Facts on the Ban of the Film 'Pig Feast' Screening
The documentary film “Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time” by Dandhy Laksono and Cypri Paju Dale has been prevented from screening at several locations. Authorities and university officials have been involved in the bans and the dismantling of the film screening events.
The documentary depicts the impact of land expansion and industry on the loss of customary forests, traditional foods, and local sovereignty in Papua. This 90-minute film highlights the struggles of indigenous communities in Papua, such as in Merauke, Boven Digoel, and Mappi, against the expansion of national strategic projects (PSN).
Here are a series of facts regarding the bans on the “Pig Feast” film screening events.
- Authorities and Universities Dismantle “Pig Feast” Film Screenings
In Ternate City, North Maluku, soldiers from the Indonesian National Army’s 1501/Ternate Military District Command dismantled a “Pig Feast” film screening event on 8 May 2026. The discussion planned after the screening was also requested to be cancelled by the military authorities.
The 1501/Ternate District Military Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jani Setiadi, justified the dismantling based on discourses and complaints on social media that deemed the film provocative. “This is not my personal opinion. If you don’t believe me, I can show you many examples of its provocative nature according to the public on social media,” said Jani on Friday, 8 May 2026.
The dismantling of “Pig Feast” film screening events was also carried out by several universities. For instance, at the University of Mataram, the film was prohibited from being shown on campus premises.
The Vice Rector III of the University of Mataram, Sujita, stated that the screening event was not permitted to maintain campus conduciveness, leading the organising committee to cancel the event. He claimed to have watched the documentary film.
According to him, the content of the “Pig Feast” documentary discredits the government. “This film is not good to watch; it’s better to have a football screening,” said Sujita at the University of Mataram on 7 May 2026.
Padjadjaran University also rejected the permit application submitted by the Postgraduate Student Association for a “Pig Feast” film screening event on Saturday, 16 May. The Director of Student Affairs at Padjadjaran University, Inu Isnaeni Sidiq, said the rejection was because the event coincided with a holiday. “We ask that it not be on a holiday or joint leave day. Why? Because our staff also need to take leave,” said Inu.
The Postgraduate Student Association at Padjadjaran University plans to reschedule the “Pig Feast” film screening event on another day. They will seek a time that does not coincide with holidays so that the university permits the event.
- Government Claims No Ban on “Pig Feast” Film Screenings
The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, claimed that the government has never instructed a ban on “Pig Feast” film screening activities. He stated that the prohibition incidents occurring in various places are related to procedures followed by each institution.
“Not all universities have banned the screening of the documentary film. At the University of Mataram and UIN (State Islamic University) Mataram in Lombok, the screening was banned due to administrative procedure issues alone,” said Yusril in a written statement on Thursday, 14 May 2026.
Meanwhile, screenings held at other campuses in Bandung and Sukabumi proceeded without any obstacles. “Looking at this pattern, the dismantling of”Pig Feast” film screenings is not an instruction from the government or law enforcement authorities, which are usually centralised,” said Yusril.
Yusril opined that the criticism in the documentary regarding national strategic projects (PSN) in South Papua is reasonable and can serve as a lesson for the government. However, he assessed that there is a provocative narrative in the “Pig Feast” film.
Yusril urged the public not to overreact merely because of the film’s title, which he believes was deliberately made to attract public attention. “Just let the public watch it, then hold discussions and debates afterwards. This way, the public becomes critical, and pro and contra views can emerge,” he said.
- Civil Society Coalition: Ban on “Pig Feast” Film Screening is an Attack on Freedom of Expression
A Civil Society Coalition condemned the actions of military authorities in dismantling the documentary film “Pig Feast” screening events. The coalition views these actions as a form of restriction on freedom of expression as well as military interference in civilian matters.
The coalition, consisting of Centra Initiative, IMPARSIAL, Raksha Initiative, DeJure, Indonesia Risk Center (IRC), and HRWG, stated that the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) has no authority to interfere in civilian activities, including arts and cultural events.
According to them, film screenings are part of artistic expression protected by the constitution and the Human Rights Law. The coalition refers to Article 28F of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees everyone’s right to seek, obtain, process, store, and disseminate information through various channels.
The coalition assesses that the dismantling of these events indicates the narrowing of democratic space and civil liberties. They also highlighted the increasing involvement of military authorities in civilian life.
The General Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation, Muhammad Isnur, assessed that the dismantling of the “Pig Feast” film screening events potentially fulfils criminal elements. Especially if the dismantling involves violence, as prohibited in the Criminal Code.
“Acts of threats, violence, or threats of violence in forced dismantling clearly potentially fulfil the elements of a criminal offence under Article 448 of the Criminal Code,” said Isnur in a written statement on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
Isnur added that the parties who came and threatened as well as forcibly dismantled the event could be prosecuted legally. He also assessed the dismantling of the screening and discussion events.