Islam as a political force in 1960s Indonesia was known for its involvement in the 1965 massacre ... more Islam as a political force in 1960s Indonesia was known for its involvement in the 1965 massacre of members and sympathizers of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), whereby the discourse was perceived to justify the killings. Through an examination of Tauhid (1964), written and directed by writer-director Asrul Sani, this paper examines Sani’s position as a quasi-secular artist-activist who had to defend his art in the context of the “revolution” or “anti-imperialism” that dominated 1960s Indonesia. More than answering the “cultural offensives” from leftist artists at that time, Tauhid raises concerns on the quest for relevance—if not the insecurity—of Islam in modern Indonesia while pondering the idea of Islam as the foundation for national identity in Indonesia.
Keywords: Islamic films; Indonesia; Islam and cinema; Indonesian cinema;
film and hajj; Islam and modernism
This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , whi... more This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , which mostly occupied Indonesian screens in 1970s to 1980s. The portrayal is full of stereotype, in which the Dutch officials, as the colonial authority, are portrayed as “immoral” Westerners who are unjust and having insatiable appetite towards financial accumulation. This portrayal is always coupled with depiction of the films’ arch-protagonists as heroes who fight colonialism, and are equipped with religious justification and self-righteousness, which enable them to acquire superhuman strength. The stereotyping of the Dutch in these films should be seen as a further strategy in a different context, in relation to two main reasons. First, this modern day stereotype should be seen in post-colonial discourse as the effort to situate Indonesian national identity in popular cognizance. Secondly, it is not a coincidence that the portrayal of Indonesian heroism in the colonial resistance moveme...
This paper starts from an old problem that has hampered the Indonesian film industry: the lack of... more This paper starts from an old problem that has hampered the Indonesian film industry: the lack of comprehensive data. This is a problem for all film stakeholders, who cannot depend on macroeconomic indicators in running their business. From here, this paper attempts to answer the questions 'how should we correctly calculate the contribution of films, or the film industry, to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product?' and 'how should we measure the economic impact of the film industry outside of the Gross Domestic Product?'. From there this paper explores several methods to measure the impact of the film economy on Gross Domestic Product, and/or calculate the economic potential of film, as well as highlighting the multiplier effect of this industry in other sectors. In the context of an increasing number of cinema screens, there is a need to see whether the layered effect of Indonesian cinemas is currently having a significant impact, or whether it will have a significant impact in the near future. Another thing to understand is the current state of the industry, and what policies can further support its contribution to the Indonesian economy.
Buku yang unik karena membahas dunia film di Indonesia, bukan dari sisi kreatif nya namun sisi ek... more Buku yang unik karena membahas dunia film di Indonesia, bukan dari sisi kreatif nya namun sisi ekonomi dan politiknya. Buku dengan tebal 374 halaman ini cocok untuk para orang yang ber-kecimplung di industri film khususnya sutradara dan produser. Bahasan dan data yang disajikan di buku ini sangatlah kuat. Mampu memberikan sebuah alasan dan jawaban yang sering di pertanyakan oleh pecinta film di Indonesia. “Mengapa banyak film receh di Indonesia?”, jawabannya menurut buku ini pada tahun itu karena dalam perekonomian film di Indonesia tidak ada posisi tawar menawar oleh distributor-eksebitor karena resiko bisnis film yang tinggi. Sehingga beban untuk promosi kadang-kadang harus ditanggung oleh produser sendiri. Kalau diliat dari sisi kreatif, banyak sutradara di Indonesia yang muncul karena otodidak atau belajar sendiri
Buku yang merangkum delapan tulisan pengamat film dari Thailand, Malaysia, Singapura, dan Indones... more Buku yang merangkum delapan tulisan pengamat film dari Thailand, Malaysia, Singapura, dan Indonesia ini membincangkan sinema Asia Tenggara kontemporer dari dua perspektif: estetika dan produksi yang tentu saja berkelindan dengan proses-proses politik, sosial dan ekonomi di kawasan tersebut. Melihat panorama perfilman di Asia Tenggara pada akhirnya bagaikan meliahat penentuan siapa patut turun ke gelangang dan siapa yang mesti masuk kandang sebagai bagian dari proses bangsa-bangsa itu meuju kedewasaan
This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , whi... more This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , which mostly occupied Indonesian screens in 1970s to 1980s. The portrayal is full of stereotype, in which the Dutch officials, as the colonial authority, are portrayed as “immoral” Westerners who are unjust and having insatiable appetite towards financial accumulation. This portrayal is always coupled with depiction of the films’ arch-protagonists as heroes who fight colonialism, and are equipped with religious justification and self-righteousness, which enable them to acquire superhuman strength.
The stereotyping of the Dutch in these films should be seen as a further strategy in a different context, in relation to two main reasons. First, this modern day stereotype should be seen in post-colonial discourse as the effort to situate Indonesian national identity in popular cognizance. Secondly, it is not a coincidence that the portrayal of Indonesian heroism in the colonial resistance movements is done in conjunction with national and religious (particularly Islamic) identity since there has been an overlap between national and Islamic identity in development of post-colonial discourse in Indonesia. In the light of examination of popular narrative in Indonesian b-movies, especially on “colonial actions film genre”, this paper will provide insights into formation of national identity, religious tension and post-colonial situation.
The paper examines the idea of "film nasional" in Indonesia as it was conveyed in a speech made b... more The paper examines the idea of "film nasional" in Indonesia as it was conveyed in a speech made by Dr. Seno Gumira Ajidarma, a well-known writer and lecturer of film studies in The Jakarta Art Institute during the commemoration of Indonesian National Film Day in 2014. Dr. Ajidarma proposed an alternative way of seeing 'Indonesian national cinema' as parallel existence of 'modern' and 'traditional' idioms in the narrative practices, and this paper goes further to critically examine the criteria set by Dr. Ajidarma, and proposes yet totally different trajectory in taking identity politics in Indonesian cinema.
Islam as a political force in 1960s Indonesia was known for its involvement in the 1965 massacre ... more Islam as a political force in 1960s Indonesia was known for its involvement in the 1965 massacre of members and sympathizers of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), whereby the discourse was perceived to justify the killings. Through an examination of Tauhid (1964), written and directed by writer-director Asrul Sani, this paper examines Sani’s position as a quasi-secular artist-activist who had to defend his art in the context of the “revolution” or “anti-imperialism” that dominated 1960s Indonesia. More than answering the “cultural offensives” from leftist artists at that time, Tauhid raises concerns on the quest for relevance—if not the insecurity—of Islam in modern Indonesia while pondering the idea of Islam as the foundation for national identity in Indonesia.
Keywords: Islamic films; Indonesia; Islam and cinema; Indonesian cinema;
film and hajj; Islam and modernism
This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , whi... more This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , which mostly occupied Indonesian screens in 1970s to 1980s. The portrayal is full of stereotype, in which the Dutch officials, as the colonial authority, are portrayed as “immoral” Westerners who are unjust and having insatiable appetite towards financial accumulation. This portrayal is always coupled with depiction of the films’ arch-protagonists as heroes who fight colonialism, and are equipped with religious justification and self-righteousness, which enable them to acquire superhuman strength. The stereotyping of the Dutch in these films should be seen as a further strategy in a different context, in relation to two main reasons. First, this modern day stereotype should be seen in post-colonial discourse as the effort to situate Indonesian national identity in popular cognizance. Secondly, it is not a coincidence that the portrayal of Indonesian heroism in the colonial resistance moveme...
This paper starts from an old problem that has hampered the Indonesian film industry: the lack of... more This paper starts from an old problem that has hampered the Indonesian film industry: the lack of comprehensive data. This is a problem for all film stakeholders, who cannot depend on macroeconomic indicators in running their business. From here, this paper attempts to answer the questions 'how should we correctly calculate the contribution of films, or the film industry, to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product?' and 'how should we measure the economic impact of the film industry outside of the Gross Domestic Product?'. From there this paper explores several methods to measure the impact of the film economy on Gross Domestic Product, and/or calculate the economic potential of film, as well as highlighting the multiplier effect of this industry in other sectors. In the context of an increasing number of cinema screens, there is a need to see whether the layered effect of Indonesian cinemas is currently having a significant impact, or whether it will have a significant impact in the near future. Another thing to understand is the current state of the industry, and what policies can further support its contribution to the Indonesian economy.
Buku yang unik karena membahas dunia film di Indonesia, bukan dari sisi kreatif nya namun sisi ek... more Buku yang unik karena membahas dunia film di Indonesia, bukan dari sisi kreatif nya namun sisi ekonomi dan politiknya. Buku dengan tebal 374 halaman ini cocok untuk para orang yang ber-kecimplung di industri film khususnya sutradara dan produser. Bahasan dan data yang disajikan di buku ini sangatlah kuat. Mampu memberikan sebuah alasan dan jawaban yang sering di pertanyakan oleh pecinta film di Indonesia. “Mengapa banyak film receh di Indonesia?”, jawabannya menurut buku ini pada tahun itu karena dalam perekonomian film di Indonesia tidak ada posisi tawar menawar oleh distributor-eksebitor karena resiko bisnis film yang tinggi. Sehingga beban untuk promosi kadang-kadang harus ditanggung oleh produser sendiri. Kalau diliat dari sisi kreatif, banyak sutradara di Indonesia yang muncul karena otodidak atau belajar sendiri
Buku yang merangkum delapan tulisan pengamat film dari Thailand, Malaysia, Singapura, dan Indones... more Buku yang merangkum delapan tulisan pengamat film dari Thailand, Malaysia, Singapura, dan Indonesia ini membincangkan sinema Asia Tenggara kontemporer dari dua perspektif: estetika dan produksi yang tentu saja berkelindan dengan proses-proses politik, sosial dan ekonomi di kawasan tersebut. Melihat panorama perfilman di Asia Tenggara pada akhirnya bagaikan meliahat penentuan siapa patut turun ke gelangang dan siapa yang mesti masuk kandang sebagai bagian dari proses bangsa-bangsa itu meuju kedewasaan
This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , whi... more This paper intends to examine the portrayal of the Dutch colonialism in Indonesian b-movies , which mostly occupied Indonesian screens in 1970s to 1980s. The portrayal is full of stereotype, in which the Dutch officials, as the colonial authority, are portrayed as “immoral” Westerners who are unjust and having insatiable appetite towards financial accumulation. This portrayal is always coupled with depiction of the films’ arch-protagonists as heroes who fight colonialism, and are equipped with religious justification and self-righteousness, which enable them to acquire superhuman strength.
The stereotyping of the Dutch in these films should be seen as a further strategy in a different context, in relation to two main reasons. First, this modern day stereotype should be seen in post-colonial discourse as the effort to situate Indonesian national identity in popular cognizance. Secondly, it is not a coincidence that the portrayal of Indonesian heroism in the colonial resistance movements is done in conjunction with national and religious (particularly Islamic) identity since there has been an overlap between national and Islamic identity in development of post-colonial discourse in Indonesia. In the light of examination of popular narrative in Indonesian b-movies, especially on “colonial actions film genre”, this paper will provide insights into formation of national identity, religious tension and post-colonial situation.
The paper examines the idea of "film nasional" in Indonesia as it was conveyed in a speech made b... more The paper examines the idea of "film nasional" in Indonesia as it was conveyed in a speech made by Dr. Seno Gumira Ajidarma, a well-known writer and lecturer of film studies in The Jakarta Art Institute during the commemoration of Indonesian National Film Day in 2014. Dr. Ajidarma proposed an alternative way of seeing 'Indonesian national cinema' as parallel existence of 'modern' and 'traditional' idioms in the narrative practices, and this paper goes further to critically examine the criteria set by Dr. Ajidarma, and proposes yet totally different trajectory in taking identity politics in Indonesian cinema.
A short article about the development of 'sensory ethnography' in the context of Indonesian docum... more A short article about the development of 'sensory ethnography' in the context of Indonesian documentary film culture. Written as an addition to programming note for 'Sensory Ethnography Lab' section at 2019's Festival Film Dokumenter Yogyakarta.
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Papers by Eric Sasono
Keywords: Islamic films; Indonesia; Islam and cinema; Indonesian cinema;
film and hajj; Islam and modernism
The stereotyping of the Dutch in these films should be seen as a further strategy in a different context, in relation to two main reasons. First, this modern day stereotype should be seen in post-colonial discourse as the effort to situate Indonesian national identity in popular cognizance. Secondly, it is not a coincidence that the portrayal of Indonesian heroism in the colonial resistance movements is done in conjunction with national and religious (particularly Islamic) identity since there has been an overlap between national and Islamic identity in development of post-colonial discourse in Indonesia. In the light of examination of popular narrative in Indonesian b-movies, especially on “colonial actions film genre”, this paper will provide insights into formation of national identity, religious tension and post-colonial situation.
Keywords: Islamic films; Indonesia; Islam and cinema; Indonesian cinema;
film and hajj; Islam and modernism
The stereotyping of the Dutch in these films should be seen as a further strategy in a different context, in relation to two main reasons. First, this modern day stereotype should be seen in post-colonial discourse as the effort to situate Indonesian national identity in popular cognizance. Secondly, it is not a coincidence that the portrayal of Indonesian heroism in the colonial resistance movements is done in conjunction with national and religious (particularly Islamic) identity since there has been an overlap between national and Islamic identity in development of post-colonial discourse in Indonesia. In the light of examination of popular narrative in Indonesian b-movies, especially on “colonial actions film genre”, this paper will provide insights into formation of national identity, religious tension and post-colonial situation.