Young filmmakers celebrate Women's Day

By Gotot Prakosa

JAKARTA (JP): Gender issues play a very significant role in nurturing democracy in Indonesia. Women have eloquently voiced their rights for equality in every aspects of the nation's life.

In conjunction with National Women's Day, which falls on Dec. 22, l99, a number of young cinematographers have announced their own way of celebrating the event.

Organized by the School of Film and Television at the Jakarta Arts Institute, participants plan to screen their own short films dealing with women's issues: their rights, their fates and their fight against inequality.

The short film festival on women's films called Women in Young Cinematographers' Eyes will show 15 short films at the Lingkar Mitra Budaya in Menteng, Central Jakarta, from Dec. 20 to Dec. 22, l999.

Among the presented films are Nurani, (Conscience), directed by Viva Westi Datoek. This is an-all-women's film. It was produced by female directors and crew, including Regina Indung's camera work, scriptwriter Lila Nurmalina and sound and light editors Yane E. Lawalata and Siti Asiva N.

The nine-minute film tells the story of a teenage girl who is forced by her boyfriend to have an abortion. The boy argues they are too young to become parents. When the young woman enters the abortion clinic, she finds many young mothers-to be who lack the courage and hear to abort the fetuses. The teenager is left in a very confused state and decides to go to her boyfriend's house only to find him playing around with another girl.

Shocked and disappointed, the young woman confesses to her mother that she is pregnant. Her mother, recalling her own experience, feels guilty and disgraced. The girl decides to keep the baby and lead a single life.

Anna Siti's Irene also tells the story of an introvert and timid young girl, who is a victim of a broken home. She frequently sees her father making love to his lovers; her mother is also involved in extramarital affairs.

She finds "true love" with a handsome young man, until she realizes he is a liar and womanizer. In an attempt to escape from her sad reality, she becomes trapped in a world of lesbians. The story reaches its climax when finally Irene finds her way to a heavenly life.

Young director Emilia Tanjung experimented with a short film titled Halte, (bus shelter), to portray the life of a rural girl amid the hustle and bustle of Jakarta.

Emilia shoots her film in one place only: the bus shelter. The story is about 15-year-old Neng, a teenage prostitute. Neng waits for lonely guys who want to spend the cold nights with her in return for money. The girl becomes friends with an old newspaper seller, who feels that they are in the same boat. The old man acts as her confidant and her protector. Out of concern for the teenager's safety, he records the police numbers of any car which take the girl out.

One day, Neng tells him about her plan to marry one of her clients. The old man tries his best to prevent her from marrying an unknown man. The teenager is angry and accuses him of destroying her future. When the man dies in a car accident, Neng realizes that the old man had saved all of the money she gave him for her future. After the man dies, a fat old woman replaces him. But she is unkind and careless. And for Neng, life goes on.

The above stories reveal that these young filmmakers are attempting to be honest in their vision toward women. The films reflect their struggles in an unfriendly environment, their spontaneous efforts. But in many cases, they make compromises with the current situation. When they make their endings, they often have to find the best solution for their protagonist by showing the truth as an aspect of God's ways.

Certainly, it would be interesting if we could discuss the films from a variety of aspects -- socially and philosophically -- as well as about the filmmaking techniques.

In addition to these three short films, the festival will also screen other fine works such as Erevelt by Arie Azis and Sepatu Merah (the Red Shoes) by Tri Widiastuti. The other 10 films are directed by young male cinematographers. The films include Biarkan Kereta Itu Berlalu (Let the Train Pass By) by Epi Zein, Coda by Arif Pribadi, Balada Kaca (the Glass Ballad) by Johan Tenggi, Gerbang 1,2,3, (the Gate 1,2,3,), the first Garin Nugroho short film and Bumerang (Boomerang) by Rafky.

The other films are Seberkas Sinar Kasih (Light of Affection) by Teguh Prasetyo Harto, Diantara Dua Hati (Between Two Hearts) by Exel Darmadi, Popon by Edi Santoso, Bitter Chocolate by Platoon and Pao and Bunga Sandra Kumbang (Sandra Kumbang's Flower) by Ruli Mana.

Through these films, the young male filmmakers are trying to portray women as protagonists, as objects, or at least they want to express their attitudes toward women.

Short films only have a short duration. Yet, with this brevity, a filmmaker is required to be able to selectively choose his/her materials. Therefore, every shot he/she takes is meaningful and easily understood by the viewers.

When the filmmaker only wants to tell a story, he/she is only shortening a long film story.

In addition to the screening of short films, the festival will present a discussion with guest speakers including Karlina Leksono and Tommy F. Awuy.