Jokowi Watches Javanese-language Film in Malang

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made time to watch a local film, Yowis Ben, at CinemaXX Malang Town Square during a working visit to Malang in East Java on Wednesday.

Jokowi said he was happy to find a movie that was filmed in the East Javan language being screened at the theater.

He added that the growing number of cinemas and audiences as well as the film industry were imbalanced when it came to the availability of film crews, which meant limited opportunities in the industry.

“That’s why the government, through the Education and Culture Ministry, is currently conducting revitalization programs, as well as improving facilities at around 120 SMK [vocational schools] across Indonesia that have majors in filming so that [we] will have skilled graduates in this industry,” Jokowi said.

The President watched the film alongside the cast as well as Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy, government officials and several artists and actors such as Luna Maya and Gunawan Maryanto.

Bayu Skak, the film’s lead actor and director, said he was very happy that Jokowi had taken time from his busy schedule to watch the movie.

He added that since its premiere on Feb. 22, the film had attracted 920,000 moviegoers. “That’s a good number for a regional language film.”

Bayu said a sequel was already being planned, which will follow the band’s journey to Jakarta.

Muhadjir said there was a possibility that the ministry would support the sequel. It had already created a video clip of a song from the film’s soundtrack, “Ojo Bolos Pelajaran”, as part of a campaign to encourage students not to skip classes.

After concerns were raised about the film’s inappropriate dialogue, Muhadjir commented that it was a characteristic of the East Javanese language. “It’s an expression of friendliness,” he added.

Courtesy : The jakarta Post

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