'Sinetron' can be high-quality works<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A sinetron television drama can be as artistic
\nas a wide-screen film if it is properly made by talented film
\nmakers, insisted noted playwright and film director Nano
\nRiantiarno.<\/p>\n
According to Nano, sinetron is an alternative media for film
\nmakers to express their artistic skills which have been blocked
\nby the pitiful condition of the national film industry.<\/p>\n
\"Despite the sluggish film industry, people in the film world
\nshould maintain their creativity. Through sinetrons, film
\ndirectors, artists, cameramen and screenwriters can create high-
\nquality art pieces,\" he maintained.<\/p>\n
\"The establishment of private television stations has provided
\nample room for local television series,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Between August l994 and August l995, about 2,970 television
\ndrama episodes were aired on the state-owned TVRI and private
\nstations TPI, RCTI, SCTV, Indosiar Visual Mandiri and AN-teve.<\/p>\n
Nano added that many film directors are still reluctant to
\nshift to sinetron because they consider it less skillful.<\/p>\n
\"This is not true. It is a matter of a change in medium, from
\nCinemaScope to television format. A good artist should be able to
\nproduce high-quality items in any media,\" Nano argued.<\/p>\n
Nano, who also leads the controversial Teater Koma, has
\nproduced a number of sinetrons, including Suryakantakwa.<\/p>\n
He admitted that many people often associate sinetrons with
\ncheap soap operas, telenovelas (Latin soap operas) and slapstick
\ncomedies. The majority of sinetrons on Indonesian TV are low-
\nquality and therefore tarnish the medium's image, he said<\/p>\n
Nano said the industry is still in its infancy. Its producers
\nare still searching for the proper concept.<\/p>\n
\"I think we should let them produce as many sinetrons as
\npossible because it is important for the development of this
\nindustry. Once established, people will easily judge the quality
\nof each production,\" he pointed out.<\/p>\n
Ishadi S.K, a communications expert and former TVRI director,
\nshares Nano's opinion, saying that despite the various
\nshortcomings in television series production, some sinetrons,
\nmainly those produced by prominent directors, are artistic. Many
\nof them get stories ideas from daily life as well as local
\nliterature. The large audience they attract has encouraged more
\ndirectors to turn to sinetron.<\/p>\n
\"It is clear that high-quality TV series have their own
\nmarket,\" said Ishadi, currently head of the research and
\ndevelopment department of the Ministry of Information.<\/p>\n
In the l980s, TVRI ran a number of high-quality TV dramas such
\nas Losmen (Hostel) by the late Wahyu Sihombing and his wife
\nTatiek Maliyati, as well as Aksara Tanpa Kata (Letterless Words),
\nTuanku Tambusai (My Master Tambusai) and Sayekti dan Hanafi
\n(Sayekti and Hanafi) by the late Irwinsyah.<\/p>\n
A number of private TV stations followed with a television
\ndrama produced by prominent film directors like Teguh Karya, the
\nlate Arifin C. Noer, Slamet Rahardjo Djarot, Ami Priyono, Putu
\nWijaya and Dedi Setiadi.<\/p>\n
Teguh Karya, whose films have won 52 Citra awards -- the
\nIndonesian version of the Oscar -- has produced a number of
\ntelevision dramas, including Pulang (Going Home), Arak-Arakan,
\n(Parade), Bayangan Cermin Palsu, (The Shadow of a Fake Mirror)
\nand Alang-Alang (Grass).<\/p>\n
\"I will continue working although the local film industry is
\ncollapsing. Even if I fail in sinetron I'll never give up,\" Teguh
\npledged.<\/p>\n
Teguh has a strong foothold in sinetron and he is aware that
\nthe quality of this film genre is strongly affected by market
\ndemand. Two weeks ago, his creation Alang Alang won the
\ninternational Joey Award for best television drama from John
\nHopkins University in the United States.<\/p>\n
Alang Alang is about overpopulation in Indonesia. It is
\nentertaining and touching while maintaining its effectiveness as
\na government family planning campaign.<\/p>\n
\"The award will encourage other directors to produce their
\nbest pieces. It is proof that Indonesia can actually create
\ninternational-standard television,\" Teguh said.<\/p>\n
The late Arifin C. Noer also helped shape the sinetron
\nindustry.<\/p>\n
One film critic said that Arifin's works have proved to many
\naudiences that sinetron is worth watching.<\/p>\n
Arifin's Tasi Oh Tasi (Tasi Oh Tasi), Bulan Dalam Baskom (Moon
\nin a Bowl), Sebuah Dongeng Cinta (A Love Story), and his last
\nproduction Keris, (Kris) are all remarkable.<\/p>\n
Arifin explores social problems in Tasi Oh Tasi. The film is
\nabout Tasi, a young prostitute who has to survive in Jakarta. His
\ntreatment of the character and the soundtrack, lighting and
\nediting are very clever.<\/p>\n
Arifin made this simple television drama into a beautiful
\npiece. Arifin, who died early this year, was quoted by Kompas
\ndaily as saying that through sinetron he would like to stir
\npeople's emotions as well as discuss solutions to various
\nsocietal problems.<\/p>\n
Siti Nurbaya and Sengsara Membawa Nikmat (Blissful Suffering)
\nby Dedi Setiadi were the most awaited sinetron programs aired by
\nTVRI in l992.<\/p>\n
Siti Nurbaya was adapted from Marah Roesli's novel which
\ndiscusses the fate of Minangkabau (West Sumatran ethnic group)
\nwomen who must strictly follow tradition. The television drama is
\nvery realistic and the setting and characters support the story's
\nflow. Dedi cast young artist Novia Kolopaking as Siti Nurbaya and
\nsenior actor H.M. Damsik as the antagonist Datuk Maringgih. The
\ntwo successfully stirred the audience's emotions. This highly-
\nacclaimed sinetron received high ratings, making it commercially
\nviable.<\/p>\n
Siti Nurbaya, Sengsara Membawa Nikmat and the latest sinetron
\nSi Doel Anak Sekolahan (Si Doel The School Boy) have also
\nattracted viewers in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and
\nthe Philippines.<\/p>\n
Nano is right. High-quality sinetron has its place on
\ntelevision.<\/p>",
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