TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Filmmakers consider taking law to court

Filmmakers, both independent and mainstream, say they need to unite in their fight against the newly passed film law, deemed by the film community as an instrument to restrict creativity and freedom of expression

The Jakarta Post (The Jakarta Post)
Sat, September 19, 2009

Share This Article

Change Size


Filmmakers consider taking law to court

F

ilmmakers, both independent and mainstream, say they need to unite in their fight against the newly passed film law, deemed by the film community as an instrument to restrict creativity and freedom of expression.

"It was because the film industry was not unified in monitoring its deliberation at the House of Representatives the law was passed in the first place," filmmaker Garin Nugroho told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"Therefore, the movie community must now be more united in fighting the law. We should learn from the group of civil organizations that stood solidly together and succeeded in preventing the controversial state secrecy bill from being passed. The anti-secrecy coalition consisted of at least 10 major civil organizations," he added.

Filmmaker Ratna Sarumpaet said the industry realized it needed better consolidation to fight the law.

"We just need a leader or someone to organize it. If we want a strong case, we will have to wait until a problem arises as the bill's articles are implemented," she said.

"For example, I believe the stipulation that rules all domestic cinema owners must allocate 60 percent of their movie slots to local movies will cause problems in the film industry."

Filmmakers said the ruling would merely trigger the production of a massive quantity of films lacking in terms of quality.

Jero Wacik, who was the tourism and cultural minister when the bill was being deliberated in August, said the local film slot ruling did not mean to interfere in cinema owners' business policies, but aimed to motivate local filmmakers to be more productive.

Ratna believed the law's overall spirit had deviated from its original spirit, which was to empower the nation's film industry.

"There are too many restrictions in the law. I suspect that a number of people with vested interests, such as receiving project *kickbacks', are behind the passage of this law," she said.

The law stipulates that movie producers have to acquire operational permits from the ministries and local administrations before making a movie; a production house must report its plan, the title and scenario to the ministry. Article 48 stipulates only certified filmmakers are allowed to make movies.

Ratna said she regretted the fact House legislators had neglected to actively involve film industry players during the deliberation of the law.

Independent filmmaker Paul Augusta said non-mainstream filmmakers would continue working to express themselves, with or without the film law.

{

Your Opinion Counts

Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.