Filmmakers call for new film law

Sat, 05/03/2008 11:14 AM  |  People

JAKARTA: Filmmaker Riri Reza said he could understand the Constitutional Court's decision which refused to conduct a judicial review of the 1992 Film Law.

The proposal was made by actress Annisa Nurul Shanty K., director Muhammad Rivai Riza (Riri Reza), film producer Nur Kurniati Aisyah Dewi (Nia Dinata) and film festival organizer Rois Amriradhiani.

They argued the law's censorship regulation violated the country's Constitution.

Riri, however, pointed out that the court did support the call for a new film law.

"In the court's conclusion, it stated the present film law, including the film censorship body, is not adequate for today's situation and a new film law is needed," he said.

They said censorship by the body, including rejecting a film due to its theme or eliminating parts of it, such as its title, dialogue or scenes, have crippled their constitutional rights.

The Court's president, Jimly Asshiddiqie, said Wednesday the court had decided to turn down the plea although it did find the filmmakers' argument -- that their creativity had been restricted by censorship regulations and the existence of the film censorship body -- to be true.

However, the restriction is allowed under the Constitution which requires each person to respect another person's rights and to obey the law in exercising their rights and obligations.

"In this case, an institution which reviews a film before it is released to the public, whatever it is called, set up by the government and the film community, is needed to ensure the distributed film does not disrupt or disadvantage other people's rights," Jimly was quoted by Antara as saying. -- JP

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