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Please prioritize Indonesian-made films for streaming in the country, minister asks Netflix
The minister suggested that Netflix and local filmmakers cooperate to make more Netflix Originals.
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The Indonesian film industry’s first Netflix Original film titled The Night Comes for Us -- written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto – has been available for streaming on the platform since Oct. 19. (Bloomberg/-)
T
he government has raised the call for American streaming service Netflix to feature more Indonesian films in its "original" content for subscribers in Indonesia.
As the platform has become popular among Indonesians, Communications and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate expressed the hope that by doing so, Netflix would help improve the country's creative industry.
“Netflix, please use this country's creative products. There are a lot of [Indonesian filmmakers] who can make movies to be released,” Johnny said as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.
The minister further requested that Netflix make more Indonesian-produced movies and series available on its platform instead of foreign films and shows under "Netflix Originals" -- content only available for the service's subscribers.
“We ask so that Netflix Originals [streamed] in Indonesia [prioritize] creative products made by Indonesian people first, if possible,” he said.
He suggested that Netflix and local filmmakers cooperate to make more Netflix Originals as Johnny believed that such cooperation would boost Indonesians' creativity while also incorporating local values. "This is for our domestic market,” Johnny said.
The Indonesian film industry’s first Netflix Original film titled The Night Comes for Us -- written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto – has been available for streaming on the platform since Oct. 19.
In the country, state-owned telecommunications and internet provider Telkom has blocked Netflix from all of its platforms since January 2016.
Johnny urged the two sides to meet to reach an agreement over the issue. (sau)
