Local films stimulate inspiring phenomenon<\/p>\n
Joko E.H. Anwar
\nContributor
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Local multiplexes this year experienced an unusual but inspiring
\nphenomenon which has not been seen for more than a decade, with
\nposters of locally-made movies displayed side by side at cinemas
\n-- a thrilling sight for those wishing for the resurrection of
\nIndonesian movie industry.<\/p>\n
Still, with only 13 releases of locally-made movies this year
\nand an uncertain system of production and distribution, it's too
\nearly to say if the industry has already made a comeback.<\/p>\n
But as the local movie business gains its first real momentum
\nafter years of non-existence, it is not too early to call for a
\ncelebration.<\/p>\n
This year, Jakarta suddenly became the city of movies, and
\nit's such a relief that local movies do not follow the same
\npattern that the sinetron (local TV dramas) have.<\/p>\n
Of all 13 releases this year, we can find teen romance,
\nhistorical drama, horror, comedy, action, documentary and kids'
\nmovies.<\/p>\n
The local film scene opened spectacularly this year with teen
\nromance hit Ada Apa dengan Cinta? (What's Up with Love?) directed
\nby Rudi Sudjarwo. The film immediately catapulted its newcomer
\nlead, Nicholas Saputra, to stardom.<\/p>\n
After years of watching pretentious movies which hide behind
\nthe tag "art films", Ada Apa dengan Cinta? was a breath of fresh
\nair for the local movie scene with its well-written script and
\ncompetent technicality.<\/p>\n
Ada Apa dengan Cinta? is certainly the winner this year with
\npraise from critics and seen by 2.5 million viewers nationwide.<\/p>\n
The movie was released at almost the same time as Ca Bau Kan,
\nan almost epic-scale historical drama directed by Nia Dinata. For
\nthe film, Nia earned the Best New Director award at the Asia
\nPacific Film Festival for her quite daring feature debut which
\n250,000 moviegoers saw.<\/p>\n
Two films by veteran director Slamet Rahardjo Djarot, Marsinah
\nand Telegram, only received lukewarm acclaim from critics and
\nwere seen by about 12,500 and 10,500 viewers respectively.<\/p>\n
All four of the above films were shot on celluloid with costs
\nof around Rp 5 billion (around US$550,000) each.<\/p>\n
The other nine movies released this year were shot on digital
\nvideo then transferred to celluloid with budgets ranging between
\nRp 800 million to Rp 1.5 billion.<\/p>\n
The best of these shot-on-video features is Riri Riza's
\nEliana, Eliana which received a lot of praise from critics here
\nand abroad.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the impressively stylish movie, produced by the
\nsame team which did Ada Apa dengan Cinta?, failed to attract
\nlarge audiences and was only watched by 16,000 moviegoers.<\/p>\n
A supposedly kid movie, Bendera (The Flag), which is directed
\nby Nan Achnas who also did last year's art-house favorite Pasir
\nBerbisik (Whispering Sands) was simply dead on arrival.<\/p>\n
Though beautifully shot (by cinematographer Yadi Sugandi who
\nis responsible for beautiful pictures in Pasir Berbisik), Bendera
\nis too joyless and dark for kids to like and too pretentious for
\nadults.<\/p>\n
The same fate befell kid's movie Trio Penjelajah Dunia (Globe-
\nTotting Trio) which only lasted a week at local cinemas with only
\nabout 1,000 viewers.<\/p>\n
At the time where kids are already familiar with 3-D animation
\nmovies such as Monsters, Inc., and Shrek, it is understandable
\nthat they were not very enthusiastic to see old-fashioned puppets
\nfeatured in Trio Penjelajah Dunia.<\/p>\n
Audiences again filled up the seats at local multiplexes
\nshowing Indonesian movies when American Pie-inspired comedy 5
\nSehat 4 Sempurna (Healthy Five, Perfect Four) hit the big screen.<\/p>\n
Poorly-made with embarrassing jokes, the movie proved once
\nagain that local movie audiences are still very undemanding about
\nthe quality of their entertainment.<\/p>\n
Horror movie Titik Hitam (The Black Spot) which is still being
\nshown at cinemas here also confirmed the trend.<\/p>\n
With a weak plot (written by Ada Apa dengan Cinta?'s co-writer
\nJujur Prananto) and technically unimpressive, people are,
\nnonetheless, still going to the theater, presumably to see the
\nfew frightening scenes offered by the movie.<\/p>\n
Figures about the movie's performance at the box office are
\nnot yet available to the public.<\/p>\n
However, it seems the film's producers are happy about the
\nfigures, since they already are talking about a sequel.<\/p>\n
Another horror flick Kafir (Unbeliever, heathen) is still
\nplaying at local multiplexes. The corny, unintentionally
\nhilarious movie will remind viewers of a local horror flick from
\nthe 80's. However in its dopiness, it is more entertaining than
\nTitik Hitam.<\/p>\n
Yet another teen romance Andai Ia Tahu (If He Only Knew) and
\nGarin Nugroho's interracial romance Aku Ingin Menciummu Sekali
\nSaja (I Want to Kiss You Just Once) conclude the year's film
\nscene.<\/p>\n
This year was also notable because, believe it or not, a
\nlocally produced documentary was shown at multiplexes.<\/p>\n
However, the documentary entitled Student Movement in
\nIndonesia (May 12, 1998 - Dec. 17, 1998) which captures the
\nstudent demonstrations before and after former ruler Soeharto
\nstepped down from power, failed to attract local viewers, but won
\nacclaim abroad.<\/p>\n
The release, however, showed a good sign that the 21 group is
\nnow being supportive toward local filmmakers. The group was once
\naccused of taking a big part in putting local film businesses
\ninto hibernation for refusing to show them at their multiplexes.
\nBut this could also become a boomerang for the still-born local
\nfilm industry since if there is no quality control applied to
\nmovies shown to the public, moviegoers will lose faith in locally
\nproduced movies. The situation could lead to people staying away
\nfrom all local movies and would certainly kill the industry once
\nagain.<\/p>\n
This year Jakarta also hosted a couple of interesting film
\nfestivals like JiFFest and the French Film Festival -- which
\nunfortunately were held at roughly the same time, making it hard
\nfor people to go and watch all of them. Gala premieres of locally
\nmade movies have also become routine.<\/p>\n
While several independent film festivals can take credit for
\nurging many filmmaker wannabes to start making movies using a
\nminimum of equipment, the festivals should also take the blame
\nfor making the filmmakers think they can feed the public with any
\ncrap they produce.<\/p>\n
Our locally made movies are certainly still far behind other
\nAsian countries which already produce worldwide hits such as The
\nEye and The Ring.<\/p>\n
However, as new talents continue to emerge on the local film
\nscene, competition will increase and hopefully the quality of our
\nmovies will also improve. Next year will certainly be very
\ninteresting to see how our local film industry progresses. Let's
\nsit back and watch!<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/local-films-stimulate-inspiring-phenomenon-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}