Editorial_December 2009
End of year is a grand celebration for our film industry. Numerous big festivals are held within the span of one month. First there was Konfiden Short Film Festival on November 19-22, 2009. Followed by Jakarta International Film Festival 2009 (Jiffest) on December 4-12, 2009. Then there was Documentary Film Festival (FFD) in Yogyakarta on December 6-12, 2009. On December 12 there was also HelloFest in Jakarta. It screened short film works, animation, and also character costume party. The most grand of all is Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) on December 16, 2009.
These glorious parties reflect the excitement in Indonesian film industry today. Aside from the several festivals mentioned, there were also smaller festivals held in a number of cities throughout the year. These events have become substantial pieces in the big picture of our film industry. Then, what can we infer from all the festivals during this end of year?
Konfiden Short Film Festival 2009 is now over and has given an insight on the situation with today’s short films. Several quality works are screened in this festival held in Taman Ismail Marzuki, with some notes on how the festival might bring about Indonesian short film discourse among the current mainstream production of full length films.
Jakarta International Film Festival 2009 (Jiffest) is held at Blitz Megaplex, Grand Indonesia, Jakarta. Just as the previous Jiffest, it screened selected international works as portraiture of recent development in world cinema. Jiffest also organized competition for local films. Among some tens of film productions within the past year, there weren’t many works selected for the competition. Jiffest named Edwin, our young and talented director, the best director with his film Babi Buta yang Ingin Terbang (The Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly, 2008). Edwin is a breath of fresh air in our commercially-driven film industry.
During the same time with Jiffest, FFD is being held in Yogyakarta. It has flourished into a regional as well as international festival, screening selected works from several countries. Social and political issues remain as its main presentation. Theme of this year’s festival is Politics: Up, Close and Personal. We shall expect more from FFD in the year ahead. By presenting up-to-date themes, this festival will one day set the bar in regard to the international development of documentary films.
Then, there was also HelloFest 2009, organized at Balai Kartini, Jakarta. It highlights the creativity of urban youths as its main viewpoint and is getting more public attention by merging presentation of short films actualized by various communities with audience donning costumes of characters well-known among animation and character cartoon lovers. Designing itself as an urban youth party, HelloFest is a portrait of today’s creative people motored by youth. However, it has its flaws. In terms of expanding the course of Indonesian short films and animation, HelloFest haven’t really fulfilled one’s expectation. It served as a mere gathering for short film and animation lovers of certain communities.
The peak of celebration is FFI 2009 organized by the National Film Advisory Board. It awarded Identitas (Identity) with the best film whilst honoring Arya Kusumadewa as the best director. Disagreeing with this year’s nomination, filmmakers of Indonesian Film Society continue to boycott the festival. In regard to this boycott, Tio Pasukadewo, who was awarded the FFI 2009 best actor, commented, “Their enthusiasm to learn is great, but it’s difficult if they don’t have the humility. To Indonesian Film Society, please try to organize festival as such FFI, don’t just bullshit around. Make something better. I second to their protest, but they should also show some serious work.”
We need to review Tio’s statement clear-headedly. As for us, we have faith in Indonesian Film Society’s filmmakers who fight for the rights and obligations of film society in higher level as well as in grassroot level. Tio may not be familiar with film communities in other regions in Indonesia who keep filming whilst striving. Such miniscule matter has never been reached by our national mainstream film industry. Not to mention in international level, where they never boast about their representing Indonesia since they already inherently bear the word ‘Indonesia’ in their organization’s name. This is what the policy makers can never truly comprehend. Film industry is a battle not as ceremonial as FFI, but more of a cultural battle with layers within. If we keep fussing over festival ceremonials, then what we fear might as well come true: eroded cultural discourse, replaced by rendezvous of socialites displaying their sparkling jewelry.
Let’s hope for a better year ahead.
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