The documentary explores the world of Indonesian cinema following the country’s most significant political and historical events. Starting with the era of the Dutch colonialism, and combining stock footage, photos and interviews, the film describes genres, issues and styles, authors, characters, working methods, delving into the effects of politic and religion attitudes, and it tries to decipher representation symbols and patterns, exploring the relations of cinema to the theatre, both traditional and modern, the literature, the fine arts. The director follows attentively also other expressions resulting from the impact of cinema on Indonesian popular culture, like the wandering cinematographs and the hand-painted posters for movie advertising. Finally, the film offers a prospective inside the upcoming Indonesian cinema, providing access to the work of film crews, sets, film studios and film laboratories.

Screenplay Maurizio Borriello
Photography (colour) Maurizio Borriello
Editing Maurizio Borriello
Production Maurizio Borriello
Year of production 2006
Running time 59’
Format MiniDV

Maurizio Borriello

Maurizio Borriello was born 1974 in Naples. He graduated from Languages and Civilization of the Indian Ocean. He carried out various researches on anthropological issues in Indonesia, Eastern Africa and India. At present he lives in Indonesia where he teaches at the National University of Jakarta. Between 2005 and 2006 he worked as volunteer for the rebuilding of fisher boats destructed by the tsunami.