Indonesia as Film Country, Can You Imagine That?

Today, the government just published the new economy package. There are few things worth mentioning though. But above all of that, there are good news: the government finally seeing film as potential industry. So, what's the new policy's about? 

1. Foreigners now are free to open new cinemas in Indonesia

For so long, Indonesian cinema has been controlled by single entity. There are literally no competition. Thus, Indonesian films industry was subjected to oligarchy. Now, finally there's a chance where the big player will be challenged by even bigger player. Since the government now opening one hundred percent their access to foreign theater player, which is i believe, even bigger than Indonesia.

This could be a double edge swords though. Because opening the bottleneck soda will lead to an eruption. Theater industry in Indonesia will be subjected to capitalism. In the near future, there will be lots of movie theater which was owned by foreigner, thus the expense we spent to go to these theater will go straight to other country pockets. Just like in the food & beverage industry where we had to see the demises of the small and medium business to the reign of Starbucks, MCD, PH, KFC.

But worry not. There are the fail-safe. And i think this is the best news of all:

2. Every cinema had to screen minimal of 60% Indonesian film. 

Damn right. This could be the best news of all. I mean, Indonesian filmmaker now have a bigger chance to promote their films. There will be no another "Siti" who ironically get no place to screen the films but successfully winning Indonesian Film Festival 2015. Well, thought for every good things, there will always be bad practice since this regulation itself can be easily deceited. Imagine there are big sub par quantity of films, where only be made to fill the empty slot of 60% quota. 

We, as the market and consumer, had the power to change the bleak future in Indonesia film industry. Be smart, and watch only the high quality film that make you even smarter just by watching them. 

Finally after being excluded from any of the older package, the goverment seeing film as the industry that can potentially lift this country economy. The big question is, can you imagine Indonesia as film country? From my skeptical point-of-view, yes i can. There are so many talented filmmaker i've stumbled upon my journey in the indie films world. Meanwhile, please enjoy the short promotional film that my lab buddies created. So proud of them.