1965 coup film no longer obligatory
1965 coup film no longer obligatory
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Muhammad Yunus said on
Wednesday all television stations would no longer have to screen
a government-produced film on the 1965 coup attempt blamed on the
Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).
Instead, he said, all stations would have to air other films
with "similar nuances" designated by the government each year.
The 1982 film, G-30 S/PKI, had been shown each year by all
television stations since 1984 to commemorate Pancasila Sanctity
Day on Oct. 1, when the coup was aborted. The commemoration
officially refers to the ideology which inspired the country to
defeat the communist forces.
The film, originally titled Sejarah Orde Baru (The History of
the New Order), was directed by the late Arifin C. Noer and runs
271 minutes.
In a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission I
for security and defense, law, politics and information, Yunus
said: "The government agrees with House Commission I that films
glorifying an individual no longer suit the dynamics of reform.
"So on Sept. 30, TVRI (the state television station) and
private TV stations will no longer broadcast G30S/PKI," Yunus, an
active Army lieutenant general, said.
The legislators, however, did not question why all television
stations would still be required to screen a film decided by the
government.
While G-30S/PKI has been praised for cinematic aspects, many
have criticized it as excessively portraying the heroism of
former president Soeharto, who led the put-down of the uprising.
In a written statement, the commission urged the government to
stop its obligatory screenings of films "glorifying individuals"
like Janur Kuning (Yellow Coconut Palm Leaves) and Serangan Fajar
(Dawn Strike) -- both portraying Soeharto as a hero during the
struggle against the Dutch in the 1940s.
Yunus did not comment on the two films cited by the committee
but said G30S/PKI would be replaced this year by Bukan Sekedar
Kenangan (Not Merely a Memory), a new film produced by the
Ministry of Information in cooperation with the Ministry
Education and Culture.
It was directed by renowned playwright Tatiek Malyati
Sihombing.
Yunus said the film would be screened in three episodes from
Sept. 30 on all TV stations starting at 9:30 p.m.
The ministry's director general for radio, television and
film, Ishadi SK, told reporters that the film was fictional,
unlike G30S/PKI, which was considered a semi-documentary.
"It's fictional, but it has nuances of the Sept. 30 coup. It's
a story about a student fighting for reform who was later branded
as a member of the Communist Party just because his grandfather
was a Communist," he said.
"There are elements of justice in the film."
The stigma of the PKI had often been used by the previous
government to brand critical political opponents. (aan)