INDONESIA Movie Weekend Festival which will be held on 1-2 November 2024 at Womei Cineplex, Chaoyang District, Beijing, has successfully attracted the attention of film lovers in China. This event was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Beijing, in collaboration with Adhya Pictures and PT Senior Always Paham, and supported by Nanyang Bridge Media.
This festival aims to introduce Indonesia’s cultural and natural riches through film, as well as promote Indonesia as an attractive shooting location destination for the Chinese film industry.
Over two days, this festival shows four superior Indonesian films: Kadet 1947, Glenn Fredly the Movie, Gampang Cuan, and Tulang Belulang Tulang. These four films provide an opportunity for Chinese audiences to see the diversity of stories and the beauty of Indonesian culture. This festival received a warm welcome, with seats full of enthusiastic spectators and various positive responses from the guests who attended.
“In 2022, the Indonesian film industry will produce an impressive output of USD 8.2 billion, contribute USD 5.1 billion to GDP and create around 387,000 jobs. This industry is projected to continue to grow with growth of 6.13%. “The Indonesian government continues to support the development of the film industry,” said Parulian Silalahi, Deputy Chief Representative of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing when opening Indonesia Film Week 2024 in his statement today.
This event began with a Symposium which presented discussions between important figures from the Indonesian and Chinese film industries.
Speakers attending the symposium were:
- Shierly Kosasih – CEO of Adhya Pictures
- Gandhi Priambodo – CEO of Nanyang Bridge Media
- Ihsan Chardiansyah – Head of B2B Marketing and Communications at Negara Film Production
- Tony LV – Chinese Film Association Investment Committee
- Muhammad Soleh Artiawan – Head of the Film Licensing Team at the Indonesian Film, Music and Media Directorate
- Herawan Sukohaji – Immigration Attache of the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing
- Celerina Judisari – Head of Business and Financing Division at the Indonesian Film Agency (BPI)
“After the easing of travel restrictions, there has been tremendous interest from Chinese production houses to make films in Indonesia. During 2022-2023, the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing received three requests to shoot films in Indonesia. “There are at least 3 reasons why Indonesia deserves to be a destination for film shooting locations, namely rich cultural heritage, qualified facilities and human resources, as well as effective and efficient film making costs,” said Dewi Avilia, Counselor/Coordinator of the Information, Social and Cultural Functions of the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing at the time. opened the Symposium.
This symposium discussed the development of the film industry in Indonesia and China as well as opportunities for cooperation in film production between the two countries. This discussion provides a platform to share insights about how Indonesia, with its natural and cultural riches, can be an ideal setting for international film production including the licensing process for shooting films in Indonesia.
The Indonesia Movie Weekend Festival also introduces Indonesia as a potential filming location for the international film industry. With natural beauty such as Lake Toba, Bali, Jakarta and Yogyakarta, as well as support from the Indonesian government, film makers in China are invited to consider Indonesia as an attractive and efficient production location.
This festival presents four films depicting various genres and themes, namely, Kadet 1947. This is a historical drama about the struggle of young Indonesian pilots in defending independence, which managed to amaze the audience with its strong visuals and storyline.
Second, Glenn Fredly The Movie. Biopic that tells the story of the life and musical legacy of Glenn Fredly, a much-loved legendary Indonesian musician.
Third, Easy Cuan, an entertaining and meaningful comedy drama about family dynamics and financial struggles.
Fourth, Bones. This is a heartwarming adventure comedy about a family’s journey in dealing with traditional customs in the modern era.
Film screenings at this festival succeeded in bringing Chinese audiences closer to various aspects of Indonesian life, from history to contemporary culture.
The audience and film industry players who attended gave positive responses to the quality of the Indonesian films being screened. They were impressed by the depth of the story, the quality of the production, and the potential for cooperation that could be developed between Indonesia and China in the film industry. The symposium speakers also emphasized the importance of cultural collaboration through film as a means of strengthening relations between nations.
The 2024 Indonesia Movie Weekend Festival in Beijing is not only an introduction to Indonesian cinema, but is also an important step in strengthening cultural relations between Indonesia and China.
It is hoped that this festival can open the door for more collaboration in the field of film between the two countries in the future. (D-2)
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Indonesia Embassy official website
**Interview with Parulian Silalahi, Deputy Chief Representative of the Republic of Indonesia in Beijing**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Parulian. The Indonesia Movie Weekend Festival in Beijing was quite a success! Can you tell us more about the purpose of this festival?
**Parulian Silalahi:** Thank you for having me! The primary purpose of the Indonesia Movie Weekend Festival is to showcase Indonesia’s rich cultural and natural heritage through film. We wanted to introduce our cinematic offerings to the Chinese audience while also promoting Indonesia as an attractive location for film production. With the growing interest from Chinese film industry players, we believe that this festival is a pivotal step in strengthening our collaboration.
**Interviewer:** It’s interesting to hear about the collaboration. What kind of feedback did you receive from the attendees and film industry representatives during the festival?
**Parulian Silalahi:** The response was overwhelmingly positive! We saw full seats and enthusiastic spectators throughout the event. Both the audience and industry professionals expressed great interest in the films showcased, and many discussions emerged about potential partnerships in filmmaking. The passion for storytelling that transcends cultures was evident, and that is what we aimed to highlight.
**Interviewer:** Can you elaborate on the symposium that kicked off the festival? What were some key topics discussed?
**Parulian Silalahi:** Certainly! The symposium provided a platform for important figures from both the Indonesian and Chinese film industries to share insights and discuss opportunities for collaboration. We covered various topics but focused on the growth of the Indonesian film industry, the licensing process for shooting films in Indonesia, and the unique advantages our country offers, such as stunning locations and a rich cultural backdrop.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a fruitful exchange! With Indonesia’s film industry projected to grow, what support is the government providing to ensure this growth?
**Parulian Silalahi:** The Indonesian government is deeply invested in cultivating the film industry. As you mentioned earlier, we produced significant revenue and job opportunities last year, and there’s a clear commitment to continue this trend. We’re working on improving facilities, regulations, and support systems to make the film-making process in Indonesia more efficient and attractive for international filmmakers.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what are your hopes for the future of Indonesia in the international film scene?
**Parulian Silalahi:** I hope to see Indonesia recognized as a premier location for international film production, renowned not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also for the stories we can tell through our films. I believe through continuous partnerships, we can create a vibrant and innovative film community that resonates globally, bridging cultures through cinema.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Parulian, for your insights. It’s exciting to see Indonesia’s film industry expanding on the world stage.
**Parulian Silalahi:** Thank you for the opportunity to share our vision! We look forward to more collaborations and showcasing the beauty of Indonesia through film.
