Surjadi inaugurates new Usmar Ismail Film Center
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja inaugurated yesterday the operation of the renovated Usmar Ismail Film Center in Kuningan, South Jakarta, with a call to awaken the ailing national film industry.
"The condition of the national film industry is a challenge for Indonesian film producers. They should find out why people are so reluctant to watch national films," Surjadi said, referring to national film productions which are usually eclipsed by their foreign counterparts.
The center's renovated five-story building, which is owned by the municipality, is located next to Pasar Festival on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said. The film center itself was established Oct. 20, 1975, initiated by former governor Ali Sadikin.
Surjadi urged the foundation managing the film center to utilize the renovated facility as effectively as possible to improve the local film industry.
Initially, the renovation project was scheduled to be completed before the commemoration of Jakarta's 470th anniversary on June 22.
The center's renovation, which started in December 1995, was part of the Soemantri Brodjonegoro Sports Center renovation project, which cost about Rp 500 billion (US$192.3 million), by the Bakrie and Gesit Groups, under a build, operate and transfer deal with the city.
City offices and a parking lot with a capacity for 1,000 cars were built.
About 70 percent of the film center will be used for film- related activities and the remaining 30 percent for commercial use.
The basement of the building has an archive of 200 selected films nominated in previous annual national film competitions.
A 1995 Indonesian film catalog revealed that 2,261 titles had been produced since 1926, of which only 1,500 were still in good condition.
The second floor of the 7,500-square-meter site accommodates a 500-seat movie theater, where premiers of local and foreign films can be screened.
The center would also provide free services and facilities, including free movie tickets and a library membership, for the public to increase people's interest in local films. (ste)