JiFFest a hit with movie-hungry public

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 12/11/2006 1:34 PM  |  Life

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Cipta Arsyad looked around the lobby at Djakarta Theater, Central Jakarta, after finding out that there were no tickets left for him to watch local film Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan, screened at the 8th Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest) on the weekend.

Every now and then, the 28-year-old checked the program guide to the festival to see what would be screened next.

""I didn't get a ticket to watch that movie because I came late. They (the organizers) did tell me to come earlier,"" Cipta told The Jakarta Post while putting his backpack on his lap.

He was not the only moviegoer unable to get a free pass to a JiFFest film. Dozens of others had to opt for other films in subsequent screenings.

The Djakarta Theater screened three movies, Denias, Heart and Turkish-made Meleklerin Dususu early Saturday. Denias and Meleklerin were screened at 1:30 p.m while Heart was on at 2 p.m.

All three theaters were fully occupied.

""Due to the high level of enthusiasm we're telling audiences to come earlier,"" venue coordinator Veronica Riska said.

JiFFest organizers have suggested that audiences should arrive at least an hour before any free screenings, otherwise they will well may end up disappointed.

The same situation could also be observed Saturday at Studio XXI, eX Plaza, next to Plaza Indonesia shopping mall, Central Jakarta. The audiences packed three theaters for local films Apa Artinya Cinta, Jomblo and Serambi.

Only people who came early got a ticket.

""We're sticking to our 'first come, first served' rule. So, please come early to get a free pass,"" JiFFest media relations officer Husna said.

The public have not only been drawn to free films. Tickets for several paid-for films like Babel were sold out long before the date of the screening. Babel, which costars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, will be shown Dec. 16.

Passes for Marie Antoinette, which will be screened Dec. 12 and 16, are also sold out, as are tickets for Sabah, a Canadian film to be shown Dec. 17.

Kiki, an employee at a private company, was among the lucky movie enthusiasts to have a ticket to watch Sabah. She paid Rp 85,000 (US$9) for a Silver Card and five passes to five movies of her choice, including Sabah.

A movie enthusiast who also enjoyed films at previous JiFFests, Kiki said she would focus on foreign movies this year.

""Most of the local films offered at JiFFest have already been screened here. I don't want to watch them twice so I've chosen foreign films,"" Kiki said.

Her friend, Farah, agreed. She said she would watch foreign films. ""I want to see something different,"" Farah said.

Both Kiki and Farah were grateful to JiFFest for providing more films and better publicity this year.

A wide selection of movies and good publicity have resulted in large audiences, at least as seen from the number of people showing up on the first day.

They have also applauded JiFFest for using exclusive venues -- Djakarta Theater and Studio XXI. ""We hope this festival can be sustained in future years,"" Farah added.

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