[FILM] Asmara Abigail | About Beauty Standards In The Film Industry

Asmara Abigail (Tarida Angelina / VOI)

The Indonesian film industry is booming. Not only about the quality that is getting better, but also how Indonesian films recognize and interpret the nation's wealth. About beauty, one of them. We interviewed actress Asmara Abigail to explore her views on this matter.

When we met on the sidelines of the release of a beauty product, Asmara was charming. With natural make-up, Asmara dressed her body in a cream sleeveless dress. Her hair is left loose at the back.

Little romance went through difficult times because of her tan skin. When he was in elementary school, Asmara was often ridiculed because the standard of beauty at that time placed dark-skinned people as a person far from fulfilling aesthetics.

Not only in elementary school chairs. The taunts for Asmara's skin color continued into high school. Asmara's only shelter in those difficult times was home. Family and those closest to him always instill confidence in Asmara.

“But I feel lucky to be surrounded by positive people. So, even though since elementary school I liked to be bullied because of my dark skin color, my parents and family have always said that my skin is okay, ”Asmara said in Lucy in the Sky, Friday, November 8, 2019.

That environment forms Asmara as a confident woman. He knows the quality. And obviously, it was useless for him to hear the ridicule of many people about the color of his skin. Asmara never even had the intention of using beauty products.

The turning point that strengthened Asmara's confidence was when he moved to Italy to take his Masters studies. In Italy, Asmara's skin color is adored.

"People there (Italy) are really happy to see brown skin like me. That's why I feel like I'm in a positive environment. And that's where I really appreciate myself. ”

Abigail's Romance

Get into the film industry

Asmara's passion for a career in the film industry has actually grown since she was 14 years old. Until the age of 18, Asmara participated in various casting opportunities. However, there was not much room for him at that time.

At that time, the film industry had not left much room for actresses of dark skin color. Only a few names have made it to the industry. Fahrani Empel and Kimmy Jayanti, for example. Both of them are also the idols and inspiration for Asmara.

Today, the film industry is booming. It is not only about the quality of the films that are getting better, but also about how the Indonesian film industry recognizes and makes sense of the nation's wealth, including the issue of increasingly open spaces for dark-skinned talents.

The role of local directors is a very influential factor in this progress. Directors such as Garin Nugroho, Joko Anwar, to Yosep Anggi Noen became the people called Asmara to build awareness that Indonesian women must represent the stories in Indonesian films.

"I am very grateful to the directors I have worked with from Garin Nugroho, Joko Anwar, Yosep Anggi Noen because they really want to provide female figures who can represent their stories whose stories are Indonesian stories. So what must be displayed is Indonesian women. "

Abigail's Romance

The names above do have personal ties with Asmara. Garin Nugroho is the director who worked on the Javanese devil, the film that became Asmara's debut. Meanwhile Joko Anwar is the director of Perempuan Tanah Jahanam, the film that first appointed him as one of the main characters.

Asmara Abigail's Appearance in a Blessed Land Woman (Instagram / @ asmaraabigail)

To inspire

Asmara's presence on the big screen inspires many people. Since successive appearances in various film titles, Asmara has often received messages - through comments and direct messages on social media - from his fans.

Most of them revealed, Asmara has boosted the confidence of those who have similar skin color. Messages that inspire the emotion of Asmara. "I am very happy and very surprised. First, everything I post on Instagram outside of work, it's all pure I want to post for sharing and want to show myself, "he said.

"So, there is no lure of 'oh I want to change the mindset of skin color.' But, the effect turns out to be that deep. I think it's the effect of loving ourselves. It's that small, but it means something to other people."

Abigail's Romance

Accepting and loving yourself is not an easy matter. Asmara shares the steps she takes to foster a sense of self-love. First, starting with education. By teaching us to accept each other, we can appreciate diversity. Including the matter of skin color.

In addition, Asmara also left environments that prevented her from growing with confidence. It's not easy. But, what's more important than bringing yourself to a better place.