Slap in the face

Hi all .. beautiful day today, isn'it?
This time I want to share a little story. Not an important story at all, but just a movie watching experience. Not a new movie too, production of 2006. But really, for me this movie is very amazing. Frankly, a film with the strongest & best moral message I've ever seen. So it's interesting enough to share with you all.

The Pursuit of Happyness, so the title.

Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) is going through periods of less happy in his life. His job as a salesman of medical equipment requires hard work, but failed to give results that are financially equivalent. Limited education make it difficult to get another better job. Living in the midst of such conditions, in the city of San Fransisco's high cost of living, making the economy of Chris’s family becomes messy. The wife who also works hard to support the family, while gradually eroded his love to the husband. He wanted a better life, so that eventually forced to decide to leave Chris and their young son, Christopher (played by Will Smith's own son, Jayden Smith), for their fate to another city.

Glimmer of hope emerged when Chris meets a wealthy young people who come to his office, drove a luxury car. With Chris innocently asked him what kind of work can take him to the summit of success like that. "I am a Stock Brocker", replied the man. Chris' hope soared when he was told that the type of work did not require a bachelor's degree, but only hard work, expertise count, and the ability to communicate with others.

Chris Begin working to get the job. However, problems come just for the sake of life issues become more frequent at the same time, one after another. Starting from the landlord evicted because of rent arrears for several months, medical equipment that he sold stolen (for a while Chris hasn't been able to release his previous job, so he's doing two jobs while continuing to nurture Christopher), imprisoned because of delinquent traffic tickets a car, etc.. All seemed to test the fighting spirit of Chris and his affection to the only son. Thankfully, the brave men who are always able to control himself was eventually able to survive until the end and win the battle against the barrage of bad luck.

My friends, watching this movie as if slapped me hard, considering all the laziness and mistakes of life that I often do. My chest tight by compassion, witnessing how little Chris and Christopher have to sleep in a train station toilet because they didn't get a room at the shelter house. Complete with various kinds of bags and suitcases they brought. How Chris ran helter-skelter among the crowd of office workers who smartly, with a modest dress because he was only released from police custody, in order to meet scheduled an important job interview. Even for the sake of saving time to be caring for Christopher, Chris decided to not drink much when working so that his time was taken to walk into the machine dispenser & go to the bathroom!

Chris sacrifice many more others. Overall figures show as a visionary, a hard worker who never gave up, able to throw the prestige, always under control in any situation, family loving, communicative and interactive.


Sound sentimental, yes? But sorry, I don't care if it is true :-). I am already fascinated with the myriad moral message of this film, which was taken from a true story! The characters are portrayed very well by comedian Will Smith is now has his own company and great success.

Readers, I give four stars for this movie. From all aspects, this film is extraordinary. In addition to the wonderful moral example, setting the 80s who wakes up with a careful eye is also quite spoiled. Maybe a cliche theme, for some of you judge it. A person who is destitute situation, and then struggled to get out of that situation. But in my opinion, something considered a cliche that sometimes only for those that haven't been proven in the real work. But when we ask directly to Chris Gardner, the Andri Wongso that not complete primary school but became a national motivator, or Soegiharto a former housemaid, but managed to become chairman of oil company Medco & ministers of state, & much more. Surely they do not consider that this theme-the struggle to achieve a better life in a good way-is a cliché thing in life.

I highly recommend this movie for all of you, my friends. For those who've never watched one, please buy it or go to the nearest video rental to watch it again.

Also one thing that no less importantly, the Pursuit of Happyness is increasingly proving to myself that the film can be very powerful in the media who spread the message of virtue. Well, for you who have similar dreams like me to become a professional filmmaker, let's chase that dream like Chris Gardner pursue his dream, and create works that illuminate like this ...!

Learning from Western Filmmaker

an introspection for Indonesia film makers

Film Indonesia, since its birth in the early 20th century until now has experienced many ups and downs in its development. Been very successful in recent decades, the 50s and 80s, but has also slumped as the decade of the 90s. Since the last 10 years, we should be grateful because the national film world is slowly but surely began to re-excited after it was "mati suri (suspended animation)" with a total production of only a dozen titles per year. Phenomenal success of "Petualangan Sherina (The Adventures of Sherina)", “Jaelangkung”, "Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (What's Up with Love)" and "Ca Bau Kan" in terms of number of spectators, as well as movies of Garin Nugroho in terms of international awards they have received, as if to open the eyes of the producers who previously migrated to Television cinema production, that the local film market share is still very wide open and promising. One by one production house began to produce films again, FFI (Festival Film Indonesia) and another film festivals held similar start to bloom, as well as new faces of talented cinematographer appear with their fresh works. Although a bit late, top action film genre has also become part of the wave of the resurrection."Merantau (Wander)" is one of them.
Produced by PT Merantau Films, this film emerges as an action movie, the first in the country after many years. Treat people longing lovers of this genre that previously had to content themselves with Hong Kong kung fu films and a typical Hollywood shootout. Because even though the foreign films in the quality far above the average of local film, but still feels far from the reality of everyday society
During the months of June-August 2009, "Merantau" poster emblazoned on almost all our cinemas, and managed to siphon hundreds of thousands of spectators. Reminiscent of a similar thing when local actors Barry Prima, Advent Bangun and George Rudi debuted in the 80s. Claims to carry the local culture of Indonesia with a Pencak Silat Harimau (Indonesian native martial arts) display from the Minangkabau, a film which tells the struggle of a young man in the rescue of a girl and her brother from the clutches of this evening's entertainment entrepreneurs pumping enough adrenaline and refresh our eyes with the action scenes of work either, which is pretty neat story (and simple despite the cliche), landscape of some location shooting in the beautiful West Sumatra, and the acting is quite compelling than the characters.
The presence of this film certainly is a positive phenomenon in the national film industry, because it enriches the themes of our films that had been controlled by the theme of the almost uniform-like horror and sex comedy. Also commendable that he is trying to raise the local culture that almost never touched by our filmmakers, and take some location shooting in an area that almost never appears in the film (for some reason we very rarely see our filmmakers shooting outside Jakarta, although the potential for natural beauty in this country is an extraordinary), and starring the real Pencak Silat practitioners and national champion Iko Uwais. In short, "Merantau" is an example of how local culture can be combined with contemporary popular culture and packaged into products that consumers preferred. But to be critical, the question should arise in our minds:
where our filmmakers are, when this film was made? Do they have enough content to work in the themes of the nearly uniform from year to year? Does not arise a desire to make movies that raise cultural and local wisdom of this nation, which is actually very abundant we have? Do not shame them, preceded by a foreign film maker?
Yes, "Merantau" written and directed by Gareth Huw Evans, a British film maker who was fascinated by the beauty of Pencak Silat, since making documentary films about it. No wonder, if today some of this nation's original works such as Reog Ponorogo, Pendhet Balinese dance and "Rasa Sayange" song claimed by our neighbor country as their own, because apparently the owners of this nation as never appreciate and preserve it. In fact, if our filmmakers wanted to, certainly not an impossible thing though is not also something easy.
In my personal opinion, at least there are three main causes of the lack of movies that contain loads of local culture:

1. Fear of the local investor to finance the film beyond current trends.
If by following the current market appetite they have a profit, why bother to create a theme that is not necessarily sell? As information, the horror movie "Tali Pocong Perawan" starring Dewi Perssik successfully broke the 1,082,081 spectators until October 21, 2008 while still a flood of similar themes in the market. The number was in third place after a best-selling movie "Ayat-Ayat Cinta (Verses of Love)" and "Laskar Pelangi (Warriors of the Rainbow)."
2. Lack of concern on the local culture.
If no other producers are doing, for what became the first effort? When a film with popular culture is not easy to hit is sold, why are "looking dead" by making films that raised the culture of "ancient"? As soon as possible in the minds of our film industry players, who grew up in an atmosphere far removed from traditional culture. Probably most of them is the generation of MTV, which is far more familiar with modern pop entertainment than the traditional arts that became extinct. As a result, the traditional culture as something that feels familiar. But look at the average education level of their high, should they want and can care for and raise artistic heritage of their ancestors.
3. The lack of creativity in the national filmmakers.
The author believes, we have the same level of creativity with foreign filmmakers such as Thailand, Japan, or Hong Kong all have proved the quality of their work at international level. The question is whether they want to pour their creativity in a packed story with a load of local culture? Not just creative packaging horror stories or just teenage love story. So the problem is not the ability to be creative, but more to the will.

Actually, "Merantau" itself is also not perfect with that mission. In some aspects, the film is still not showing the situation and the actual conditions in Indonesia. Although the elements of Pencak Silat visible, but hard to deny that the overall fighting choreography is similar to Hong Kong action films. Also its artistic arrangement & sinematography sets up. A scene of the shooting of a character in elevators with machine guns indiscriminately, reminding us of the style of western action movies. Not to mention if we want to touch the issue of moral message: This film impressed too extol violence in solving problems. All of the above is not a mistake, maybe. Could be just a matter of their makers a sense of art alone. But I believe, the things above still can being created to become more real Indonesia and being visualized to become more polite and humane.
This article does not intend to judge. I know, making movies, then make Indonesian viewers favored is the already difficult job. Exacerbated by the lack of seriousness of our forces in combating PIRACY is obviously very detrimental to the filmmakers maker. Moreover, making the film that picked up the local culture in some aspects may require serious research and the demands of prudence in order not to violate the grip and its kind values. But let's to try to care, because preserving the nation's culture is a good noble civilization, and no good for nothing.
The producers try to be more courageous to make different themes, and more concerned with the local culture.
The filmmakers try to be more creative, so that products can be presented with the regional culture and entertain an audience favorite. Never willing to let the audience was hypnotized by foreign products such as kung fu or Indian dance.
For the spectators try to be more often watch Indonesian movies in theaters and never buy pirated goods!
As for the government, we await the implementation of our mandate so that you wiped out piracy.
Finally, foreign filmmakers could make a good film about our culture, we should be doing better.

Hopefully Indonesian film industry has continued to improve in the future.

A Small Portrait of Indonesia Drama Industry

          Observing the development of performing arts industry in Indonesia is something that is always interesting to do. Understanding the drama here, the author limit on widescreen movies and television dramas, popularly known as electronic cinema (sinetron) or soap operas. Interesting, because other than through the drama we can observe the dynamics of socio-cultural conditions of society from year to year, as well as how the nation is growing up with a story theme varied by increasing the level of education, economy and understanding of various aspects of life. To assess the full development of this industry, of course it is important to remember-at least-a little early history of his birth. Modern movies which was first produced in Indonesia is "Loetoeng Kasaroeng" by Dutch filmmaker in the early nineteenth century. Still without sound and of course, black and white. Chinese Indonesian citizens played a major role in the production of the early films of Indonesia, with a Dutch film maker. Emerged in the early independence of new characters such as indigenous Usmar Ismail and Djamaluddin Malik. Usmar Ismail movies works like "Tiga Dara (Three Young Girls)", "Lewat Djam Malam (Through the Night Hour)" "Darah dan Du'a (Blood & Praise)" and "Krisis (Crisis)" became a national film masterpiece, which became a national film industry development milestones to date.
          Until the year of 2009, we has produced thousands of national titles. There was a time he triumphed with the production of up to hundreds of titles a year in the decade of 70-80s, but had also collapsed due to rampant piracy in the production of only a dozen titles a year in the decade of the 90s. That all could not be separated from the behavior of citizens as spectators, the government as the maker of regulation and of course the film production personnel himself. For example, the triumph of national films in the era of 70-80s could not be separated from the rule that for every one imported films, must be balanced with four national film production. So the producers race to produce the film which cause the national film flooding the market, although not always balanced by the increasing quality. The situation is still quite favorable considering the home movie player equipment has not wellknown. The Fall of the film industry in recent decades, the 90s are also inseparable from the role of government is not firm in anticipation of widespread piracy, as well as the proliferation of electronic products and multiplier VCD player. Exacerbated by the lack of enthusiasm and creativity of the filmmakers who seemed to get stuck with cheap sex themes and society fond of pirated products, decades of the 90s became a nightmare for the national film industry. Soap operas on television that arguably suffered similar fate. Experiencing the glory of the era TVRI (national TV station) since the 1960s, then slumped in the 90s. The difference, slumped here is not on quantity, but rather to the quality. If TVRI never entertain viewers with quality dramas such as "Keluarga Marlia Hardi (Marlia Hardi Family)", "Sartika", "Losmen (Inns)", "Rumah Masa Depan (Home of the Future)" and the miniseries "Siti Nurbaya" in the decade of the 90s, private televisions “forced” Indonesian households to witness the works pursue a shallow impression in the story, filled with scenes of verbal violence, eyes glaring, until the actresses excessive makeup without looking at the situation and condition of the scene. Selling luxury excess, until a forced slapstick humor. "Si Doel Anak Sekolah (Dul the School Boy)" by Rano Karno was almost the only soap opera series a decent quality enjoyed by the whole family.

First Note

Hi, hello .. Alfha Arsyan (arsy) here.
Write a blog for hobby and interest in films and writings.
Sorry if my writing is still a mess, because I am still an amateur.
Want to comment or give additional insight for me? Please..
So, happy reading.. :-)