Local films: When will they get serious?

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