Indonesian Cinematographer Win at London International Film Festival 2007

Jakarta, Kompas.

Animator Wahyu Aditya and director Riri Riza amazed British film industry. Aditya crowned as International Young Screen Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2007, meanwhile the movie Tiga Hari untuk Selamanya (Three Days Forever) by Riri Riza praised as the best movie at London International Film Festival 2007.

Aditya is the first movie maker in the world who gained International Young Screen Entrepreneur of The Year from British Council.  His award given in celebration night at Apollo Theatre West End-London, Thursday night on local time or Friday (26/10) on West Indonesian Time (GMT +7). He won upon his competitor from India, China, Brazil, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Nigeria, and Lebanon. Judges council evaluate that Aditya succeeded to combine creativity, idealism, and business at very young age. As a winner, Aditya got prize amount of 7.500 poundsterling (about Rp 138 million). Those money will used by him to funding his animation movie and playing park which inspired by his own created characters. At the age of 27, Aditya succeeded became a success animator, founded animation school Hellomotion, and initiate HelloFest! animation festival yearly which attended by 10.000 young movie goers around Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Riri Riza’s movie showed at this festival as the only one Indonesian participant between another 329 participants of London International Film Festival this year. Famous British critic Tony Rayns praised this movie as “a work that shake conservatism in Indonesia.” Nicholas Saputra and Adinia Wirasti are star in that movie. (ELN). 

This article originally wrote on bahasa Indonesia, translate into English by Bhayu M.H. from source: Kompas daily newspaper. Saturday, October 27, 2007.

The Youth Oath Day

Today, October 28, known as The Youth Oath Day in our country, Indonesia. In 1928, 20 delegates which consists of hundreds youth gathered in Batavia (later Jakarta) to held The Youth Congress. This moment is significant for our country, because at the first time they realize the will to be free and standing as independent country. Our country is not established yet,  even the people not recognize themselves as one nationhood. But in this congress, the youth declared what they called The Youth Oath. Here it is:

1. We, the youth of Indonesia, declared that we have one nation, it is Indonesia.
2. We, the youth of Indonesia, have one motherland, that is Indonesia.
3. We, the youth of Indonesia, using only one unity language, it is bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language).

Today, to commemorate this historical event, many youth generation will declared “The New Youth Oath” which called “The Rise of Youth Oath” at Hotel Indonesia circle at the centre of Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. Many Indonesian artists, celebrities, and activists will come to participate.

David Copperfield Cancel His Show to Indonesia

This is actually not a kind of communication news, but I want to see this as a case. It is how good advertising works, it still useless whenever there is no commitment from the other line of business. Whenever the promoter from Indonesia decide to invite any artist, they spend their money already. This is long and complicated business forecasting of course.
News spread that David still under investigation of FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) for sexual harassment accusation. But there is no explanation from his management what the reason for this cancellation. Beside David plan to show at Jakarta on October, 23-28, 2007, he cancel his performance also at Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Indonesian promoter for David show at Indonesia -Buena Production- will sue David management for this incident. They will sue for US$ 3 million forfeit in US court using US lawyer.
For this law case, Peter Basuki from Buena Production had asked Indonesian custom authority to detain and seal David properties which arrive already at Tanjung Priok harbor, Jakarta. About all tickets that already sold, Buena Production promise to return all money to all buyer without exception. Without doubt, promoter cost many because they spend their money for promotion, venue, advertising, etc.

Komnas HAM plan to establish community radio

National Commission on Human Rights of the Republic of Indonesia or Komnas HAM (Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia) plan to establish community radio station to accelerated society’s knowledge about human rights. Indonesian daily newspaper Seputar Indonesia ask Yosep Adi Prasetyo –usually called Stanley- as Komnas HAM’s sub-committee of education and information about it and he said, “What we have not yet is frequency permit, but we still doing on it. We have target that this radio can broadcast as soon as possible.”

About the content of this community radio, Stanley said it will be program which have direct relationship with human rights violation case and still handle by Komnas HAM. “We will broadcast case study which we think have a good potent to violate human rights.” Beside preparing for community radio, Komnas HAM will ask one hour program to RRI (Radio Republik Indonesia-the Republic of Indonesia Radio as national radio) per week to broadcast Komnas HAM’s program.

 

This article originally write on bahasa Indonesia, rewrite by Bhayu M.H. from source : Seputar Indonesia daily newspaper. Thursday, October 18, 2007. p. 3.

More mistakes in West Wing series 1 episode 7

Like I promised before, I continuing my writing about this Emmy award old TV-Drama. Not to bother anybody, just for documentation in internet. Because I find no adequate response about this at that time, meanwhile blog is not popular yet at the time this serial broadcasted. So, although this is old issue, I write it down anyway for anybody want to know the truth about Indonesia. For clarity, I put it in pointers. 

• The name and actor choosing for Indonesian character is not good enough. They look more like Japanese than Indonesian. Only Indonesian President acted by Indonesian man named Ariono Suriawinata. The other by American-Japanese (Nelson Mashita as Minaldi, state interpreter) and American-German (Peter Kors as Rahmadi Sumahidjo Bambang, Indonesian Deputy). Many Indonesian has no family name, although several ethnic has. My name for example, has no family name although another Javanese has. The name Rahmadi Sumahidjo Bambang is unusual, because Bambang is first name. So, it must be Bambang Rahmadi Sumahidjo or Bambang Sumahidjo Rahmadi. Awkwardly, he stated by Minaldi as Batak, meanwhile this Bambang name is clearly Javanese name. I guess the scriptwriter of this episode inspired by the name of one Indonesian rich man, who’s owned McDonalds franchise throughout all Indonesia. He is Bambang N. Rachmadi. Even the Indonesian President name is Rahm Siguto! Beside influenced by this Indonesian McDonalds franchisee boss, the name showed that the president is half Japanese maybe. J (Siguto is not Indonesian name at all, except they changed to Sugito which Javanese).
• Although became background information only, there are three scenes that Donna Moss -Joshua Lyman secretary- spread information about massacre in Indonesia. Considering this TV-drama making and broadcasting year in 1999, it should be Malang and surrounding incident. Yes, there was doubt in Indonesian government bodies including police to take appropriate and fast action to law enforcement at that time. Because they are frightened to be accused by international bodies as the actor of human right violation. There are more than 100 victims which died because they were accused as sorcerer. But one thing that I want to stress here is, that incident only happened once and only in Java Island. Indonesia as a nation have more than 700 ethnics which can bring up problem in their daily life because their different culture and way of life. That incident is not happened daily in our country. We are peaceful people, indeed.
• There is one scene showed photo session for presidential palace journalist. I think it is unusual to put their nation flag behind each own leader. The usual way is change position. So The Star & Stripes should put behind Indonesian President, meanwhile Sang Saka Merah Putih (The Sacred Red and White) put behind US President.
• In any official state party, it is impossible for host to abandon their guest. There is more than one scene that US President can leave the party just for given information by his staff about condition happened outside the palace.
• American audience seems didn’t care enough for that entire mistake facts about Indonesia. They put their attention more to Sam Seaborn scandal with Brittany ‘Laurie’ Rollins. FYI, in this TV-drama, the character of Brittany is Sam’s friend. But those White House staff looked fall in love with her. The problem is Brittany ‘night job’ as call girl which has negative image. In this episode, Sam seemed have a lunch together with Brittany and in that moment Brittany told Sam that she had ‘night job’ that night. Surprisingly, Brittany ‘night job’ is to accompany one big entrepreneur to attend party at White House, when she meets Seaborn there. American audience criticized that is impossible for anybody to enter official party in White House without clear identity like name, address, and social security number. I don’t know about the White House procedure, but I agree it seems too easy for people to enter presidential palace. It can be dangerous for the president himself of course.

However, I conclude the same way like The Jakarta Post did: “it’s just fiction, anyway.” But unfortunately, a fiction like this commonly more influenced in people’s awareness because the choice of ‘the right way’ to communicate the message itself. It is entertaining and audio-visual. Just like hoax which Bush did that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Many American people believe because he communicate this fake fact with right communication way. And this is one of the negative impacts of communication using.   

Indonesian Leader Communication Style at Idul Fitri

Both President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia had try to communicate with their constituent through different communication style commemorating Idul Fitri, one of the most significant holy day for Muslim. At the first day of Idul Fitri 1428 H. (13/10), President General (ret.) Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono organized open house in Presidential Palace for his family, bureaucrats, diplomats, and public. Several day after, on Wednesday (17/10) he visited Kampung Rambutan bus terminal  on incidental inspection. Afterwards, he went to Indonesian State Police headquarters to hear reports from police about traffic control. FYI Indonesian peoples have unique tradition called “mudik” (back to homeland) because many Indonesian are local migrants (from village to city). When this holiday came, at least once in a year they back to homeland and this activity implied to full traffic in every mode of transportation.

In the other side, Vice President Drs. Jusuf Kalla looked more attractive with his actions. He gave exclusive interview for Metro TV as the only one news television in Indonesia. This exclusive interview broadcasted he and his family gathered at that Islamic holiday at his house. Beside that, at the first day of Idul Fitri after Id praying (13/10), he also organized open house at his official residence for public and bureaucrats. But Indonesian peoples watching his move when he went to several Indonesian former leaders. At the first day of Idul Fitri, he visited ex-President Megawati Soekarnoputri, ex-President K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid, and ex-President Prof. Dr. Ing. B.J. Habibie. He continued this rally at the second day of Idul Fitri (14/10),whenever he visited ex Vice President General (ret.) Try Sutrisno, ex-longest President Great General (ret.) H.M. Suharto, ex-Indonesian House of Representative Chairman Ir. Akbar Tandjung, Indonesian Supreme Court Chairman Prof. Bagir Manan, and Constitution Court Chairman Prof. Jimly Ashiddique. What I questioned about this rally is Kalla’s decision to visit new Governor of DKI Jakarta (Greater Jakarta Special Capital Province) Dr.Ing. H. Fauzi Bowo whose notabene his undirect staff. This action is unusual for Indonesian culture.

Rumours spread amongst politician that Kalla’s move done as the preparation for next Presidential election at 2009. But Kalla himself refused that opinion and said that only usual visiting to honor former leader of the nation.

However, they have choose their own way to communicate their care and participation in this most significant holy day for Indonesian peoples, considerate most of Indonesian people are Muslim (Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world. It has approximately 190 million Muslim.) They try to put each of them as good leader who had big respect to religion, as Indonesia is religious -although have secular national principle- country. This communication action hopefully will boost support for each of them from Indonesian peoples, especially from their constituent at general election.

Photo caption and source: 

Left: Indonesian President and his family at Idul Fitri’s open house. Source:http://www.presidenri.go.id/index.php/galeri/berita/2007/10/13/227.html Right: Indonesian Vice President visiting Soeharto, ex-President. Source:http://www.seputar-indonesia.com/edisicetak/sumatera-selatan/sby-open-house-jk-road-show-3.html

West Wing, One of Indonesian Government Lacking in Communication.

I just buy original DVD titled West Wing. This is old TV-drama series produced in year 1999-2002.  I just surprised there is one episode that I missed when those series broadcasted by Indonesian television (if I don’t wrong to remember, it is RCTI). What make me surprised is not about how can I have missed that episode, but exactly that episode told about our country, Indonesia.Yes, right. Indonesia is big country. We have territory as big as United States. We have 220 million citizens, the big four in the world (after China, United States, and India). We are the richest country in nature source amongst another country of the world. We have many good thing inside our country indeed. But for foreigner abroad, Indonesia more seen as terrorist’s country because of Bali bombing in 2001. Also our longest President stamped as the most money stealer dictator in the world by StAR (Stolen Asset Recovery) of United Nations.

Back to the topic, in that episode of West Wing, again Indonesia misunderstood by the West. Although that movie told us about the activity of “All The President’s Men” which represented the government of United States, we just realize that many disinformation about our country had been spread. That 7^th episode itself titled “The State Dinner” and have main story about the officially state visit of new Indonesian president to United States. Original air date of this episode (Season 1, Episode 7) is 10 November 1999.

One scene in that movie showed when Leo Thomas Mc.Garry (John Spencer) ask Joshua Lyman (Bradley Whitford) to solve the problem appeared when interpreter of the state report his knowledge about language. The interpreter name is Minaldi (Nelson Mashita) and he questioned by Leo: “Do you speak Indonesian, don’t you?” And the statement that Minaldi made in the movie is: “There is no such of language an Indonesian. Indonesian speak 583 different languages.”

Oh, c’mon. Are you nuts, guys? Indonesian language officially called Bahasa Indonesia, has established even before the declaration of independence of the country itself. It declared as nation language when The Youth Oath conference (Sumpah Pemuda) held on 1928, meanwhile the Republic of Indonesia declaration of independence happened in 1945. This event is important for our country, because in history hundreds of youth gathering and held a congress to start the new consciousness as an independent country. FYI, our country still under colonization of the Dutch at that time. Since that moment, we accelerated struggle to establish our own independent country. The roots of the language itself come from bahasa Melayu (Malay language) as lingua franca of the trader around Malaccan straits since the era equivalent with middle ages throughout Europe. Just for stressing, Malay language is not Malaysian language which will create later. Malay language still used by our people in Riau province and surrounding areas. There are big kingdom called Sriwijaya which became the centre of excellence for Buddhism learning in the world which established already at one of our big city named SwarnaBhumi (now Palembang) at Sumatra island. Sriwijaya kingdom established since 5th century until 10th century. Malay language became one of their official language at that ancient time.

Nowadays, with many problems in our country since the reform in 1998, bahasa Indonesia is the main tools of integration band amongst our peoples. Even in Timor-Timur, ex our province which gave a status as independent country since 2003 by United Nations, bahasa Indonesia still applied as main language although their hatred government give restriction. Bahasa Indonesia is established and well-known. It is not only used in Indonesia territory only, but partially also used commonly in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and Suriname, although it is not stated as official language. As the leader of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations), Indonesia using bahasa Indonesia officially in summit or conference. It also used at many international occasions (Indonesia is Islamic Conference Organization member and former leader of OPEC-Organization of Petroleum Exporters Countries, beside two times non-permanent member of UN Security Council). Next time maybe the scriptwriter and producer of West Wing must ask Bill Gates first. Because even Microsoft put bahasa Indonesia in their language list and have special language interface of bahasa Indonesia. Shameful, there is no respond from Indonesian government recorded. About this TV-drama episode, I also found one article from English newspaper The Jakarta Post published in Indonesia titled “‘The West Wing’ looks at puzzle of Indonesia” by Antariksawan Jusuf and Haryanto, dated July 28, 2001 below:

Some details of the show reveal a bit of a lack of knowledge of what Indonesia is all about. For example, the appearance of misled state interpreter Minaldi and a Portuguese Batak-speaking cook are wasted in cultural blunders.Claiming there is no such language as Indonesian because Indonesians speak 583 different languages, Minaldi then sets out proving the opposite. Minaldi, who claims he speaks Javanese, said that the cook and presidential aide Bambang Sumahidjo (certainly a Javanese by his name) only speak Batak together. Then, in the actual scene, all three converse in Indonesian.

Still, the writers of the episode also take a bold step in depicting an alleged “standard practice” of American diplomats toward their counterparts from developing nations in a scene when Ziegler harangues Bambang about the imprisonment of his friend, a Frenchman, in Indonesia for organizing antigovernment demonstrations. Another probable Indonesian clunker comes through when Ziegler advises him to have the authorities drive the man “to the border and let him go”, which would be impossible in the archipelagic country unless the man was being held in Kalimantan or Irian Jaya.

…

The West Wing, unlike many Hollywood movies and U.S. series, it shows Americans for once on the losing side. But it’s just fiction anyway.

I also find criticism  by Rahadyan Sastrowardoyo, (who says he “is half Indonesian, half Filipino and all Noo Yawker”) that the language problem in “The State Dinner” was not accurate to this world. You can see in this site: http://westwing.bewarne.com/discontinuity/languages.html. Actually, there are several facts that missunderstood in this episode of TV-drama. I will talk about it later.

 

Japanese journalist killed in Myanmar

Friday, Sept. 28, 2007

A Japanese video journalist who was covering the protests in Myanmar was found dead Thursday after shots were fired in Yangon, Japanese government officials said.

The Foreign Ministry in Tokyo identified the man as Kenji Nagai, 50, a journalist on contract with APF News, a Tokyo-based video news agency.

Nagai had been covering the public protests against Myanmar’s junta since Tuesday, said APF representative Toru Yamaji.

Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry told officials at the Japanese Embassy in Yangon on Thursday that one of several people found dead after protests that day had a Japanese passport, the Foreign Ministry said.

APF said it was told by the Foreign Ministry later that night that the man in question had Nagai’s passport.

A Japanese Embassy official in Yangon said Nagai’s father and company officials identified Nagai in a photo taken at the scene of his death by a photographer who also was covering the protests.

The official, however, said he could not immediately confirm reports that said Nagai and other people died after being struck by stray bullets fired by soldiers trying to suppress the protesters.

Reuters reported earlier that a Japanese photographer was killed in Yangon when shots were fired, and that police charged more than a 1,000 people who had come out to protest decades of military rule and poverty under the junta.

Witnesses said dozens of protesters were beaten in at least three or four incidents around Yangon after soldiers told residents they had 10 minutes to vacate the city streets or risk getting shot.

Nagai entered Myanmar on Tuesday intending to stay for around a week. He was supposed to contact the company Thursday night but did not, APF said.

Japan is considering lodging a protest to demand that Myanmar take measures to ensure the safety of its citizens, including the more than 600 Japanese living in the country.

“It was extremely regrettable that the accident occurred as a result of a crackdown on protests,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said on a televised news show on NHK. “We urge (Myanmar) to respond calmly.”

There are also 74 Japanese companies operating there, Machimura said.

Earlier Thursday, Myanmar citizens living in Japan and those seeking refugee status here staged protests in Tokyo and Nagoya against Myanmar’s ruling junta.

The protests were prompted by the junta’s crackdown on antigovernment protesters that began in Yangon the previous day. At least four were killed and hundreds injured as riot police tried to disperse them.

In a silent protest outside the Myanmar Embassy in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward, about 40 people, who described themselves as prodemocracy Burmese activists, urged the U.N. Security Council to take action against the junta.

In a written statement released at the scene, they also asked for Japan’s help in “ending the junta’s suppression, releasing prodemocracy activists immediately and getting the junta to engage in dialogue over democratization.”

In Nagoya, a group of about 30 Myanmarese monks seeking political refuge in Japan staged a similar protest and called on Japanese to help.

Each was wearing a red headband with the image of a fighting peacock — the symbol of the democracy movement. The protesters also demanded the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Compiled from AP, Kyodo, staff reports

Source: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070928a1.html

For video, click link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUUQi1ooEAs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g570YKCy7C4

Indonesian President ask Government Public Relation to Fight Against Bad Image

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the President of the Republic of Indonesia warned government Public Relation to fight against negative image about Indonesia. This statement announced in front of participants of National Annual meeting of Badan Koordinasi Kehumasan (Bakohumas) Pemerintah -Government Public Relation Coordinating Body- at Denpasar on Thursday (6/9).

I’m Sorry

For a month I didn’t write on this blog. I’m sorry. This is because my non-virtual life getting busy. Thank’s God I have got several projects that could feed me.