Book documents local films

JAKARTA (JP): A book titled Katalog Film Indonesia 1926-1995 (Catalog of Indonesian Films 1926-1995) was launched on Saturday in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Indonesian Cinematheque.

The 426-page book contains the credit titles of 2,261 films, made between 1926 and August this year. A synopsis is also written in the catalog.

The catalog, the first of its kind, was written by J.B. Kristanto, a senior journalist of the Kompas daily, in cooperation with S.M. Ardan, an executive of Indonesian Cinematheque; with Harun Suwardi, a lecturer of the Jakarta Institute of Art, and Haris Jauhari, a journalist of the TPI television station, as contributors.

A valuable contribution to Indonesian cinematography, the book was published by PT Grafiasri Mukti, in cooperation with the National Film Advisory Board, Indonesian Cinematheque and the Toyota Foundation.

"The catalog has been the dream of Indonesian Cinematheque since it was established 20 years ago," Misbach Y. Biran, director of Indonesian Cinematheque, said during the launching ceremony, which took place at the modest H. Usmar Ismail Film Center in South Jakarta.

Ignas Kleden, an observer of social and cultural issues, praised the book as a break-through in the documentation of Indonesian films.

Films, whether they reflect the social reality, are more than just social documentaries because of their artistic values. Films must become art documentaries as well, he said.

Among those attending the book launching were film directors Ami Priyono, Wim Umboh and Slamet Rahardjo; film producers Budiarti Abiyogo and Turino Djunaidi; author Emha Ainun Nadjib; and Narto Erawan, director of Film Guidance and Video Recording from the Ministry of Information.(sim)