Wanted: Dramas with local touch<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Director General for Culture Edi Sedyawati has
\nchallenged Indonesian drama series producers to come up with
\nstories that have a touch of Indonesian identity.<\/p>\n
\"Producers should be challenged to discover their own national
\nidentity and, if necessary, abandon the symbols which have become
\nthe property of 'western' movies,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a hearing on Tuesday with House of Representatives
\nCommission IX, overseeing education and cultural matters, Edi
\nadmitted this would be a difficult task for television drama
\nseries producers because practically everything -- starting from
\nthe science, technology and arts of filming -- originates from
\nthe modern western culture.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the symbols, which are often seen as an inseparable
\npart of film arts and film courses, are actually only applicable
\nfor the western culture,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Lately Indonesian television drama series, popularly known as
\nsinetron, have become very popular among television viewers.
\nHowever, many complaints stream in, claiming that the stories are
\ntoo \"western\" and too sophisticated for most Indonesians.<\/p>\n
Edi said western culture has blended into the film industry so
\nwell that Indonesian producers have become used to \"accepting all
\nwestern concepts without bothering to question them\".<\/p>\n
After the hearing, she led House members on a tour of the
\nnational museum, the ancient Candranaya building and the
\nministry's arts center in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Museums are still a new thing for most Indonesians because
\nthey are not a part of our original culture,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"The appreciation of museums and history should start in the
\nchildren's early years,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She said that for the time being, this should be the
\nresponsibility of schools because many Indonesians were not
\nfamiliar with the concept of appreciating history. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wanted-dramas-with-local-touch-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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