Monday, 10 June 2013

FAVORITE FOREIGN FILMS


Through the medium of film, much can be told and learnt about society and culture. Although I have to read its subtitle, watching an Italian or Iranian or French or Spanish or just about any foreign language film, can reach more emotional depths than the Hollywood one. It's feel more excited watching foreign language film than Hollywood blockbusters that sometimes only show us 'the pride' of CGI. Frankly, besides its entertainment, I need more 'something else' in watching film experience in cinema. Then, would you like to know my favorite foreign language films? Here, they are...



Taegukgi - South Korea

Cinema Paradiso - Italy

Amélie - France


A Very Long Engagement - France


Biutiful - Mexico

Mar Adentro - Spain

The Motorcycle Diaries - Argentine

Children of Heaven - Iran

The Color of Paradise - Iran

Nobody Knows - Japan




Sunday, 9 June 2013

EXCELLENT EINSTEIN


Professor : You have religion, don't you son?
Student    : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you believe in God?
Student    : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is God good?
Student    : Sure.
Professor : Is God all powerful?
Student    : Yes.
Professor : My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to 
                   God to heal him.  Most of us would attempt to help 
                   others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God 
                   good then? Hmm?

Student was silent

Professor : You can't answer. Can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good? 
Student    : Yes.
Professor : Is satan good?
Student    : No.
Professor : Where does satan come from?
Student    : From... God...
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student    : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make 
                    everything. Correct?
Student    : Yes.
Professor : So, who created evil?

Student did not answer

Professor : Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? 
                   All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student    : Yes sir.
Professor : So, who created them?

Student had no answer

Professor : Science says you have five senses you use to identify 
                   and observe the world around you. Tell me son, have
                   you ever seen God?
Student    : No sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard God?
Student    : No, sir.
Professor : Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt 
                    your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception 
                    of God for that matter?
Student    : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still believe in Him?
Student    : Yes.
Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable 
                   Protocol, Science says your God doesn't exist. 
                   What do you say to that, son?
Student    : Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor : Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.
Student    : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student    : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student    : No, sir. There isn't.

The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events

Student   : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, super 
                   heat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. 
                   But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 
                   458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't 
                   go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. 
                   Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of 
                   heat. We can't measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is 
                   not the opposite of heat sir, just the absence of it.

There was pin drop silence in the lecture theater

Student    : What about darkness, professor? Is there such a thing 
                    as darkness? 
Professor : Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness? 
Student    : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of 
                    something. You can have low light, normal light, 
                    bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light 
                    constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, 
                    isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it is, well you 
                    would be able to make darkness darker wouldn't you?  
Professor : So what is the point you are making, young man? 
Student    : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student    : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. 
                   You argue there is life and then there is death, a good 
                   God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of
                   God as something finite, something we can measure. 
                   Sir, Science can't even explain a thought. It uses 
                   electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much
                   less fully understood either one. To view death as 
                   the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that 
                   death can't exist as a substantive thing. Death is not 
                   the opposite of life : just the absence of it. 
                   Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that
                   they evolved from a monkey?  
Professor : If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process,                    yes, of course, I do. 
Student    : Have you ever observed evolution with your own 
                    eyes, sir?

The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.

Student   : Since no one has ever observed the process of 
                   evolution at work and can't even prove that this process
                   is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your 
                   opinion sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

The class was in uproar

Student   : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen 
                   the Professor's brain?

The class broke out into laughter

Student   : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's 
                   brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to 
                   have done so. So, according to the established Rules of 
                   Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science 
                   says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, 
                   sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir? 

The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.

Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student   : That it is, sir. Exactly! The link between man and God 
                   is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and 
                   moving. 



PS.
I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. Forward this to others to increase their knowledge or... FAITH.  By the way, that student was ALBERT EINSTEIN. 

Saturday, 8 June 2013

DRAMA DIRECTION


Drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. It's the most broad of film genres and some of the greatest screen performances come from dramas, as there is ample opportunity for actors to stretch into a role that most other genres can't afford. Drama films have been nominated frequently for any awards more than any other film genre. Here, some Indonesian films which has drama direction. 


Catatan Harian Si Boy (2011)

This is the first film from Putrama Tuta which starring Ario Bayu, Carissa Putri, Poppy Sovia, Tara Basro, Abimana, Paul Foster and Albert Halim. The film is remake of 1980's Indonesian box office film Catatan Si Boy with Onky Alexander and Didi Petet




Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah (2011)
Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah is the second film adaptation of Buya Hamka's book with the same title which directed by Hanny R. Saputra, following the adaptation in 1977 by Asrul Sani. It's a romance with bits touching of on the themes of culture and religion. The film was selected as Indonesian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at 84th Academy Awards.



Gie (2005)
Gie is a film directed by Riri Riza which based on a Soe Hok Gie's diary Catatan Seorang Demontran and tells the story about himself who is known as an activist and nature lover and graduated from University of Indonesia. The film won Best Asian Feature Film at Singapore International Film Festival 2006 and Special Jury Award at Asia Pacific Film Festival 2006




Habibie & Ainun (2012)
Habibie & Ainun is an Indonesian romantic drama film which directed by Faozan Rizal. It's tell story about romantic life of Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, the former of Indonesia President and his wife Hasri Ainun Besari which adapted from the same title book by himself that he wrote after his wife's death. The film won Favorite Actor and Favorite Movie Soundtrack at Indonesian Movie Awards 2013 and it's the second highest grossing in Indonesian box office history after Laskar Pelangi




Haji Backpacker (2014)
Haji Backpacker is directed by Danial Rifki. It's a spiritual journey movie that shot in 9 countries : Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, India, Tibet, Nepal, Iran, Saudi Arabia. It's starring Abimana Aryasatya, Dewi Sandra, Laura Basuki, Laudya Cynthia Bella. Aku Pulang from Dewi Sandra is chosen by producer as its soundtrack along with Pergi Haji from Pipik & Uje





Laskar Pelangi (2008)
Laskar Pelangi is an Indonesian film directed by Riri Riza and it's adapted from best seller same title book by Andrea Hirata. The film tell the story about ten elementary students and their two inspirational teachers as they struggle with poverty and develop hopes for the future in Gantong Village on the farming and tin mining island of Belitung off the east coast of Sumatra. The film is the highest grossing in Indonesian box office history and won award as Best Film at Bandung Film Festival 2009 and Indonesian Film Festival 2009SIGNIS Award at Hong Kong International Film Festival 2009Golden Butterfly Award at International Children & Young Adults Film Festival Iran 2009, 3rd place Audience Award at Udine Far East International Film Festival Italy 2009 and nominated for Best Film and Best Editor at Asian Film Awards 2009.



Laskar Pelangi Sekuel 2 / Edensor (2013)
This is the 3rd film from Andrea Hirata's book Laskar Pelangi tetralogy, Edensor. This time the film directed by Benni Setiawan and starring Lukman Sardi, Abimana Aryasatya, Zulfani, Randi Ahmad & Mathias Muchus





Negeri 5 Menara (2012)
Negeri 5 Menara is an Indonesian film which adapted from Ahmad Fuadi's best selling book with the same title and it's directed by Affandi Abdul Rachman. It's tell story about six schoolboys from six different regions in Indonesia, study at the same pesantren Pondok Madani in PonorogoEast Java.  


  
Perahu Kertas (2012)
Perahu Kertas is prequel of Perahu Kertas 2 which is based on Dewi 'Dee' Lestari's best selling book with the same title directed by Hanung Bramatyo and starring Maudy Ayunda, Adipati Dolken, Reza Rahadian, Tio Pakusadewo, Kimberly Ryder

 


Rectoverso (2013)
Rectoverso is an Indonesian omnibus film consists of five untold love stories from five of Indonesian actresses who became a director for the first time:  Hanya Isyarat (Happy Salma), Curhat Buat Sahabat (Olga Lydia), Cicak Di Dinding (Cathy Sharon), Firasat (Rachel Maryam), Malaikat Juga Tahu (Marcella Zalianty). It's based on the best selling book with the same title by Dewi 'Dee' Lestari. This film won Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Couple at Indonesian Movie Awards 2013.



Sang Kiai (2013)
Sang Kiai is 2013 Indonesian epic history film that inspired from the founder of Nahdatul Ulama's life KH Hasyim Asyari and his big contribution to the country for its struggle against Netherlands and Japan occupation in Indonesia. The film is directed by Rako Prijanto and it was selected as Indonesian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at 86th Academy Awards.
  


Sang Pemimpi (2009)
Sang Pemimpi is sequel of Laskar Pelangi based on Andrea Hirata's second book of tetralogy Laskar Pelangi with the same title and directed by Riri Riza. The film won Audience Award at Udine Far East International Film Festival Italy 2010NETPAC Critics Jury Award at Singapore International Film Festival 2010 and Premio Juvenile Award at Madrid Fici Children International Film Festival 2010.




Sang Penari (2011)
Sang Penari is an Indonesian film based on the trilogy of novels Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk by Ahmad Tohari and directed by Ifa Isfansyah. The film won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Leading ActressBest Supporting Actress and nine nominations at Indonesian Film Festival 2011 and it was selected as Indonesian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at 85th Academy Awards.




Soekarno (2013) 
Soekarno Extended (2014)
This new film from Hanung Bramantyo will release in next December. Soekarno, Indonesia Merdeka is a prequel for the next second one Soekarno, Hari-Hari Terakhir. It's starring Ario Bayu, Lukman Sardi, Maudy Kusnaedi, Emir Mahira. Rossa and Afgan did the soundtrack.

 




Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck (2013)
Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck Extended (2014) 
The film is based on Buya Hamka's book with the same title and it could be another box office from Soraya Films after 5 cm. It's starring Pevita Pearce, Herjunot Ali and Reza Rahadian. Its soundtrack composed by Nidji.



3 Nafas Likas (2014)
It's based on the true story of North Sumatra's Bataknese Karo Likas Tarigan and Djamin Ginting. 3 Nafas Likas directed by Rako Prijanto and starring Atiqah Hasiholan, Vino G. Bastian, Ernest Samudera, Jajang C. Noor, Arswendi Nasution. This film take some locations in North Sumatra and Canada. Tulus is performing Lekas for its soundtrack.





5cm. (2012)
5cm. is an Indonesian film that adapted from Donny Dhirgantoro's best selling book with the same title and directed by Rizal Mantovani. The film which is released in 12 December 2012 tell story about friendship, love and nationalism. It became the second highest grossing film in 2012 after Habibie & Ainun. Its original motion pictures soundtrack from Nidji get well reception as well. 





99 Cahaya Di Langit Eropa (2013) & 99 Cahaya Di Langit Eropa Part 2 (2014)
99 Cahaya Di Langit Eropa is adapted from the best seller novel with same title which is based on true story of wife-husband Hanum Rais and Rangga Almahendra's life in Europe. The film directed by Guntur Soeharjanto and starring Abimana Aryasatya, Acha Septriasa, Marissa Nasution, Dewi Sandra, Nino Fernadez, Raline Shah, Alex Abbad, Fatin Shidqia Lubis, Dian Pelangi, Geccha Qheagaventa. Its soundtrack Langit by Fatin Shidqia Lubis.



Friday, 7 June 2013

COOL COMMERCIALS


Indonesia on random television commercials. Its nature, culture and people. Both of Djarum and Wonderful Indonesia series are my forever favorite. Indeed, Indonesia is God's gorgeous gift !



Intel Visibly Smart - Batik Fractal

Camel Active - Spring/Summer

Djarum Super - My Great Adventure Indonesia

Djarum Super - My Great Adventure Indonesia Continues

Wonderful Indonesia - Culture & Heritage

Wonderful Indonesia - Nature & Ecotourism

Wonderful Indonesia - Diving

Wonderful Indonesia - Surfing

Wonderful Indonesia - Trekking

Wonderful Indonesia - Culinary

Wonderful Indonesia - Cruise

Wonderful Indonesia - Golf

Wonderful Indonesia - Shopping

Wonderful Indonesia - MICE

Wonderful Indonesia


Feeling is Believing

South Korea World Expo 2012

Gudang Garam - Rumahku Indonesiaku

Gudang Garam - Cahaya Asa

Thursday, 6 June 2013

BEAUTIFUL BATIK


Batik is Indonesia! UNESCO designated Batik as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on 2 October 2009. Batik is a cloth that is traditionally made using a manual wax-resist dyeing technique. Although the word's origin is Javanese, its etymology may be either from Javanese 'amba' (to write) and 'titik' (dot or point), or constructed from a hypothetical Proto-Austronesian root 'becik' meaning to tattoo from the use of a needle in the process. The word is first recorded in English in Encyclopedia Britannica of 1880, in which it's spelled battik. It's attested in Indonesian Archipelago during Dutch colonial period in various forms: mbatek, mbatik, batek and batik.

In Indonesia, traditionally, Batik used  for kain panjang or Sarong for Kebaya dress. It can also be worn by wrapping it around the body, or made into a hat known as Blangkon. Infants are carried in Batik slings decorated with symbols designed to bring the child luck. Certain Batik designs are reserved for brides and bridegrooms, as well as their families. The dead are shrouded in funerary Batik. Other designs are reserved for Sultan and his family or their attendants. A person's rank could be determined by the pattern of Batik he or she wore. For special ocassions, Batik was formerly decorated with gold leaf or dust. This cloth is known as Prada (a Javanese word for gold). Gold decorated cloth still made today, however, gold paint has replaced gold dust and leaf. 

Batik garments play a central role in certain rituals, such as ceremonial casting of royal Batik into a volcano. In Javanese Naloni Mitoni first pregnancy ceremony, the mother-to-be is wrapped in seven layers of Batik, wishing her good things. Batik is also prominent in Tedak Siten ceremony when a child touches the earth for the first time. Batik is also part of Labuhan ceremony when people gather at a beach to throw their problems away into the sea.

The wide diversity of patterns reflects a variety of influences, ranging from indigenous designs, Arabic calligraphy, European bouquets and Chinese phoenixes to Japanese cherry blossoms and Indian or Persian peacocks. Contemporary Batik, while owing much the past, is markedly different from the more traditional and formal styles. For example, the artist may use etching, discharge dyeing, stencils, different tools for waxing and dyeing, or wax recipes with different resist values. They may work with silk, cotton, wool, leather, paper or even wood and ceramics.


In Indonesia, Batik popularity has had its ebbs and flows. Historically, it was essential for ceremonial costumes and it was worn as part of a Kebaya dress which was commonly worn every day. Batik clothing has revived somewhat in the turn of 21st century, due to the effort of Indonesian designers to innovate Batik by incorporating new colors, fabrics and patterns. Batik is a fashion item for many young people of Indonesia such as shirt, dress or scarf for casual wear. Kebaya is regarded as a formal attire for women. It's also acceptable for men to wear Batik in the office or as a replacement for jacket and tie at certain receptions. After UNESCO recognition for Indonesian Batik as intangible world heritage on 2 October 2009, Indonesian administration has asked Indonesians to wear Batik on Friday and wearing Batik every Friday is encouraged in all government offices and private companies ever since. 


The existence and use of Batik was already recorded in 12th century and the textile has since become a strong source of identity of Indonesians and to lesser extent Singapore and Malaysia. Batik is featured in their national airlines uniform, the flight attendants of Singaporean and Malaysian national airlines wear Batik prints in their uniform. Although the uniforms are actually not real Batik because the production is not using the traditional way but using mass produced techniques. The female uniform of Garuda Indonesia flight attendants is more authentic modern interpretations of Kartini style Kebaya and Parang Gondosuli Batik motif which also incorporate Garuda's wing motif and small dots represent Jasmine. The Batik motif symbolizes Fragrant Ray of Life and endows the wearer with elegance.



There are so many types and variations of Batik in Indonesia. Javanese Kraton Batik (Javanese Court Batik) is the oldest Batik tradition known in Java which also known as Batik Pedalaman (inland Batik) in contrast with Batik Pesisiran (coastal Batik). This type of Batik has earthy color tones such as black, indigo (tarum), brown and dark yellow (sogan), sometimes against a white background. The motifs of traditional court Batik have symbolic meanings. Some designs are restricted: larger motifs can only be worn by royalty and certain motifs are not suitable for women or for specific ocassions (e.g. weddings). The palace court (Keratonan) in two cities in Central Java are known for preserving and fostering Batik traditions: Surakarta/Solo Batik and Yogyakarta Batik. Traditional Surakarta Court Batik is preserved and fostered by Susuhunan and Mangkunegaran courts. The main areas that produced Solo Batik are Laweyan and Kauman districts. Solo Batik typically has sogan as the background color. Pasar Klewer near Susuhunan Palace is a retail trade center. Traditional Yogya Batik is preserved and fostered by Yogyakarta Sultanate and Pakualaman Court. Usually Yogya Batik has white as the background color. Fine Batik is produced at Kampung Taman district and Beringharjo market near Malioboro street is well known as a retail Batik trade center in Yogyakarta.





Pesisir Batik (Costal Batik) is created and produced by several areas on the northern coast of Java and on Madura. As a consequence of maritime trading, Pesisir Batik tradition was more open to foreign influences in textile design, coloring and motif, in contrast to inland Batik which was relatively independent of outside influences. For example, Pesisir Batik utilizes vivid colors and Chinese motifs such as clouds, phoenix, dragon, qilin, lotus, peony and flower patterns. Pekalongan Batik is the most famous Pesisir Batik product which is produced in Pekalongan in Central Java. Compared to other Pesisir Batik production center, Batik production houses in this town is the most thriving. Pekalongan Batik was influenced by both Dutch-European and Chinese motifs, for example Buketan motifs was influenced by European flower bouquet. The other areas in Indonesia which famous for its Pesisir Batik are Cirebon, Lasem, Tuban and Madura. Cirebon Batik which also known as Trusmi Batik because of its primary production area. The most well known Cirebon Batik motif is Megamendung (rain cloud) that was used in the former Cirebon court which shows Chinese influence. Lasem Batik is characterized by a bright red color called Abang Getih Phitik (chicken blood red), Tuban Batik has its speciality Gedog Batik which was created from handmade Tenun (woven) fabrics, while Madura/Madurese Batik displays vibrant colors such as yellow, red and green with its unique motifs Pucuk Tombak (spear tips) and also various flora and fauna images.



In Indonesia, not only Yogyakarta and some cities in East Java that produced Batik but also in some other areas in Java, Bali and Sumatra which own its motifs and colors. In West Java or Banten there is Priangan Batik or Sundanese Batik with its variants and production centers such as Ciamis, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Kuningan, Baduy, Banten or other Javanese variant Java Hokokai Batik which is influenced by Japanese. In Bali, there is Balinese Batik which is influenced by Hindu culture for its motifs and colors as well as in Sumatra with its variants such as Batik from Jambi, Minangkabau, Aceh, Palembang and Riau, as well as variant from Kalimantan and Papua





Malaysia may use wax-dyeing technique for fabric but technique and pattern is originated from Indonesia. One more important thing is Indonesian Batik has its own history, philosophy and tradition for its motif which is Malaysian one lack of it. Batik is more than just drawing something on fabric!