Ministry of Culture Emphasises Film's Role as Cultural Expression and Diplomacy
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Culture emphasises that film plays a strategic role not only as an industry but also as a medium for cultural expression and an instrument of national diplomacy amid increasingly dynamic changes in the media landscape.
Secretary of the Directorate General for the Development, Utilisation, and Nurturing of Culture at the Ministry of Culture, Judi Wahjudin, S.S., M.Hum., stated that film is an important component in advancing culture while also serving as a means to build national identity during an online discussion on the Draft Law (RUU) on Filmmaking: Searching for the Form of Indonesian Film Institutions by the Indonesian Film Board (BPI) held on Monday.
“As we know, film is not merely an industry but also a medium of cultural expression and an instrument of cultural diplomacy as well as part of advancing national culture, thus holding a very important position for the advancement and nation-building of Indonesia,” said Judi.
In the early 20th century, film in Indonesia was dominated by imported productions and colonial documentation. Local production began to develop in the 1920s, which continued into the independence era with the emergence of national filmmakers’ works.
Entering subsequent periods, Indonesian filmmaking underwent changes in line with policy dynamics and industry developments, including the establishment of various film institutions as well as the organisation of film festivals as spaces for appreciation and distribution of works.
According to Judi, the most significant change occurred in the digital era, particularly since the arrival of streaming platforms that have broadly altered film distribution and consumption patterns.
“In the digital era, streaming platforms emerged since 2016, radically changing the film distribution landscape,” he said.
He assessed that this development demonstrates that film has complex dimensions, encompassing economic, social, and cultural aspects, thus requiring an adaptive policy approach.
In addition, film is also seen as having potential as a means of cultural diplomacy that can introduce Indonesia’s values, identity, and diversity to the global level.