Harmoko appoints new film advisory board

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Information Harmoko appointed yesterday a new National Film Advisory Board, whose first task will be to reinvigorate the moribund local film industry.

Harmoko, in his speech at the inauguration ceremony of the board's 25 members, said the local film industry, particularly for the wide-screen, has been on a downward path in recent years.

"We can't let this go on," he said, adding that one of the first tasks of the new board is to find a way out of the problem.

The National Film Advisory Board replaces the old National Film Council. Its members are appointed by a presidential decree, Antara reported.

The advent of home videos, and more recently of laser discs, and the arrival of commercial television, including foreign networks through satellite, have combined to hurt the local film industry, which has been battered by strong competition from foreign films.

The recession in the local film industry has been eased by the growing demand for sinetron (made-for-television dramas), from commercial networks. Many artists in the local film industry have turned their resources and talent to the production of sinetron.

In his speech yesterday Harmoko emphasized the need for the board to improve the professionalism of people in the industry so that they could produce films that are pleasant to watch.

He said the local film industry must retain its identity in order to survive foreign competition, now even more fierce in the era of free trade.

The minister urged the board to maintain the long-held commitment of the local film industry: that films must not be treated simply as commercial commodities.

Harmoko also asked the board to do something about the widespread distribution, sales and rentals, of uncensored laser discs throughout Indonesia.

"Such a venture (of circulating uncensored laser discs) is spreading poison in our society," he said.

The government's supervision of the film industry is currently undergoing major reorganization. Last week, the Film Censor Institute was set up to replace the old Film Censor Board.

Harmoko said the advisory board must work together with the censorship institute, and other related agencies in the film industry, to ensure the production of quality movies.

The advisory board's 25 members include representatives of the government, the film industry, the education and cultural world, and religious organizations.

Immediately after their appointment, the board's members held their first meeting and later announced the line up of its executive board, which is chaired by Johan Tjasmadi. Rosihan Anwar was appointed as his deputy and Narto Erawan as secretary.

Two commissions were formed. Commission A, dealing with film production, is chaired by Slamet Rahardjo Djarot, with Husni Rusjdi as deputy and Budiati Abiyoga as secretary.

Commission B, which overseas film exports and imports, is chaired by Turino Junaidy, with Riyanto B.Yosokumoro as deputy and Hidayat Efendi as secretary. (emb)