Protest against Indonesia’s Film Bill

The Indonesian movie community is outraged about a new film law, reports The Jakarta Globe, and quotes some film makers: “”The old law is actually more reform-minded compared to this bill,” said Chand Parwez Servia, a coalition member and film producer, referring to the 1982 Law on Film. “The bill has the potential to make us film people feel like filmmaking is nothing to be proud of. Worse still, it makes us feel like we have to ready ourselves for jail,” Chand said. Heri Akhmadi from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) had said a day earlier that a number of articles in the bill were flawed. “Those articles will eventually hinder the creativity of individuals [in the film world],” said Heri, who is also the deputy chairman of House Commission X, which oversees art and culture and which had recommended the House endorse the bill. “