Kei Islands on film<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In the modern age, the written word is no longer
\nadequate to document the complexities of society. Moving color
\npictures are more likely to reach the masses. A song sells better
\nwith a good video, films are being transferred onto CD-ROMS, and
\nsophisticated classrooms are equipped with televisions and video
\nmachines. Despite protests from literary traditionalists, video
\nimagery remains an indispensable means of documentation and
\neducation.<\/p>\n
Dea Sudarman of the Sejati Foundation, a non-governmental
\norganization working to document the cultures of Eastern
\nIndonesia, subscribes to the magic of film. She and her
\ncolleagues publish books and produce films about ethnic cultures
\nin the hope of preserving them for posterity. The books are
\nwritten by locals themselves, and then translated into various
\nlanguages. The films, on the other hand, serve not only as
\narchives but also as catalysts for community action.<\/p>\n
In July 1994, after two years of working with the Kei,
\nSudarman and her crew went to the Kei Islands to make a film
\nabout traditional resource management. What proved more
\nimportant, however, was not the end-product, but the film-making
\nprocess. The Kei youth became more interested in their culture as
\nthe film was being made. \"We always showed to them what we shot,\"
\nexplained Sudarman, \"so during the process of film-making, they
\ncame to appreciate their culture more.\"<\/p>\n
\"The culture isn't dead yet,\" Sudarman continued, \"but the
\nyounger generation was not as familiar with their traditions.
\nMany of them helped us with the filming, and learned a lot about
\nplanting, harvesting, etc. They had lost the knowledge because
\nthey had to go away to school on another island.\" There is
\npresently only an elementary school on Kei Besar.<\/p>\n
\"When these teenagers return from their schooling, it is
\ndifficult for everyone,\" Sudarman said. \"It is difficult for
\nthese children to live in the city and also to live in their
\nvillage.\"<\/p>\n
Rum Topatimasang, a representative from Forum Baileo Maluku,
\nadded that the children now work together with their parents on
\nprotecting the island's environment. \"The elderly are not
\nilliterate, but now they know all the problems of dealing with
\nthe government because their children help them communicate,\"
\nsaid Topatimasang. Furthermore, local organizations are being
\nformed by both the youth and the elderly, in an effort to
\nstrengthen their case against the exploitation of oil reserves in
\ntheir forests.<\/p>\n
The film contributed to this cultural revitalization. As
\nSudarman explains, \"We are not just writing down the culture, we
\nwant it to continue. The purpose is not just recording the
\nculture, but learning, writing, executing, and implementing it.\"<\/p>\n
Film is an excellent media for information dissemination
\nbecause \"through films, you can absorb lots of information
\nquickly,\" said Sudarman. \"You can see the reality of the culture,
\nwhat they eat, where they live and how they live. If there are
\npictures the audience is more likely to believe the story.\"<\/p>\n
The film on the Kei is currently in post-production, the
\ndetails of its release have not been fixed. For further
\ninformation, contact the Sejati Foundation on Jl. Mendawai IV\/2,
\nJakarta Selatan, phone: 724-7221 or 724-7217.<\/p>\n
-- Dini Sari Djalal<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kei-islands-on-film-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }