MADRID - Indonesia and Spain open the opportunity for film co-production and matching funds to strengthen the film industry of the two countries. At the same time, both of them emphasized support for the protection of Palestinian identity and cultural heritage.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon discussed the two agendas in a meeting with the Spanish Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun in Madrid, Wednesday, July 15. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Reconstruction of the Palestinian Cultural Sector.
Fadli proposed an update to the memorandum of understanding in the field of culture as the basis for more concrete cooperation. Filmmaking is one of the main sectors offered by Indonesia.
"Indonesia and Spain have great opportunities to develop cultural cooperation, especially in the film industry. We propose ease of co-production schemes for filmmakers from both countries," said Fadli.
He also offered a matching fund scheme to support filmmakers. In this scheme, project funding is jointly borne by the parties involved.
Indonesia, said Fadli, currently produces more than 250 films every year. This capacity is considered to be capital to expand joint production and the creative industry network of the two countries.
Urtasun welcomed the proposal. He supports inter-agency film cooperation, the development of co-productions, as well as the participation of Indonesian films in the San Sebastián Film Festival and the Málaga Film Festival.
"We need to explore opportunities to invite Indonesian films to participate in the festival," said Urtasun.
The two ministers also discussed the establishment of the International Alliance for the Protection of Palestinian Culture. The initiative is aimed at preserving the identity and cultural heritage of Palestine that is threatened by the conflict.
Fadli said Indonesia's support for Palestine was not only driven by religious closeness. Support also came from the government, parliament, and society.
"Preservation of cultural identity is an inseparable part of efforts to maintain civilization and the rights of a nation," he said.
Urtasun stated that Spain has a strong commitment to Palestine. He assessed that the cultural protection efforts carried out together with UNESCO in Ukraine also need to be applied to Palestine.
UNESCO is developing a number of cultural protection programs for Palestine. ALECSO and the Arab League are also carrying out initiatives to unite international support.
Indonesia and Spain will then explore updating the memorandum of understanding, film collaboration, cultural heritage cooperation, and the possibility of establishing a cultural center.
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