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Minister wants to relax permit procedure for filming in Indonesia
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama wants to make it easier to shoot Hollywood-style movies in Indonesia, reasoning that this could attract visitors from across the globe.
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Wishnutama Kusubandio is announced as the minister in charge of tourism and the creative economy on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo's new Cabinet on Oct. 23. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
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ourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama wants to make it easier to shoot Hollywood-style movies in Indonesia, reasoning that movies could expose the beauty of Indonesia to potential visitors across the globe.
“The [permit procedures] should be simplified, as [movie shooting] is a form of investment in Indonesia. [Permits] should be issued with convenience, and we will simplify [the process],” Wishnutama was quoted as saying by kompas.com on Tuesday.
He went on to say that other ministries also had to be involved to ensure easy permit applications for filmmaking.
“This is based on the experience of people who have asked for such permission," said Wishnutama, adding that he had once helped a Hollywood filmmaker obtain the permit for filming in Indonesia, and it had been very difficult.
Moreover, the minister said, he would study what could be done to ease the permit application process.
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Previously, Deputy Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Angela Herliani Tanoesoedibjo said movies offered a chance to promote Indonesian tourist destinations in a more creative way.
"There are many creative ways to promote [tourism], including filmmaking," said Angela, noting that the 2010 Hollywood movie Eat, Pray, Love had been filmed in Bali.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Film Agency head Chand Parwez said it was often easier to obtain a permit for filming abroad than in Indonesia.
He cited New York City as an example of convenience for filmmakers, where a reasonable fee was all that was required to allow moviemakers to film in different corners of the city. (gis/mut)
