16 Short Films By Young Indonesian Filmmakers Fly To The World Stage

Kalang Obong short film illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - A total of 16 short films by young Indonesian filmmakers selected through the "Viu Shorts! Season 2" program are ready to be introduced to the world stage.

"16 short films from 16 cities / regencies actually continue the success of Viu Short! Season 1. This is extraordinary. It is not only shown in Indonesia but on the world stage. The next seven days will be staged in these 16 countries," said Acting Deputy for Economic Affairs. Digital and Creative Products, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Josua Puji Mulia Simandjuntak, quoted from Antara, Friday, July 24.

All short films selected will be broadcast in Indonesia and 15 other countries, namely Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar in Asia.

Then, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the Middle East; and South Africa.

The 16 works include, Memargi Antar (Klungkung), Kalang Obong (Kendal), Dancer Prohibition (Majalengka), Kakaluk Fulan Fehan (Atambua), Dawuk (Cilacap), Danau Pengantin (Tangerang), Bulu Mata (South Jakarta) .

Then, Melaiq (Mataram), Red Fish (Magelang), Kelar Kelor (Kulon Progo), Limo Wasto (Surakarta), Bridal Tree (Salatiga), G-Rain (Batu), Lae Pandaroh (Dairi), Twin Kanak (Sangatta) , and La Love (Palu).

Most of the films highlight local culture, including the beliefs and rituals around the creators and the beauty of nature. Kalang Obong by director Suryo Seno Bimantoro from Kendal, Central Java, for example.

"In the film workshop, there is social research and story ideas. From the discussion, Kalang Obong thought to raise the tradition recognized by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Kendal, the tradition of death ceremonies, usually for a year (after someone's death)," said Suryo in Viu's "Watch Party" via online, Thursday.

According to him, this tradition in the Kalang Tribe was stopped and even threatened with extinction. Not everyone in Kendal knows about this tradition.

Still a matter of culture, Ni Putu Mulyani's Memargi Antar from Klungkung, Bali focuses on Mepandes, a tooth-cutting ceremony to eliminate sad ripu traits in humans, namely lust, greed, anger, drunkenness, jealousy and doubt.

"Looking at the simple things that exist around us and the idea of this film came to us. With the fairness of films from Klungkung it can be watched by Balinese and international people, thus inspiring friends to work with their own local culture," said Mulyani.

Another film, G-Rain by a student from Batu, East Java, shows the natural beauty of the mountainous city of Batu, and tells the unique culture of the Tengger tribe, who routinely perform special rituals to adjust the volume and frequency of rain.

Then, Melaiq, created by a student from Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, which carries the typical tradition of the Sasak tribe, tests the seriousness and courage of a man in building a household by kidnapping a woman he will propose to.

In addition, there is also Kanak Kembar, a short film from Sangatta City, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. This film raises the belief of the Dayak Kenyah tribe, that every child born has a twin, a crocodile.

The short films "Viu Shorts! Season 2" can be enjoyed on the Viu app which can be downloaded on the App Store, Google Play and select smart TVs, as well as www.viu.com.