Book documents local films

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)