'We are tired of ghost, love stories'
The Indonesian film industry had its heyday in the 1970s with over 100 movies produced in one year. Many of them were of good quality and have became compulsory viewing for the young filmmakers who have put life back into the industry after a few decades in the doldrums. To commemorate National Film Day on March 30, The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta residents for their views on the quality of local movies nowadays.
Aryarangga, 20, is a student of administration at Atmajaya University who is currently learning to play the gamelan. He lives in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta:
Indonesian movies now are starting to blossom. We have had some good Indonesian movies lately, appealing to both children and adults.
What's interesting, though, is that what the movie producers are offering are mostly urban legends. Only a few have come up with fresh and new ideas, such as in the films Banyu Biru and Arisan.
People are getting tired of films about ghosts in old schools or teenage love stories, or other films adapted from foreign scripts.
Indonesian people are creative. They have lots of new and interesting ideas for stories. Why it is so hard to let them out?
Movie producers still need to look more to the bright and creative minds of Indonesian youngsters in order to produce more original, interesting, educational and entertaining films.
Dyan Galuh Dwihardani, 20, is a student of the Sociology School at the University of Indonesia. She lives in Kelapa Dua, West Jakarta:
I've always had a thing about Indonesian films, especially those that tell stories about the lives of teenagers, for example Ada Apa dengan Cinta? (What's up with Cinta?). This movie was a breakthrough in the development of the Indonesian film industry.
Not all local films nowadays are good and enjoyable. Sometimes, it's only certain production houses that can offer high quality film. Others just trying to keep up by producing films that follow the fashion, but are of poor quality as regards story lines and scripts.
I would suggest that producers and directors don't be in too much of a rush in making new films. They should carefully study and observe what kinds of movies the public really want.
--The Jakarta Post