Joko Anwar Questions Ifan Seventeen's Capability As President Director Of PFN

Joko Anwar (Instagram @jokoanwar)

JAKARTA - Director Joko Anwar commented on the appointment of Ifan Seventeen as President Director of the State Film Production Corporation (PFN). He emphasized that the position should be filled by someone who has a track record and experience in the film industry.

"Those who serve as Directors of SOEs who are engaged in national cinema should at least have experience," said Joko Anwar in the Kuningan area, South Jakarta, Thursday, March 13.

Joko Anwar emphasized that a leader in the film industry does not have to come from the world of film, but must have a deep understanding and high accountability.

"Not only production, but actually film people, but firstly people whose track records show sufficient knowledge for film, both have high accountability. Of the two, ifan Seventeen has it or not?" he continued.

According to him, the world of cinema is a complex industry and requires a deep understanding of the dynamics of business, art, and social change.

"We know that film is a very complex business, because relations with other businesses, the art, is very complex. It cannot be 50:50, it always changes, with the story, the dynamics of society, the dynamics of the time when it is made, and so on," said Joko Anwar.

"Because it is very difficult to understand the film, both production and management are in general, so the President Director must hold it," explained Joko Anwar.

He also questioned the extent of Ifan Seventeen's experience in the film industry, given his background as a musician.

"If it is considered PFN important, it must be held by someone who understands film. If Ifan Seventeen, he is a musician, yes, but if the film is still very small. He was once an EP in a documentary film, his subject was also him. He might also be involved in 1-2 films as a producer, but I don't think it's enough to understand the film either," he continued.

Joko Anwar also highlighted the lack of track records of Ifan Seventeen in the Indonesian film industry, so he thinks it is natural for the public to question the decision to appoint it.

"Because all this time he also hasn't talked about films, he doesn't show his track record in sync with the need for Indonesian films. When many people protest why Ifan (as President Director of PFN), that's valid," he said.

"Because regardless of what profession, he does not have a track record that can bring PFN to become a BUMN which will later contribute to Indonesian cinema," he said.