Cinema of Indonesia

Southeast Asian cinema

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Though the cinema of Indonesia has a long history, the industry is currently struggling and developing.

History

Colonial era

Former cinema Megaria (ca.1960-80), today Cinema Metropole XXI.

The first film made in Indonesia was the 1926 silent film, Loetoeng Kasaroeng, by Dutch directors G. Kruger and L. Heuveldorp. It was made with local actors by the NV Java Film Company in Bandung and premiered on December 31, 1926 at the Elite and Majestic Theatres in Bandung.^[1] Since then, more than 2,200 feature films have been produced. After its genesis during the Dutch colonial era, the Indonesian film industry was supported by the Japanese occupiers during the Second World War as a propaganda tool.

After independence

After independence, the Sukarno government used it for nationalistic, anti-Western purposes. Foreign film imports were banned. After the overthrow of Sukarno by Suharto's New Order regime, films were regulated through a censorship code that aimed to maintain the social order.^[2] Usmar Ismail, a director from West Sumatra made a major imprint in Indonesian film in the 1950s and 1960s.

1980s

The industry reached its peak in the 1980s, with such successful films as Naga Bonar (1987) and Catatan Si Boy (1989). Warkop's comedy films, directed by Arizal also proved to be successful. The industry has also found appeal among teens with such fare as Pintar-pintar Bodoh (1982), and Maju Kena Mundur Kena (1984). Actors during this era included Deddy Mizwar, Eva Arnaz, Lidya Kandou, Onky Alexander, Meriam Bellina, Rano Karno, and Paramitha Rusady.^[3]

1990s

However, by the 1990s imports of foreign films resumed, and the artistic quality of Indonesian films was reduced due to competition, especially from the US and Hong Kong. The number of movies produced decreased significantly, from 115 movies in 1990 to just 37 in 1993.^[4] Rampant counterfeiting and television also contributed to the degradation of Indonesian cinema. In decade, Indonesian cinema dominated by serial electronic cinema (sinetron). Multivision Plus under Raam Punjabi, controlled one of many cinema companies who produced sinetron. The majority of films produced were exploitive, adult-themed B-movies shown in budget cinemas and outdoor screenings or direct-to-video or television.^[3] In 1996, 33 films were made in Indonesia, with majority of the films produced were filled with adult-themed content, and later on decreased significantly. only seven domestic films were made in 1999.

2000s

Under the Reformasi movement of the post-Suharto era, independent filmmaking was a rebirth of the filming industry in Indonesia, where film's started addressing topics which were previously banned such as; religion, race, love and other topics^[2]

In 2002, the domestic films made increased from only 6 in 2000 and 2001, to 10 films, and as the years passed on, the domestic films made increased significantly.

Recent notable films include What's Up with Love? directed by Rudi Soedjarwo in 2002, Eliana Eliana, directed by Riri Riza, and Arisan! starring Tora Sudiro, which was released in 2005, Beauty and Warrior, Indonesia's first animated feature film was released. That same year Gie (dir. Riri Riza), based on a biopic of Indonesian activist Soe Hok Gie, was also released.

The release of Ayat-ayat Cinta (Verses of Love), directed by Hanung Bramantyo. attracted one segment of audience like never before in the Indonesian Filming. The melodramatic story did not give new approaches to cinematic storytelling but the crossover between Islam and modern-romance story has succeeded in getting Muslim's around the country to lure the cinemas.^[5]

In 2009, Infinite FrameWorks released their first full-length animation movie, Sing to the Dawn ("Meraih Mimpi" in Indonesian). The movie itself is almost Indonesian-made since some of top members are foreigners. However, all artists and dubbers are Indonesian and most of the dubbers are top celebrities (like Gita Gutawa, Surya Saputra, Patton, etc.).

2010s

In 2010-2011, due to the substantial increase in tax applied to foreign films cinemas no longer have access to any foreign films, including prominent films that are highlighted during the years Oscar Winning films. Foreign films include major box offices from western, european and other major film industries of the world. This has caused a massive ripple effect on the country's economy. It would be assumed that this event would increase purchases of pirated DVDs. However, even pirated DVDs now take a much longer time requirement to obtain the demanded foreign films making the standard cost to have access to foreign films a min of 1 million Rupiah. This is equivalent to US$100, as it includes a plane ticket to Singapore. ^[6]

The Indonesian film market is in the C, D, E classes, and due to this, foreign porn stars such as Sasha Grey, Maria Ozawa, Sora Aoi, and Rin Sakuragi have been invited to play a part in movies. Most locally made movies are low-budget horror films and most of them were regarded as unsuccessful, albeit only a few have had sequels.^[7]

Film festivals

The major film festival of Indonesia is the Jakarta International Film Festival (JiFFest) held every year in December since 1998. The eighth festival began on the December 8, 2006 with Babel, a film starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. The 9th JiFFest was held on December 7–16, 2007.

Jakarta also hosted film festival's such as the 52nd Asia-Pacific Film Festival(APFF) on November 18–22, 2008

Another event is the Indonesian Film Festival (Festival Film Indonesia/FFI), which has been held intermittently since 1955. From 1973 to 1992, the festival was held annually and then discontinued until it was later revived in 2004. It hosts a competition, which hands out the Citra Award.

Notable films

• 1926 Loetoeng Kasaroeng
• 1953 Harimau Tjampa
• 1977 Badai Pasti Berlalu
• 1987 Naga Bonar
• 1987 Kejarlah Daku Kau Kutangkap
• 1989 Tjoet Nja' Dhien
• 2001 Petualangan Sherina
• 2001 Jelangkung
• 2001 Whispering Sands (Pasir Berbisik)
• 2001 What's Up with Love? (Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?)
• 2002 Eliana, Eliana
• 2003 Arisan!
• 2005 Belahan Jiwa
• 2005 Joni's Promise (Janji Joni)
• 2005 Gie
• 2006 Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan
• 2006 Jomblo
• 2006 Love for Share (Berbagi Suami)
• 2006 Opera Jawa
• 2007 Nagabonar Jadi 2 (Naga Bonar 2)
• 2007 Kala (Dead Time: Kala) (The Secret)
• 2007 The Photograph
• 2007 Love is Cinta
• 2007 Quickie Express
• 2008 Verses of Love (Ayat-Ayat Cinta)
• 2008 Laskar Pelangi
• 2009 Pintu Terlarang
• 2009 Merantau
• 2009 Sang Pemimpi (The Dreamer)
• 2009 Garuda di Dadaku
• 2010 Macabre

Actors

Jajang C. Noer and Nia Dinata in Hawaii International Film Festival 2006

Notable actors include:

• Slamet Rahardjo Djarot
• Christine Hakim
• Marissa Haque
• Irwansyah
• Deddy Mizwar
• Jajang C. Noer
• Barry Prima
• Mariana Renata
• Nicholas Saputra
• Lukman Sardi
• Dian Sastrowardoyo
• Acha Septriasa
• Benyamin S.
• Tora Sudiro
• Christian Sugiono
• Suzzanna
• Nirina Zubir

Directors

Nurman Hakim (left) and Nan Achnas (right) during Vesoul international film festival of Asian cinema, 2009

Notable film directors include:

• D. Djayakusuma
• Arifin C. Noer
• Arizal
• Asrul Sani
• Chaerul Umam
• Djamaluddin Malik
• Eros Djarot
• Garin Nugroho
• Hanung Bramantyo
• Joko Anwar
• Mira Lesmana
• Nan T. Achnas
• Nia Dinata
• Riri Riza
• Rudy Soedjarwo
• Teguh Karya
• Usmar Ismail

Movie theaters

The largest movie theater chain in Indonesia is 21 Cineplex, which has cinemas spread throughout twenty-four cities on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Bali and Sulawesi. However, many smaller independent cinemas also exist. Another movie theater chain is the recently-opened Blitzmegaplex, which opened its first location in 2006 and have continued to expand each year, operating 7 locations as of mid-2011. Their flagship cineplex, the Blitz Megaplex Grand Indonesia in Jakarta, is dubbed Indonesia's largest cineplex by the MURI (Indonesian Record Museum).

Bibliography

• A to Z about Indonesian Film, Ekky Imanjaya (Bandung: Mizan, 2006).
• Katalog Film Indonesia 1926-2005, JB Kristanto (Jakarta: Nalar, 2006). ISBN 978-979-99395-3-1

See also

• Cinema of the world
• Festival Film Indonesia
• Culture of Indonesia
• Media of Indonesia

References

1. ^ Robertson, Patrick (September 1993). The Guinness Book of Movie Facts & Feats. Abbeville Press. ISBN 978-1-55859-697-9. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Sen, Krishna; Giecko, Anne Tereska (editor) (2006). Contemporary Asian Cinema, Indonesia: Screening a Nation in the Post-New Order. Oxford/New York: Berg. pp. 96–107. ISBN 978-1-84520-237-8. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Kompas
4. ^ Kondisi Perfilman di Indonesia
5. ^ KOMPAS Cetak : Pertemuan Baru Islam dan Cinta
6. ^ http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/indonesia/new-import-policy-will-kill-indonesian-film-industry-noorca/423632
7. ^ A Winning Film Formula in Indonesia — Porn Stars, Clad http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/world/asia/29indonesia.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

External links

• Indonesian films at the Internet Movie Database
• Jakarta International Film Festival
• 21 Cineplex – Indonesian movie-theater chain
• Blitz Megaplex - Indonesian multiplex chain
• Indonesian film notes
• EngageMedia - social change film online from Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific
• Rumah Film - Resource of Indonesian Film, in Indonesian Language
• filmindonesia.or.id - Online version of JB Kristanto's film catalogue and article archive on Indonesian Films, in Indonesian Language