A century-long history of Indonesian cinema
Although the first Indonesian feature film dates back to the 1920s, the colonizers introduced the seventh art to Indonesia at the beginning of the twentieth century. Initially reserved for the elite, these screenings were mainly short films or documentaries aimed at Western audiences. And local productions, often sponsored by the government of the Dutch Indies, were made by European studios before being screened in cinemas owned by these same studios. In 1926, after an unsuccessful first attempt, the first Indonesian feature film saw the light of day. Produced and directed by L. Heuveldorp and G. Krugers, Loetoeng Kasaroeng brought to the screen the Sundanese legend of the Lost Lutung, in which a young woman falls in love with a monkey with magical powers. A film now lost, but one that marked the beginnings of a powerful film industry.
An industry marked by many outside influences, starting with Chinese cinema. Indeed, it was from Indonesia's Chinese community that many pre-war Indonesian films, inspired by the Shanghai style, were produced. This production in turn inspired Indonesian filmmakers such as The Teng Chun, one of the most prolific directors of the 1930s and 1940s. His films were inspired by local tales and legends, but also by modern stories tinged with romanticism and populated with captivating action scenes. Among these, La rose de Cikembang (1931), Serpents blancs et noirs (1934) and Oh, mère! (1938) invite us to escape and discover, while depicting the different Indonesian communities of the past.
During the years of Japanese occupation, local production was either muzzled or hijacked for propaganda purposes. It wasn't until 1945 and Independence that cinema was able to regain its rights in the now-liberated Indonesian territory. Under President Sunarto (1945-1967) and his successor Suharto (1998), state control of the cinema was maintained. This situation contributed to the artistic decline of national film production, which was often used to create propaganda films while being subject to strict censorship. Revisiting the events of the September 30th Movement, for example, is both a promising and risky subject for local filmmakers, who prefer to turn to commercial productions of less artistic quality, but more likely to draw large crowds.
Nevertheless, this period saw the introduction of the Citra Awards for national cinema, which have been presented since 1955 at the Indonesian Film Festival in Jakarta.
By the 1980s, Indonesian cinema was reaching beyond its borders and entering international festivals, while continuing to bring more and more viewers into the country's cinemas. In 1988, Tjoet Nja' Dhien, a biopic by Eros Djarot recounting the anti-colonial struggle of war leader Cut Nyak Dhien, was screened at the Critics' Week of the Cannes Film Festival. Unfortunately, this growing reputation was not enough to prevent the decline of Indonesian cinema in the 1990s, plagued by funding problems and a lack of state support. Whereas in 1990, more than a hundred Indonesian films were produced, the number dropped to 9 local productions by 1999. Since the end of the Suharto regime and the development of a new generation of Indonesian filmmakers, national cinema is once again making a name for itself, both with audiences and abroad. This is the era of The Raid (2011), a brutal and captivating action film that won awards at numerous international events and will be followed by a sequel in 2014. It's also a period of new genres and new mediums for Indonesian cinema. After a first animated film, The Warrior and the Goddess, which can now be seen online, other productions and co-productions are following suit. In the horror genre, filmmaker Joko Anwar is causing a sensation, winning numerous awards with Satan's Slaves and Impetigore (2019).
Today, thanks to new government subsidies and an expanded distribution network, Indonesian cinema is going from strength to strength, as it continues to win back audiences and international festivals. Director Edwin's comedy Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (2021) recently won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival, while Yuni, the latest film by Indonesian filmmaker Kamila Andini, won the Platform Prize at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival the same year. A bright future for Indonesian cinema in the decades to come.
Films shot in Indonesia
Indonesia may not have been the land of major film shoots, but it was nonetheless the subject of one of the most striking documentaries of the 2010s. Released in 2012, The Act of Killing by directors Christine Cynn and Joshua Oppenheimer shone a powerful spotlight on the genocidal atrocities of 1965 in Indonesia. And because most of these still go unpunished, the filmmakers were able to meet yesterday's torturers and have them re-enact their atrocities, which these executioners do with terrifying zeal and composure. This shock documentary has won dozens of awards, and was even nominated for an Oscar in 2014.
But the country also welcomes lighter films, and can boast of having welcomed actress Julia Roberts on its soil for the mythical Eat, Pray, Love alongside Javier Bardem. A touching romantic comedy that will take you around the world, but also on a visit to Ubud, the rice terraces of Tegallalang and the beach of Padang Padang. Idyllic locations that will allow Julia Roberts' character to find herself and rebuild her life, just like you perhaps?
In 2022, Julia Roberts returns to Indonesia in Ticket to Paradise, alongside George Clooney. An impressive duo, but Indonesian settings that are actually... Australian. This is unfortunate, as the country's beaches could have been the perfect setting for this mischievous romantic comedy, in which the two actors work together to try and put an end to a marriage they disapprove of. It's a hilarious film, but one we'd still like to see.
One thing is certain: Hollywood is not finished with Indonesia. The latest film to be shot in Jakarta: scenes from the highly-anticipated fifth and final season of Stranger Things, a Netflix production already seen by tens of millions of fans. Twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, who have been at the helm of the series since 2016, will bring their sci-fi adventure to a close with a bang. A finale that promises to be epic, and also augurs great possibilities for future filming in Indonesia.
Seeing movies in Indonesia
Cinema is a very popular art form in Indonesia. Before the pandemic, nearly 40 million moviegoers visited Indonesian cinemas every year, and by 2020 the number had risen to over 230. This enthusiasm has not waned, driven by major chains such as Cinema XXI and CGV, which own over 1,500 screens across the country. The CGV Grand Indonesia, housed in Jakarta's shopping mall of the same name, is the country's largest complex, with 11 screens, a 4DX theater and the chance to enjoy a film in the most comfortable way possible: under a comforter and in a good bed. It's an experience we recommend to everyone, film buffs or not. Since 2019, the CGV Grand Indonesia has also been offering Screen X technology, a triple projection limited to specific films, but which will transport you into impressive universes. And it's not just in Jakarta that you'll find cinemas, far from it. In Bandung, the Movie Park lets you enjoy a film in the open air. You can also enjoy this experience at the Ungasan Clifftop Resort, on the peninsula south of Denpasar. And in Ubud, head to Cinema Paradiso, a smaller but cosy cinema with a rich program of new discoveries. More unusual, the island of Bali is also home to a number of 5D theaters: small spaces where you can experience amazing films, halfway between an attraction and a cinema screening. Visit the shopping malls of Legian, Nusa Dua and many others.
For film buffs and history buffs, Jakarta's Sinematek Indonesiana is also worth a visit. The oldest institution of its kind in Southeast Asia, Sinematek was founded in 1975 by filmmakers Misbach Yusa Biran and Asrul Sani with the aim of preserving the country's cultural heritage. With over 2,700 films in its collections, and several thousand unique documents relating to the history of Indonesian cinema, this archive is a global treasure trove, sadly insufficiently supported by the government. Don't hesitate to take a look around, and check out the program of screenings.
As for fans of red carpets and international stars, the capital is also the venue for the annual Indonesian Film Festival, the equivalent of the American Oscars and French Césars, which we mentioned earlier. Occasionally interrupted since its creation in 1955, but revived in 2004, this gala showcases the Indonesian talent of today and tomorrow. It rewards the best filmmakers, actresses, films and technicians in the industry, as well as short films, documentaries and animated features, enabling you to discover the full wealth of contemporary Indonesian cinema.
