing to show them, now they're helping kill it
\nagain by showing everything offered to them,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
There are, however, local filmmakers who have intentionally
\nused the digital video medium for exploratory purposes so as to
\ngive a different look to their movies.<\/p>\n
These filmmakers include Riri Riza who directed the highly
\npraised Eliana, Eliana last year.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, real filmmakers are still outnumbered by
\nprofiteers in this country.<\/p>\n
Garin said that Indonesia could be the country that ends up
\navailing of movie production digital video technology.<\/p>\n
However, that is nothing to brag about if the medium is solely
\nused for crass commercialism.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/digital-technology-endangers-local-film-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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