'Corny scenarios, bad actors'

After a few decades of hibernation, the Indonesian film industry has revived with scores of young moviemakers and actors. In observance of the National Film Day, which falls on March 30, The Jakarta Post asked residents their views on the quality of local movies.

Eddy, 33, is an editor at a TV production house in Roxy shopping complex, West Jakarta. He lives with his family in Pulomas, North Jakarta:

Indonesian movies in the 1960s were much better than what we see on the screen today. Even without the state-of-the-art technology, the old-timers could produce quality films because the actors and actresses gave good performances.

Nowadays, Indonesian movies are full of corny scenarios and good-looking celebrities who have little acting ability but are sellable. No wonder we have to view so many trashy flicks.

I hope the film producers give more opportunities to young and creative moviemakers to create more quality movies.

Greg, 33, works at a supplier company in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. He lives with his family in a rented house near his office:

What we've seen on the screen recently are teen movies, which have become very popular and have managed to attract a great number of viewers.

Some other Indonesian movies have also stood out due to the application of high-technology effects, like Hollywood movies, but I don't think any of them has really made any notable innovations.

However, few people watch Indonesian films because most prefer Hollywood, Indian and Mandarin movies which have dominated the cinemas.

I think the Indonesian film business is bogged down in the morass of a profit-oriented market.

--The Jakarta Post