Dian Sastrowardoyo on films and philosophy

A. Junaidi and Johannes Simbolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Starting her career as a cover girl at Gadis teen magazine 10 years ago, Diandra Paramitha Sastrowardoyo, better known as Dian Sastrowardoyo, is considered by some as an icon in the awakening of the Indonesian film industry.

After years of collapse -- due, among other things, to the monopoly in the distribution of films in the country -- the industry started to get back on its feet in early 2000, with Dian as its rising star. Five years into the revival phase of the industry, Dian remains a most popular star.

The 23-year-old Dian began with a role in Bintang Jatuh (Falling Star) with director Rudi Sujarwo in 2000, which was not very successful in the market

But Dian's star did not fall, as her next film Pasir Berbisik (Whispering Sands) in 2001 boosted her popularity.

Through the film, which also starred veteran actress Christine Hakim, Dian was awarded as best actress in the 15th Singapore International Film Festival and the Asian Film Festival in Deauville, France both in 2002.

"I was born with this film," Dian said in an interview with The Jakarta Post last week.

Her name skyrocketed after she secured Indonesia's most prestigious film award, the Piala Citra, for best actress in the teen flick Ada Apa dengan Cinta (What's Up with Cinta) at Indonesian Film Festival in the same year.

Last month, she received a special jury award as the most promising actress at the 50th Asia Pacific Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur.

Offers for her to play from film directors continue to pour in. This year alone, she played in three films, Banyu Biru, Ungu Violet, and Belahan Jiwa (Soulmates).

Born in Jakarta on March 16, 1982, Dian was also the brand ambassador for several products including Panasonic, Lux, Fossil Watch (2004), Sunsilk (2000), Sanex (2000) and Vitacimin (1999).

She officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of a new Louis Vuitton store at Plasa Senayan, South Jakarta, on Thursday.

Apart from her glamorous work as an actress, Dian is still a student at the University of Indonesia's school of philosophy, and has expressed a dream to become a philosopher.

"I want to teach at the school of philosophy...," she mused.

Dian eagerly talked about the feminist movement in Indonesia, domestic violence and marital rape, in the same way she discussed the Indonesian film industry.

The following are excerpts from the interview:

Question: What's your opinion of current condition of the Indonesian film industry?

Actually, I'm very glad to see the awakening of the Indonesian film industry after almost ten years of collapse. What I'm worried about is the quality. Aside from the quantity, we have to pay attention to the quality aspect.

The awakening of the film industry in terms of quantity, should be coupled by the rise of new idealism, new spirit and new messages. We have to prevent the industry from neglecting idealism.

So there are weaknesses in the industry. What do you think is its future?

Yes, there are weaknesses. We sometimes forget quality in films. The industry should not lose its dignity and idealism in its production activities.

We can see and make a comparison to what has happened in our sinetron (television soap opera). In the beginning, the sinetron starts out good. We could mention several of these (which are good). But gradually, the quality decreases because of business considerations. Actually, they can make good sinetron. I'm sad that idealism has been overcome by business motives.

In the past, the 21 Group -- which has monopolized the nation's cinema network for decades -- was viewed as the main reason behind the collapse of the Indonesian film industry.

Yes, I feel the group with its monopoly in film distribution contributed to the collapse of the industry as they prioritized their own business. Distributing Hollywood films, of course, was more profitable. It was a good business. They could get their money back in just a week.

Honestly, as an Indonesian, we should also think for the progress of our nation. Although very small, we should support Indonesian films.

People see you as an icon in the awakening of the Indonesian film industry. Do you think that people think this because of your performances, or because of your beautiful looks?

I have be given many labels: best actress, etc. I'm not satisfied with my acting performances, yet. I realize that I started from zero with my skills. I have not learnt seriously yet. This is my responsibility.

Maybe, people also see my acting. Starting as a cover girl at Gadis magazine, I'm now 23 years old. People know me. They are very familiar with me.

Do you plan to improve your acting skills?

I want to save my money to finance my study. I want to take leave and seriously study acting in Jakarta, probably with Om Didi (noted actor Didi Petet) or Bu Christine (respected actress Christine Hakim).

I (also) want to take acting courses at New York's School of Dramatic Art in one or two years from now. But you know the tuition fees are very expensive.

How much?

I'm not sure, it's about US$50,000 per semester. I don't know how long it would take to get the money together (to finance the study in New York). Seven years, probably.

Aren't you rich already?

No, I am not. Ha.. ha.. ha..

But, there are reports that you are the most expensive artist now and you've got Rp 400 million per film? (Dian was reported to have got Rp 400 million to play in Belahan Jiwa (Soulmates), which is now playing in cinemas.)

I told you that's not true. I'm not that expensive. I know film stars who get more than that. I accepted the offer (to play in Belahan Jiwa) because I really liked to play with the other female stars in that film.

Among the many films that you have played in, which one you are most impressed with?

There are two films: Pasir Berbisik (Whispering Sands) and Ada Apa dengan Cinta (What's up with Cinta). I was born (as a film actress) through Pasir Berbisik. Thanks to the cold hands of director Nan. T. Achnas, I was delivered. Through the film, I studied how to produce a film. A true production of a film. And the various jobs of the film crew. I was taught by senior actresses and actors, such Christine Hakim and Slamet Rahardjo.

And the second film was Ada Apa dengan Cinta. I was awarded as the best actress and got a Piala Citra. In Pasir Berbisik, I was studying, while in Ada Apa dengan Cinta, I practiced the lessons I had learnt.

Do you think you deserved the Piala Citra?

I think not. It (Ada Apa Dengan Cinta) was then the only film (that had some quality). I would have been prouder had I been chosen from among many participants.

When did you start becoming interested in the acting world?

Actually, I wanted to become a film director. When I was 16- years old, I wanted to be one of the film crew, but the director asked me to play in that film.

And then I starred in Pasir Berbisik. I once swore to stop acting in films because the job was very hard and stressful. But after that I become interested in films and I'm still curious.

What was actually your initial dream?

Becoming a jet pilot, intelligence officer, lawyer, private investigator. I was interested in books about those professions. I wanted to be an anticorruption officer who did an undercover as a beautiful, stupid girl.

Why did you enter the philosophy school?

I wanted to become a film director who could deliver new messages. People involved in the making of Pasir Berbisik were also close to philosophy. I read a philosophy book by Romo Mangun (late author Romo Mangunwijaya). It was discussed during my philosophy studies.

Of the 400 people (wishing to enroll into the University of Indonesia's school of philosophy), I was among the 30 students who passed the selection process. I was very glad to meet inspiring lecturers such as Rocky Gerung, Gadis Arivia, Tommy Awuy. They have opened my eyes. They made me read works about Plato, Nietzsche, Hegel.

Now, I'm preparing my final paper. Amazing. Cool.

Who is your favorite philosopher?

Many. But I was very inspired by Virginia Wolf. In a lecture on feminism, we are asked to make a film analysis. I took The Hours. I liked it. I see women's that existence was determined by whether she devoted herself or not to her household role.

She (Wolf, played by Nicole Kidman in the film) died because she could not play the household role. Her existence was as a writer. "I'm dying here," (she said). She then committed suicide. Meanwhile, the other character, Mrs. Dallaway (played by Merryl Streep) survived after she left her household role.

I'm delighted that because of philosophy I have learnt many things.

What's you opinion on Indonesian feminism movement?

Every time, I finish my feminism class, I swear not to get married. Ha.. Ha... Ha...

This country is familiar with violence and unbalanced power. The feminist movement is still very small here. Feminism here is different to America, Africa. Even feminism in Aceh, Papua and Java are different because their conflicts and problems are different.

In Aceh, after the tsunami disaster, women face problems related with insurance claims that were under their husbands' names. In Java, women may still confront cultural and stereotypical perceptions about "women's duties", such as macak, masak, manak (dressing up, cooking and giving birth)

One of the main themes of campaigns by women activists here is domestic violence. How do you see the issue?

Domestic violence is difficult to detect because the victims view it as "normal". It's not something that is uncommon. So, the problem does not only lie with men, but also with women's way of thinking.

They do not feel that they are objects of violence. They think that the violence is a normalcy. This is because of the strong influence of Eastern culture that places men as the power holders.

Here, women grow up under the shadow of their powerful father and powerless mother who always accept their husbands' anger.

Do you have a plan to marry in the near future?

Since I was a kid, I never have a plan to marry young. I hope my boyfriend does not propose to me any time soon. I still want this and that. Maybe when I'm 27, or over 25.

How many men have you dated? What is your criteria for an ideal man?

I haven't counted them! Seriously, I have dated with two men. I like a man who is comfortable with being himself. Who has a sense of humor, can make people laugh, but can also be serious.

What do you wish for in the future?

I want to be a university lecturer. Can I? I want to become a lecturer of philosophy, but it's not the only job (I wish to do). Maybe I will open a beauty salon or a laundry. I love those things.

As you get older, you have to think about other jobs rather than just film.