History of Indonesian Cinema - Quiz 1

What year was the first public cinema show held in Indonesian region?

• 1900

• 1909

• 1890

• 1809

Answer explanation

The first cinema entered Indonesia in 1900, exactly 5 December 1900 in the Tanah Abang region, Batavia.

What is the film distribution system in the free phase (pre-New Order era)?

• Commission after selling

• For the results

• Selling out

• Certain price

Answer explanation

The era of pre-New Order film trade was called the era of the American Motion Picture Association of Indonesia (AMPAI). The film distribution that was taking place at that time was dominated by the system of selling out and was run by regional dealers who usually doubles as brokers (intermediaries or brokers) and bookers (people who order or schedule movie screenings in theaters).

Films relating to realism and representation of social problems, EXCEPT?

• Love for Share (2006)

• Arisan! (2003)

• Get Married (2007)

• Janji Joni (2005)

Answer explanation

There are some films related to realism and representation of social issues. Nia Dinata’s Sharing Husband (Love for Share, 2006) is a film about polygamous life of three women in Jakarta who came from different religions, social classes and races, while Arisan! (The Gathering, 2003) represents the lifestyle of modern upper-class wives and the gay phenomenon. Riri Riza’s For Rena (Dear Rena, 2005) tells of the life in an orphanage in Puncak (an area near Jakarta). Nan Achnas directed Flag (The Flag, 2002), a story about some kids who pursue a flag through the slum alleys in kampungs. Hanung Bramantyo's End of School Notes (The School's Last Notes, 2004) tells a story of three looser students while Get Married (2007) focuses on a girl from a slum village trying to search for her soul-mate. Rudi Soedjarwo’s Suddenly Dangdut (Suddenly Dangdut, 2006) depicts the daily activities in a slum village to which the two main characters run away as fugitives and become a dangdut singer and the manager. Nanang Istiabudi’s Last Second (The Last Second, 2005) follows the characters dealing with lesbian life and narcotics. Viva Indonesia is an omnibus project (Ravi L. Bharwani, Aryo Danusiri, Asep Kusdinar, Lianto Lusenoand Nana Mulyana, 2001) and tells the story of four children from different regions sending letters to God.

Beside Kuldesak, Film that was played right after the fall of Suharto in 1998?

• Slamet Djarot’s “Marsinah”

• Garin Nugroho “Daun di Atas Bantal”

• Deddy Mizwar “Ketika”

• Deddy Mizwar “Naga Bonar Jadi Dua”

Answer explanation

there are a number of senior filmmakers who have been involved in the film industry since the New Order era and still make films in the post-Reformation era. One of Nugroho's films is Daun di Atas Bantal (1997) which was screened right after the fall of Soeharto in 1998.

Riri Riza and Mira Lesmana made films about the social and political problems of the Indonesian people under Miles Films. One of the films, Gie (2005), tells about?

• That some people suddenly ran for the people's representatives which then indeed had many posters and tried to win the hearts of the people.

• A legendary student activist in the 1960s who led a movement against President Soekarno in 1966 which ended in Sukarno's resignation.

• About politics from clean to dirty. Narrated in this film, Naga became a masseuse for politicians.

• Based on the true story of Agus Salim's diplomatic struggle to Egypt so that Indonesia can be recognized as an independent country.

Answer explanation

Riri Riza is one of the main figures in Kuldesak and I-Sinema movement. Riza, with Mira Lesmana as his producer, made some films and try to depict social and political issues of Indonesian people under Miles Films. One of the films is Gie (2005), a biopic of Soe Hok Gie, a legendary student activist in the 1960s who led a movement against President Soekarno in 1966 which ended up in the stepping down of Soekarno. Gie won Dragons & Tigers Award nominee at Vancouver International Film Festival 2005 and three Citra awards at 2006 Indonesian Film Festival and was screened on several international festivals.

Source: Ekky Imanjaya: A Neverending Battle, or The Backdoors of Jakarta.

The following films were banned or withdrawn from cinema theatre by New Order Government, except:

• Pocong

• Pembalasan Ratu Laut Selatan

• Ketika Musim Semi Tiba

• Petualang Petualang

Answer explanation

Pocong was released in 2006, during Reform era.

The following institutions were established in New Order era, except:

• Lembaga Sensor Film

• Dewan Film Nasional

• Badan Perfilman Indonesia

• Badan Sensor Film

Answer explanation

BPI  was founded in Reform era.

Film Institution founded in Reform era :

• Perfiki

• PARFI

• KFT

• INAFED

Answer explanation

INAFED (Indonesian Film Editor)