State's Stance on Controversy Surrounding "Pesta Babi" Film Screenings: Bans Cannot Be Unilateral

Bans on group viewings (nobar) of the documentary film “Pesta Babi” by Dandhy Dwi Laksono have occurred in several regions. In Ternate, a nobar of “Pesta Babi” was dispersed by TNI personnel. Meanwhile, the event at the University of Mataram (Uniram) was forced to stop after being disbanded by campus security. Reasons for the rejections vary, from permit issues to the film’s content being deemed provocative. The film “Pesta Babi” is a documentary that discusses land conflicts, indigenous communities, and the involvement of authorities in national strategic projects (PSN). The film depicts how indigenous forests, which are the source of life for the Marind, Awyu, Yei, and Muyu tribes, are being opened for large-scale bioethanol and food security projects. The title “Pesta Babi” refers to the cultural tradition of the Muyu people called Awon Atatbon. That tradition depends on the sustainability of forests and nature in Papua. Therefore, the title “Pesta Babi” is used as a metaphor that forest destruction also threatens the cultural identity of indigenous communities. Human Rights Minister (HAM) Natalius Pigai responded to the ban on nobar of the documentary film “Pesta Babi”. “That film can only be banned according to a court decision, according to the law,” said Pigai, quoted from Antara, Tuesday (12/5/2026). Pigai stated that parties without legal authority are not permitted to ban the screening of the film in public spaces. He assessed that films are the result of human creative works that must be appreciated and respected.