Indonesian Filmmakers Woo Festivals All Over the World
Jakarta. Indonesian filmmakers are taking the spotlight at the Tokyo International Film Festival, where their films are screened in a special program called Crosscut Asia.
The film festival, which runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3, is not the only one to realize the abundance of talents coming out of Indonesia recently. Other important film festivals, from Busan to the Berlinale, have been screening many Indonesian films as well, from avant-garde shorts to gritty documentaries.
According to director Kamila Andini, film festivals are extremely important events for filmmakers because they give them a boost to create new works.
"At festivals, we get to interact with audience from all over the world. The reactions they give to my film give me a burst of energy which I can use in my next work," Kamila said, as quoted by Kompas.
Kamila went to the Tokyo International Film Festival to screen her short film, "Following Diana," which was included in the Crosscut Asia program. The film follows the story of a 30-year-old stay-at-home mother faced with the unenviable dilemma of having to choose whether to stick with her husband or leave him because he wants to take another wife.
Kamila’s debut film, "The Mirror Never Lies" (2011), was screened in over 30 film festivals all over the world, including in Busan, Edinburgh, Seattle and at the Berlinale.
The Tokyo International Film Festival also has a special program called "Colorful Indonesia" this year, inviting a number of high-profile Indonesian filmmakers and actors this weekend to Tokyo.
This year, Indonesian filmmakers have been the toast of international film festivals, including at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada and the L’Etrange Festival in France.
Like Kamila, Indonesian heartthrob Nicholas Saputra also considers film festivals to be the best place to get a dialogue going between filmmakers and their audience.
"For me, film festivals are a place of sharing. They encourage dialogue using films as the medium," Nicholas said.
Nicholas’ film "Someone’s Wife in the Boat of Someone’s Husband," directed by Edwin, was also selected for a screening at the Tokyo International Film festival.
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