Funds snag documentary film producers<\/p>\n
By Danielle Bray<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Finding funding is a perennial problem for
\nfilmmakers all over the world, but it is particularly acute in
\nIndonesia for projects like documentaries.<\/p>\n
\"I have had countless projects that have been neglected
\nbecause of a lack of funds,\" said Debbie, an editor of
\ncommercials, who participated in the recent Cultural Documentary
\nSeminar. \"There was not enough money for their release.\"<\/p>\n
She also expressed the sad reality of many independent
\nfilmmakers who compromised the quality of their projects due to
\nthe high price of film. \"Many artists have had to work with
\nvideo, which is a far cheaper medium.\"<\/p>\n
The seminar, marked by open discussions, a passion for the
\narts, cultural preservation and stimulating conversation, was
\njudged a success.<\/p>\n
Held at the Summitmas building in Central Jakarta from July 28
\nto July 30, it was intended to promote cultural documentaries
\nwithin societies where traditions are being lost from daily
\nroutines. The seminar continued in Yogyakarta from Aug. 1 to Aug.
\n3.<\/p>\n
It was originally developed on a much smaller scale. However,
\nthrough the perseverance of project directors Shanty Harmayn and
\nRhoda Grauer, it grew into proportions beyond their initial
\nvision. They approached Philip Yampolsky from the Ford Foundation
\nfor sponsorship; he applauded the aspirations of the duo and
\nsuggested the seminar's expansion. The Japan Foundation offered
\ntheir facilities to host the event, and with the added support of
\nIndonesian Independent Film Community Foundation, their dream
\nbecame a reality.<\/p>\n
Guests included American documentary filmmaker Les Blank and
\nthe executive director of the Robert Flaherty seminar, L. Somi
\nRoy. The two guests offered diversity among the group, allowing
\nfor an exchange of ideas and cultural education within the
\nrelaxed atmosphere. Open discussion was encouraged, and a variety
\nof technical and personal questions confronted the artists.<\/p>\n
Somi Roy said that in cultural documentary seminars,
\n\"discussion is a conversation breakdown between the presenter and
\nthe viewer ... it enables them to see the film through each
\nother's eyes\". Not only did the group learn from the
\ndistinguished guests, but the visitors also took away some newly
\nacquired knowledge.<\/p>\n
The seminar was designed for filmmakers, cultural researchers,
\nscholars and academics. Participants were given an opportunity to
\nview examples of cultural documentaries from a collection of
\ninternational filmmakers in an open environment of collaboration
\nand exchange. It was free of charge to a limited amount of
\nparticipants and by invitation only. Of 85 participants
\nregistered, about 60 were in attendance each day<\/p>\n
They ranged from accomplished filmmakers and directors to
\nrecent graduates eager to learn more about the subject. The
\nprimary interest of the group was to learn the methods of
\ndocumentary filmmaking, including how to document culture,
\ntradition and values.<\/p>\n
\"Cultural studies in film are a great way to communicate with
\npeople,\" a recent graduate in anthropology from the University of
\nIndonesia, Delvi Sinambela, explained. \"It gives us the option to
\ntalk about the cultures we see.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia is a location that is studied and documented
\nfrequently by international companies, such as the Discovery
\nChannel, and other broad-based corporations. These companies
\nhave the luxury of budgets that are unavailable to many local
\nfilmmakers. Unfortunately, the arts are rarely awarded the
\nfunding they deserve in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
There is a large international interest in the country,
\nespecially since it has captured world headlines. However, it
\nstill lacks the knowledge and foundation to become a force in
\nglobal documentary production.<\/p>\n
\"Unfortunately Indonesia is not tapped into the rest of the
\nfilm world ... there is so much excitement, energy and culture to
\nexplore here,\" Grauer said. The seminar helped to expose the
\nnecessity of preserving culture by way of visual mediums. Local
\ndocumentaries such as Bali Nocturne, Nama Saya Selasih and Mbok
\nJamu were screened over the weekend which brought hope and
\nencouragement to upcoming filmmakers in the group.<\/p>\n
Shanty and Grauer were excited and impressed by the enthusiasm
\nand numbers of the participants. \"This was a trial run. It would
\nbe great if it could become an annual event,\" Shanty said.<\/p>\n
The audience seemed equally as impressed with the seminar.<\/p>\n
\"Open discussions on documentary films are very difficult to
\nfind in Indonesia ... I think it is important in order to develop
\na wider variety of this type of film within our own country,\"
\nsaid a student from the Jakarta Institute of the Arts.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has always had difficulty expressing itself within
\nthe global spectrum. Creativity and the individual voice have
\nbeen stifled. A professor of film studies, Tanete AP Masak,
\nsaid: \"Film schools in Indonesia are relatively poor. The
\nfreedom of cultural expression has always been considered
\ndangerous ... a threat to society.\"<\/p>\n
With the country stepping into the reform era, how the
\nindividual voice is expressed, including in film, will be
\nimportant.<\/p>\n
The seminar proved a success. In a culture-rich environment
\nsuch as Indonesia, patrons of the event all agreed on the
\nnecessity of preserving depleting traditions. Globalization,
\ninfluences of the West and lack of concern were all discussed as
\nreasons to work even harder to protect what could be lost in
\ntime.<\/p>\n
It appears the participants are interested in creating a
\nmedium for their message, and exposing what they have to offer
\ninternationally. Finance will always pose a hindrance, but
\nhopefully through the continued awareness of the necessity to
\ndocument culture, the country's filmmakers will find willing
\npatrons of sponsorship.<\/p>\n
For more information on international documentary seminars and
\nfilm databases, please refer to:http:\/\/us.imdb.com and
\nwww.flahertyseminar.org<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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