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Palace screening marks end of film celebration
The main hall of the State Palace was transformed into a movie theater on Monday to commemorate National Film Day
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T
he main hall of the State Palace was transformed into a movie theater on Monday to commemorate National Film Day.
As the climax of a month of film-related events, President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, several of his ministers and film industry representatives were slated to attend a screening of last year's winner of the Citra award for Best Film, Cahaya Dari Timur: Beta Maluku (Light from the East: I'm Maluku).
'I love watching movies ['¦] I prefer comedies, such as the 'Warkop' films and those of Benyamin Sueb,' President Jokowi said, as reported by kompas.com. 'I also watch new releases, such as Cinta Brontosaurus and Comic 8.'
Meanwhile, film communities nationwide held various public screenings to commemorate the day, which marks the release date of Usmar Ismail's Independence War film Darah dan Doa (The Long March) in 1950.
Also part of the festivities was the Equator Film Expo (EFX) in Jakarta, a series of screenings, exhibitions and seminars conducted by prominent film experts from France, which ran from March 27 to 30 in Jakarta.
'Indonesian filmmakers have shown that they are able to produce high quality films ' but this means nothing if they cannot promote it,' producer Sendi Sugiharto said during a press conference earlier this month.
Another event, the Film and Art Celebration (FilartC), brought together different associations of film professionals for three days of celebrations at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center in Cikini, Central Jakarta, from March 27 to 29.
A parade of costumes used in several films, such as Soekarno, Habibie dan Ainun, Soegija and Pendekar Tongkat Emas (The Golden Cane Warrior), was the highlight of the opening on Feb. 27, showcasing costume masterpieces that contributed to the success of the films.
'It's part of raising public awareness about every element in filmmaking,' said Nani Yugo, a director who was in charge of the costume parade and exhibition. 'A well-prepared costume will help in creating 'reality' in a film; but to date the public is still unable to pinpoint what makes a film 'real'.'
The event, the first of its kind in Indonesia, was held to honor those who labor 'below the line' on local film productions.
The phrase refers to film accounting: actors, director, producers and writers are above the line. Everyone else on a production is 'below' it.
'At this event, Indonesian film lovers will get a chance to closely look at every aspect of a production,' said Leni Lolang, the chairwoman of the organizing committee.
Leni, who is also chairwoman of the Association Indonesian Film Producers (Aprofi), said that the event ' produced by Aprofi, the Jakarta Arts Council, the Kineforum independent film venue and several associations of film professionals ' targeted students, artists, art and cultural observers, art enthusiasts and the general public.
At the event, organizers screened a host of classic Indonesian films, including Darah dan Doa, Usmar's acclaimed post-war drama Lewat Djam Malam (Past Curfew) and Kuldesak, the Pulp Fiction-inspired film that launched the careers of several indie film directors.
Rumah Aktor Indonesia, a guild for local actors, also held open auditions for new talents, where tyro thespians could act alongside established talents. According to actor Abimana Aryasatya, those who passed muster would be considered for roles in upcoming films.
Production designer Adrianto Sinaga, who also helped organize the event, said people below the line still faced challenges, although the current situation is better than that of a decade ago.
Adrianto, who is also an actor and a producer, said that various associations of local film professionals had been trying to hash out requirements for government certification for the last year.
'It's still unclear which institution will handle the certification, but the guidebook we are currently compiling will require assessments of filmmakers,' said Adrianto, adding that certification would determine standard pay for professionals, boost the quality of local films and help those seeking work on foreign film productions.
'The people behind the lines may not be as popular as directors and actors, but they work just as hard,' Adrianto said. 'If we want to appreciate Indonesian film, then we could start by giving recognition to everyone involved in a production.'
' Hans David Tampubolon contributed reporting
