Animated movies reborn in Yogyakarta

Israr Ardiansyah, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Japanese cartoon characters like Crayon Sinchan, Dora Emon and Pokemon have stolen children's hearts but annoyed parents wanting their kids to get more in touch with Indonesian values.

Many parents want more local films for children on television like those aired by state television TVRI during the 1980s such as Si Huma and Si Unyil.

Without much publicity, dozens of Yogyakartan artists have produced animation movies for children based on Indonesian folk tales. Calling themselves Komunitas Bening Kampung Animasi (Bening Animation Village Community), the artists recently launched their 12th work titled Panangkaran, a 30-minute production inspired by the legend surrounding Borobudur Temple.

Hariyanto, 34, the director of Bening's holding company, PT Watulumbung Kampung Bening, said the project to produce Indonesian animation movies had been a long-time dream.

"We want to provide alternatives for Indonesian children through Indonesian folklore," he said on the sidelines of Bening Kampung Animasi's movie preview held at the Yogyakarta Vocational School of Arts on Sunday.

The company, he said, previously produced their animation movies in Jakarta under the Bening Studio label set up on April 29, 1997.

"The economic crisis in 1997 and the 1998 riot forced us to be more creative in dealing with the situation and we decided to move to Yogyakarta," Hariyanto said. "We do believe that success can be gained only trough our hard work.

"Yogyakarta has many talents that seldom get nurtured. There are so many people that didn't realize they had fabulous talents as animation artists. They have just learned their talents after we trained them."

Bening, literally meaning bright, was built as a collection of ideas, not capital. "We don't have money, but we have bright eyes, bright hearts, and clear minds," he said, adding that Bening is currently supported by some 45 people.

Hariyanto recalled that noted poet and actor W.S. Rendra, called him crazy after watching Bening's efforts and products. But in the end, Rendra joined them as dubbing director and supervisor.

Rendra is not the only one. Other renowned Indonesian artists, including musician-violinist Idris Sardi, actor El Manik and popular names behind the local movie industry, including George Kamarullah, Misbach Yusa Biran and Mochammad "Boy" Rifai have joined the production team to show their support.

Actor El Manik, for instance, said he joined Bening for idealistic reasons. "Quality educational Indonesian movies for children are very rare. That's why I come here," he said.

Hariyanto said that the artists did not join Bening for the money as the company simply did not have any.

"I'm glad because they (the artists) have commitments. Even high caliber musician Idris Sardi played dozens of musical instruments by himself and recorded it one by one for one of our movies. He even sung the theme song for our movie Pangeran Katak (Frog Prince)," he said.

Another Bening director and one of the company's co-founders, Herijanto Judarta, said the company had gained a great success with its second animation movie, Timun Mas (The Golden Cucumber), a well-known folktale centered on a girl who is created from the seed of cucumber and grows up to defeat a ruthless giant with her smart tricks.

Since it was launched in 1997, the movie has been sold more than 22,000 copies across the country. "But I heard that it has sold more than 100,000 illegal copies," Herijanto said.

Bening launches a new animation movie every three months. Each movie needs about Rp 100 million to make, Heri said.

"But within only a week of launching each movie, illegal copies can already be found. I've once found the illegal copies sold in Singapore for Sin$7 each," sighed Heri, adding that they would not give up producing despite the piracy.

Now, the company is in the process of establishing an animation village on a six-hectare area near Parangtritis beach, some 25 kilometers south of Yogyakarta. The village is expected to be fully operational next year.

Gadjah Mada University Psychologist Moh. Asad said that one of Bening's biggest challenges was to understand the psychology of Indonesian children in the present day.

"Sinchan becomes the favorite of Indonesian children because it represents their spirit, the spirit of lateral thinking and freedom of speech," he said.

Communications expert Ashadi Siregar said Bening must improve technical aspects of its productions. "If you want to be able to compete, you must be serious. Bening must produce works of an international standard," said Ashadi, one of Bening's patrons.

GKR Hemas, the queen of Yogyakarta Sultanate and wife of Governor Hamengku Buwono X, expected Bening to provide a glimpse of the city's cultural life. "I hope Bening will continue the fabulous spirit of Yogyakarta's tourism and batik."