Exclusive, Erwin Arnada Turns Imagination Into Inspiration

Erwin Arnada (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

JAKARTA - Erwin Arnada has a long history in the media and entertainment industry in Indonesia. Completing his education in Russian literature in 1987, Erwin chose to start a career in photography which would later make him the figure that attracted public attention the most.

Born on October 17, 1963, Erwin started his career as a photographer for the Persija Jakarta football club. The job made him meet many journalists and get acquainted with the world of journalism.

Erwin started his journalistic career at the Editor weekly magazine. “I have known one of the photographers that I admire for a long time, and I was asked to do an internship at the Editor magazine, but as a reporter. My first coverage is politics and economics. It's been almost a year," said Erwin Arnada when visited by the VOI team at his office at the Perum Produksi Film Negara, East Jakarta, some time ago.

However, his run with the Editor didn't last long. Unsatisfied with only being a political and economic reporter because his passion for photography and art was not channeled, Erwin accepted an offer from the Monitor tabloid led by Arswendo Atmowiloto to become a photo editor.

“I explore more and so click with Monitor tabloid, more passion. I really like taking pictures, but also the world of entertainment like movies and music. I think it fits better, so I stay there," he said.

Erwin Arnada (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

However, his journey with the Monitor did not last long either. Luck has not been on Erwin's side, the tabloid he worked on was banned and his leader, Arswendo, was jailed.

Still wanting to continue his career in the media industry by focusing on the world of entertainment, Erwin and some of his friends created a new tabloid, Bintang Indonesia with the help of a well-known businessman, Ciputra.

Working 8 years at Bintang Indonesia, decided to leave and seek new challenges. He also formed a new media by targeting the top market. “I needed new developments because I was so stuck. I wanted to make something different, but people who had money haven't let me. So I left, I made a new one, the Bintang Milenia tabloid, a high-end entertainment magazine," said Erwin.

Entering the 21st century, Erwin began to venture into the world of cinema. His passion for the world of art and his acquaintance with many filmmakers and actors made him involved as one of the people behind the scenes of the monumental horror film, Jelangkung (2001).

"Finally the opportunity to make a film was in 2000, I produced the film Jelangkung," he said.

No kidding, the Indonesian film industry, which had faded at that time, especially horror films, is back with enthusiasm through Jelangkung. Even the film managed to be in theaters for 7 months. The success of the film Jelangkung made Erwin more involved in the film world. In the period 2003-2007, he produced at least six films.

In the mid-2000s, Erwin was asked by his colleagues from the journalism world to return to the world that had raised his name. However, he refused to return.

Even so, Erwin gave one exception. He is willing to return to journalism if only to publish an adult tabloid from the United States, Playboy in Indonesia. His wish came true, Playboy Indonesia led by Erwin Arnada was published for the first time on April 7, 2006.

However, his decision to bring Playboy to Indonesia was not welcomed by several community organizations (ormas). In fact, the Playboy Indonesia office in Jakarta had to be damaged by a mass organization, which then moved the office to Bali.

Erwin Arnada (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Playboy Indonesia did not last long. The magazine was closed after issuing 11 issues. Unfortunately, Erwin, as the editor-in-chief, had to deal with the law. Having been found not guilty at two preliminary trials, the Supreme Court in October 2010 actually found him guilty, which made him languish behind bars.

However, after Erwin Arnada submitted a Judicial Review (PK) to the Supreme Court, he was again declared innocent and released from prison.

While in prison, Erwin wrote several books, Rumah di Seribu Ombak, Midnite di Negeri Nonsense dan Rabbit Versus Goliath.

After being found innocent and free from prison, Erwin prefers to keep himself busy in the film world and leave journalism until now. Not only a producer, but now he is also active as a director and screenwriter.

The controversy over Playboy Indonesia which made him languish in prison, even though he was ultimately found not guilty, did not only become a concern for the Indonesian public. Some of Erwin's film colleagues and journalists from other parts of the world also followed his story.

Several years ago after being released from prison, Erwin attended an international film festival and met many film actors from various countries. There, Erwin was asked by someone who knew him to tell about his experiences while in prison.

"We got together, there were several directors and producers. There someone who knew me, met again and told me, 'How was the magazine?', He asked me what my experience was like in prison. It's really ridiculous, but I just told him," he said.

“One of the directors happened to be the director whose film was chosen as the opening of the festival. He browsed and asked 'Is this you?'. He asked how the magazine was. My friend said the magazine is more about culture and fashion. Then, I told the story again until the event was over," he continued.

The next day, Erwin again met with the director. Then, he was offered to make his story as a journalist until he was in prison made into a film work. Without thinking twice, Erwin offered the Mexican director to read the journal he had compiled since he was a journalist until he was finally imprisoned, which he entitled Rabbit In Prison.

After agreeing that his story would be made into a film, Erwin had several requirements that the Mexican director had to fulfill. “Previously, we wanted all the players to be foreigners and we shoot there. That's not met. Moreover if foreign actors and continuing to shoot there, then it's not about Indonesian journalists. Obviously, it will be different," he said.

"I said the nuances must be different. Finally, he came here (Indonesia), and I went around looking for a location. After 3 to 4 months, they finally agreed that the English language was fine, but the actresses or actors were Indonesian and they were filmed here," he continued.

However, due to the pandemic that hit the whole world in 2020, the film project had to stop. Currently, after the pandemic is over, Erwin said that the film project would continue.

Journey To Make Legacy

Erwin Arnada (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

From a long journey in the world of journalism and film, Erwin Arnada refuses to do anything based solely on existing standards. He has one principle that he has applied since his youth, where unlimited imagination becomes his inspiration in his creations.

"So our imagination really becomes inspiration, if we don't limit it. Imagination cannot be limited. Never say it's impossible when we have an idea," said Erwin.

Starting from his decision to choose to be a photographer instead of having a career in accordance with the field he studied, Russian literature, then moving on to become a journalist and lead a major entertainment tabloid, to getting involved in the world of film, Erwin has always based his decisions on the ideas he believes in.

The controversial case of Playboy Indonesia is an example of Erwin's wild imagination, which later became an inspiration for many journalists to fight for their rights and freedoms.

Erwin Arnada (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

"I have a motto I'm not a hero, I'm not a victim, I'm just another version of history. So, I'm just a part of a small history," he said.

“In Playboy magazine, I was jailed and got out. I can't say I'm a victim either, but at this time there won't be any media that will be subject to punishment like me, because it's been proven that it can't. People say they become martyrs because they are no more. So, if any journalist makes Playboy magazine now, they can't be charged with an article like me, because that doesn't apply," he continued.

Not only that, the way Erwin Arnada chooses journalists when he leads a media or chooses actors and actresses for his films is also inspired by an imagination that is never limited. He has a tendency to choose new people over those who already have experience.

“I think there is always a first for people and jobs, first one for everything. The reporters also never hijacked other employees. I went to campus and asked which of your students was the smartest. There are so many in the tabloids that stars are FISIP students who are still at school, not yet graduated. But I hired them because they had new ideas, so I applied them to films," he said.

Erwin Arnada (Photo: Savic Rabos, DI: Raga/VOI)

Many film actors have started their careers through the opportunity given by Erwin Arnada, namely Upi Avianto who started his career as a film director 30 Hari Mencari Cinta, and Dimas Djayadiningrat who started his directorial career through the film Tusuk Jelangkung.

For the film 30 Hari Mencari Cinta, not only a new director, but Erwin also brought in many new actors and actresses who are currently one of the country's top actors, including Vino G Bastian, Nirina Zubir, Luna Maya, and Revaldo.

The meeting with the new actors has a different unique story. Erwin Arnada told how he met Joanna Alexandra and Julie Estelle, who were then invited to play in the films Catatan Akhir Sekolah (2005) and Alexandria (2005) respectively.

"For example, Joanna (Alexandra) in Catatan Akhir Sekolah, I met her at the airport. I met Julie Estelle on the Citos steps, it turned out that she was Cathy Sharon's sister and had just come from France and I invited her to play in Alexandria," he said.

However, behind his wild imagination, Erwin Arnada has a simple wish when asked what is his legacy. He chose to be an inspirational figure for his son. "I think more about my child knowing that his father has done this and that and my child is proud," he concluded.