my beloved world

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.