Cultural protectionism and Big Brother in Indonesian film making law, the UU Perfilman.
The highly controversial new bill on Film was passed into law (UU Perfilman) by the parliament on September 8th. These are the articles in the law most commented upon:
Typical of the many derisory and hostile reactions to the law among performers and film producers came from old acting hand Deddy Mizwar, who cried
This country is doomed, this country is doomed!
while threatening to retire as chairman of the National Film Board (Badan Pertimbangan Perfilman Nasional) in protest.
Culture & Tourism minister Jero Wacik defended the bill in nationalistic terms, saying the Indonesian film industry would be boosted immeasurably by Article 32, the 60% local content rule at cinemas.
The Perfilman law can be viewed on Google Docs, as can the old 1992 law.
It’s so sad that in this 10 years of reform many bills are just so irrational, and UU Perfilman is yet the latest. Scary to think that the industry that would probably be our pillar in future economy is now crippled. Is the DPR really don’t get the consequences? Is there any chance to cut this bill? If there’s a petition or some sort I’d be happy to sign.
Agree with Patung; it’s not an Islamic thing, it’s a control thing.
With such vague terminology as;
Prohibition of …. hateful content.
correct religious, ethical, moral, and national cultural values
You can literally ban pretty much any movie which you don’t want to see the light of day.
One interesting point is that no films depicting Timor Leste and the brutality of the Indonesian occupation have been allowed in the country. Balibo is the latest victim.
Sadly more generations of Indonesians will not be able to accurately learn about their country’s true heritage. Only the sugar coated bits. So life goes on where people grow up thinking sinetron is true art.
@Diego
Great. Does it mean we will no longer see “Abu-bakar-basyir” type of indoctrination in the TV / movies / media anytime soon?
In all fairness, I don’t think anyone could say that Indonesian cinema has ever been a hotbed of radical religiosity. What worries me is that the handful of recent Indonesian movies I would actually class as watchable could all have been banned under this legislation;
Arisan
Berbagi Suami
The Long Road to Heaven
Jamila and the President
Pintu Terlarang
Kala
They probably wouldn’t have even made it to production. Depressing…
We got a big-brother-esque UU Perfilman.
Prite case, with ITE law, still in court.
Hutomo Mandala Putra runs for Ketua Umum of Golkar, an Orde Baru party that should have been banned like NAZI in Germany.
Orde Baru is creeping back to Indonesia.
Or, probably Orde Baru has never left. It’s the air that every person in the government breath. It’s the mind set of everyone in power and in parliament.
when Indonesian Cinema died out, Malaysia seems promising. they invite film makers, to gain experience, and economy.
really, Malaysia isn’t sound like a bad decision for us film makers. so… in your face Gov.!
Where I can read this ‘controversion’ of UU perfilman????
Got the keyword “religious”. From which religion(s) does this law refer?
Copyright Indonesia Matters 2006-2025
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact
Actually, I would say that the more likely outcome is that the 21 group will lose a lot of money and the pirate DVD sellers of uncensored western flicks will see a mild increase in their sales.
This bill is a real piece of work. It’s as if they thought of every possible rule that might stifle creativity and cause a resurgent Indonesian film market to stagnate. Genius. I guess all we’ll be permitted from now on is clones of Ayat Ayat Cinta and Non-Provocative Pocong flicks.
Mal Ambassador, here I come…