Local films: When will they get serious?
By Ahyani
BANDUNG (JP): It is obvious that the quality of Indonesian films leaves much to be desired. It is even more saddening to note that the local film world has been in a comatose state since it came into existence decades ago. And if nothing is done, we'll have to accept that change is still a long way away.
What about Quantity? We can count Indonesian films on our fingers. We have to admit that we are way behind other countries. And don't mention quality. Local films are mostly wretched stories heavily spiced with sex and alluring women.
"Some film makers feel they can't produce quality films for commercial viewing, which explains why quality films are screened mostly at film festivals."
The Film Forum was established in Bandung as a non-profit organization to keep a watch on the quality of films regularly screened in this hill city. For the 9th time, the Bandung Film Forum has recently awarded several foreign films for excellence. Local films, alas, did not even merit a comment. The silence says more than a thousand words.
"The titles alone make us shudder, richly laced with sex and women as they are," said Prof. Sudjoko, chairman of the Bandung Film Forum and professor of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design of the Technical Institute of Bandung (ITB).
Duduh Durrahman said that serious films are often created for a certain purpose. "They're created to promote a country. Such films often end up being screened in an auditorium of some embassy, or in some country's representative office. Of course, such films are artistic, and are made with great care," he said.
Few quality films are produced here. Garin Nugroho's films, Bulan Tertusuk Ilalang (When the moon dances), Cinta Dalam Sepotong Roti (Love in a Slice of Bread), are lonely outposts of quality. It is sad that such fine work often holds no appeal to viewers.
According to Siti Farida Srihadi, a lecturer at the Jakarta Institute of Arts, and an avid observer of film development, serious films are often complex, abstract, and symbolic.
"The films do not communicate easily with the audience, with some exceptions, like Tjut Nya Dien, which was produced by Slamet Rahardjo. As well as being of high quality, this film lets viewers easily identify themselves with the characters in the story," she said.
"That's why the film could be screened in most cinemas here," she added.
Film observers also agree that Garin Nugroho's works as well as that of N. Riantarno were made to be screened at film festivals.
Said Prof. Sudjoko: "Since Jakarta was chosen as the location of the Asia Pacific Film Festival, it would have been quite awkward if we hadn't had a film to show."
The films aroused international interest in several small film festivals and they even garnered several awards. But Indonesian cinema owners are reluctant to run local films since they draw no viewers.
Edison Nainggolan of the Association of Indonesian Cinema Owners of West Java, denied this. "It isn't that we don't want to show these films. The fact is, we have never been approached to show Garin's films," he said, despite satisfactory interest from viewers. In Bandung alone, a film viewers count totaled 4 million for the year 1995.
"It's obvious that there is great market potential for this kind of movie," he said.
Despite the ongoing argument, film makers and actors admitted that they have to strive for quality in both film and local acting at all costs.
"Slamet Rahardjo himself said once how hard it was to find actors and actresses who want to act well," said Farida.
Fed up with restrictions, Sudjoko suggested a "boost" and a "build up" for local films. "Let people appraise the films. The ones that are best will be viewed," he said.
He is certain of one thing, though. Improved education will create a more critical audience with a keener eye for quality. This spells hard work for the film industry, when appreciation of the public is assured only by hard work.
"Film scripts or film reviews, could become quite valuable. Like the analyses of film reviewer Leila S. Chudori, for instance," said Farida.
The local film industry depends on the expertise of film personnel. There is, perhaps, no immediate danger yet, on account of the popularity of local sinetron (soaps). But what will happen when popular foreign TV shows can be screened at considerably lower cost on local TV stations?
"Especially if shows are dubbed into Indonesian, it will be hard to stem the flow of foreign TV features. How will local film makers cope with that?" asked an observer.
Films awarded by the Bandung Film Forum:
Mandarin Films Best Historical Film : Rape of Nanking
Western Films Best Historical Film : Braveheart Best Romantic Film : Rob Roy Best Love Film : The Scarlet Letter Best Family Film : Legend of the Fall Best Psychological Film: Forest Gump Best Child Film : The Cure and Santa Claus Best Cowboy Film : The Quick and the Dead Best Humorous Film : Richie Rich