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bookWORM: Riri Riza: Films, tigers and architecture
Movie director Riri Riza says he is an avid book reader of various genres, mainly because he needs to be knowledgable on several topics to support his role as a director
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M
ovie director Riri Riza says he is an avid book reader of various genres, mainly because he needs to be knowledgable on several topics to support his role as a director.
'I read books for many purposes ' entertainment, reference for my movies or sometimes I need to get deeper into a book if I want to adapt it into a movie. I read a lot of books with many different themes,' Riri told The Jakarta Post.
He said he also subscribed to online newsletters and digital literature to expand his knowledge of current cultural and urban affairs.
Riri's said his favorite books were written by Mangunwijaya and Mochtar Lubis.
'Their books are so important and interesting for me because they allow me to know more about Indonesia. I can learn a lot about cultures in Java and Sumatra through their work,' said Riri, who spent his childhood in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
The writers' books are among Riri's three most influential books:
A book on architecture by Y.B. Mangunwijaya
I forget the title of this book. It contains thick literature on architecture by Indonesian architect and writer Yusuf Bilyarta Mangunwijaya. I always believe that film, as an art, is very closely related to architecture. Both film and architecture talk about proper structuring; they also discuss materials around us that have cultural and environmental values and affect society. Every time I read this book, I see that movies are built the same way as buildings.
Mengupas Film (On Film) by Usmar Ismail
I have repeatedly read this book since I was a senior high school student. Usmar Ismail, who we can regard as the founding father of Indonesia's film industry, reveals how he sees movies as influencing and contributing to society and culture. This is what I love about the book.
Harimau-Harimau (Tigers) by Mochtar Lubis
This is a novel that I have always dreamed of making into a movie. Whenever I get tired with the movie industry, I read this novel to remind me of this dream. This novel gives me spirit as a filmmaker.
