Yesterday, the Indonesian Parliament(DPR) passed a Film Law Bill which amended the Film Law No. 8/1992, and will be effective after the President sign the Bill.
The new law stipulates that at least 60 percent of the overall screen time in cinemas throughout the nation should be alocated for Indonesian films.
Further, movie producers are required to obtain licenses from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Furthermore, domestic filmmakers and foreign producers who want to make films in Indonesia must submit plans, movie titles and scenarios to the authorities at least three months before making the film. Violations could result in a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to $500,000.00.
Moreover, a special film censor agency will be set up.
According to the Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, the new law will boost the national film industry. He said : "The number of films will increase and will be better quality so that the national films wil be host in their own country".
Whereas the Indonesian film community protested because they said that the DPR passed the Film Law bill without paying attention to their opinions.
Actor Deddy Mizwar said that the bill is against freedom of expression, director Riri Riza said that the law do not provide conducive condition for the growth of film industry, and producer Manoj Punjabi said the law will not enhance growth of the film industry.
For details on the above, please click here, here, here, here and here.
Considering that the Film Law Bill has been passed by the DPR, and will be effective after the President sign it, I hope that its implementation would not be contradictory to its mission i.e. to boost the growth of film industry in Indonesia.
Image: Courtesy of Forum Politisi
9 comments:
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Saung Web,
Thank you. Of course I'll visit your nice blog again.
nice review
Derby,
Thank you for the kind words
Harry how can the law not be contrary to the spirit of film making. Think about it, in order to make an Indonesian film the script must first be vetted by the authorities to ensure it fits within the parameters of acceptable.
Just the idea of having to have film scripts vetted before production starts is a severe restriction on the freedom of expression.
The bill is not going to drive creative film making in Indonesia and it seems to run counter to a recent presidential instruction on the creative economy.
I have written about the bill / law for hukumonline clients. I am also intending to do a post on my blog "soon".
You might want to check out how many people were present in the plenary session for the vote on this one, and whether or not the attendance form was signed to indicate a vote being taken by the relevant members.
I am hearing from way over here that there are some concerns about quorum on this one.
As I always say, stupid is as stupid does.
Rob,
I agree that the bill would be contradictory to spirit of film making, to SBY's decree regarding creative economy, and quorum coz less than 100 members attended. But I also heard that most of the guys at DPR agreed. I hope that it is wrong, but if it's true even if they vote again result would be more or less the same. And SBY will confirm (sign it).
In that case, there is still a way to fight : ask the Constitutional Court to cancel it partially or wholly. If that failed, as in the ITE & Anti Pornography laws, we live with it but by making sure that its implementation would not inflict to much losses and find loop holes.
I look forward to reading your post on this matter.
very intersting blog and very usufull information.
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Hossam,
Thank you for your comment, I am glad that you like my blog.
Hayden,
Thank you for dropping by. Now that we have followed each other we will surely be connected.
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