Not Enough Popularity, Films Are Challenged to Improve: Regulation and Scenario Are the Key
JAKARTA - The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fadli Zon, asked the Indonesian film industry not to stop at the euphoria of the box office. According to him, the film that is selling well still needs to be supported by a healthy ecosystem, balanced regulations, a higher quality of the scenario, and a map of problems that have been resolved so that the audience continues to return to the cinema.
"Our film industry is good, we have to take care of it. Also how to continue to keep people alive to go to the cinema," said Fadli when receiving the MD Entertainment team led by producer Manoj Punjabi at the Ministry of Culture Office, Jakarta, Friday, February 27.
Fadli emphasized the need for strengthening regulations that do not kill creativity but still maintain the sustainability of the industry. He also reminded that the success of a film does not stand alone, but is a collective work of producers, directors, screenwriters, actors, and other creative workers who determine the quality of content.
One of Fadli's highlights is the quality of script writing. He encourages more workshops, talent management, and identification of bottlenecks (bottlenecks) in the industry that have been hindering. He alluded to his experience meeting Indian filmmakers during the implementation of Waves in India in May last year. According to Fadli, the strength of Indian films is seen in the solid scenario and the support of advanced digitization. Notes that he considers relevant to strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian films.
Fadli also appreciated the trend of Indonesian films that increasingly often raise the reality of everyday life. He hopes that the collaboration between the government and the industry can produce more films that are not only entertaining, but also carry a cultural mission, namely, reflecting music, language, literature, oral traditions, rituals, manuscripts, and cultural expressions such as dance, fashion, and cuisine.
Manoj Punjabi welcomed the support. He assessed that in the last two years, Indonesian films have managed to become "hosts in their own country" and dominate the national box office.
"Indonesian films are very advanced and we have a mission to keep Indonesian films as hosts in their own country. Films reflect our culture and also influence our culture," said Manoj. He added, films need to continue to be made better with positive moral and cultural values.
This meeting was also attended by director Hanung Bramantyo and the MD Entertainment team. Fadli was accompanied by Director General of Development, Utilization, and Culture Development Ahmad Mahendra.