'Fatahillah' expected to prop up RI film industry

'Fatahillah' expected to prop up RI film industry

By Marselli Sumarno

JAKARTA (JP): The accelerated production of a film on the life
of Fatahillah, the heroic Islamic figure who recaptured Jakarta
from the Portuguese in the 16th century, is approaching its final
stages. It is scheduled to be completed in March or before the
general election in May, at the latest.

It is not the deadline that is important. Projected to cost Rp
2.5 billion (US$1.05 million), it will be the most expensive
Indonesian film ever made. By way of comparison, the production
of Tjoet Nya Dhien, directed by Eros Djarot in 1987, had a mere
Rp 1 billion price tag.

The Jakarta Administration, as the producer of Fatahillah,
will finance its cost with funds collected from the tax on cinema
ticket sales.

There will be two versions of Fatahillah: one to be designed
for the cinema and the other, with 13 one-hour episodes, for
television. Its production requires two directors -- Chaerul Umam
and Imam Tantowi.

The cooperation between Chaerul Umam, who is an expert in
handling drama films -- he directed the production of Titian
Serambut Dibelah Tujuh and Ramadhan and Ramona -- and Imam
Tantowi, who is very much at home in making action films -- he
directed the Saur Sepuh series -- is expected to yield a
masterful film.

Fatahillah is the only film worth noting among those produced
in 1996.

John Tjasmadi, the executive producer of Fatahillah, says: "It
is hoped that Fatahillah will be the prime mover in national film
production."

The year 1996 saw an output of 30 domestic films. This was an
improvement over previous years, during which only about half of
that total were produced. The higher level of production,
however, did not bring better quality to the films. The majority
of last year's films were characterized by sex exploitation and
violence.

Just look at the film titles: Selingkuh (Dishonesty),Gejolak
Nafsu (Passion Galore), Bisikan Nafsu (Whispers of Lust),
Pelampiasan Nafsu (Release of Desire), Nafsu Terpendam (Hidden
Desires), Kenikmatan Terlarang (Forbidden Pleasures), Ranjang
Birahi (Bed of Passion), Nafsu X (Passion of X), Nafsu Liar
(Savage Desires), Maniak (Maniac), Pelecehan Seksual (Sexual
Harassment), Akibat Bebas Sex (Consequences of Free Sex), Gairah
Malam (Nocturnal Passion), etc.

Four or five years ago, films with sex themes were made to
boost the slack market. Some of them were commercially
successful. Gairah Malam was a phenomenal box office success. But
its sequels, Gairah Malam 2 and Gairah Malam 3, met with a cool
reception.

Most film producers think TV films are the main cause for the
slackness of the domestic film market. Even imported films have
been affected.

It is also rare, they say, that Hollywood films become a box
office success, while Mandarin action films have long been
replaced by films about sex in order to lure viewers into the
cinemas. Indian films are hardly shown anymore in cinemas because
they can be viewed on television now.

In the given market condition, national producers increasingly
curb production costs and the number of shooting days is often
cut. A maximum cost of production is set at Rp 350 million so
producers can hopefully recover their investments and make
profits.

As a result, the films are carelessly made. Sex themes are
treated in a cursory way and logic is often sacrificed. The
public has lost interest in this type of film. When will this
stagnant condition cease? It is difficult to say.

An ambitious project like Fatahillah is an exception. It would
not be feasible for producers in general. Meanwhile, the plans of
the National Film Evaluation Board to provide subsidies for
national film production have not been realized.

An new artistic wave has been created by four young directors
(Nan Triveni Achnas, Mira Lesmana, Rizal Matovani and M. Rivai
Riza). Each of them has directed a film sequence of half an hour.
The theme is young persons who have landed in an impasse in life.

Their four short films will be put together and shown in the
cinemas under the title Kuldesac (cul-de-sac). It will be
released in July, says Nan.

The year 1996 was characterized by stagnation in domestic film
production, and it is difficult to be optimistic about the new
year, despite the fresh departure from the norm created by the
genesis of Fatahillah, Kuldesac and a number of new productions
by well-known directors.

Directors Teguh Karya, Slamet Rahardjo and Garin Nugroho are
preparing to work on TV films funded by the Johns Hopkins
University of the United States. A similar project was sponsored
a few years ago by the same university. Teguh, Slamet and the
late Arifin C. Noer participated in the project, with the theme
of population problems. This year's theme will be the health
problems of mothers during childbirth.

After the TV film, Slamet will work on a widescreen film based
on Putu Wijaya's novel Telegram. Putu himself will write the
screenplay. Slamet says the film is a coproduction between his
film company and a French producer.