Indonesia Greatness

These are the Indonesia Greatness:

1. Irwan Ahmett

He is creatively genius. Basically, he's a graphic designer but the thing that makes him different is the way he does his job. He initiated some projects that involve people about life and surrounding. The first project that  interests me is "Change Yourself!" in 2005 till 2007. It's a project to motivate people to start for a change. Any kind of changes for improving your life. It can start from a small change that has big impact to the current life. It can be anything. Remove your tattoo,  think positive, say hi to God, lose your weight, cut your hair and many more. It has promoted in three big cities in Indonesia: Jakarta, Bandung and Yogyakarta. This campaign received good response from people especially youngsters. Many of them found this project to change their life to be better. 

                                   Irwan Ahmett on Tedx Jakarta (2010)

The second project is Urban Play. He created creative games to play in the crowded Jakarta. With his creative mind, he changed the infrastructure, pollution, to be something that fun to be played.  He conducted a game with the hot air pollution, tortured public service, seller in the market and citizens . He created 9 plays to make people aware about the beauty and tragically humorous Jakarta. There is one play that interesting for me called Sweaty Map. It is a play that shows the hot temperature of Jakarta weather can be transformed into a cool T-shirt. The thing that he made is a T-shirt of the sweat pattern written on it 35 Celsius degree. It is because the normal temperature that Jakarta got is around 35 Celsius degree. The pattern of sweat is on the part of chest and armpit. It's so funny xD I think it would be the cool souvenir from Jakarta. The Urban Play is not only played in Jakarta but also in other country, such as Poland, UK, Turkey and Netherlands. He does all his projects with his lovely wife, Tita Salina. If you are interested to look out for more information about Irwan Ahmett, go to Irwan Ahmett's personal website.


                                               Urban Play in Poland

2. Nia Dinata

She's an inspiring director from Indonesia. Her films have reflected the other side of Indonesia's situation. About homosexuality, polygamy, minority races, lesbian, and many more. Yes, they are controversial but yet successful. Many of her films has screened in international film festival award, such as Berbagi Suami (Sharing Husband) in New York's Tribeca Film Fesrival. Arisan! (The Gathering) won the MTV Indonesia Movie Award that makes her as the best director in 2004 and also the best film in Cinemasia Dilm Film Festival in Netherlands. She's matured and passionately live her life through film. She can see the potential story taken from everyday life. A film produced by her, Quickie Express, is the most interesting one for me. It's the best-silly-joking film ever! It is a sex comedy film but the conflict existed in the story is real life conflict. Oh ya, she's not only a director but as well as producer, and screen writer. She has found her own film production named, Kalyana Shira, which has helped to accomplish some of her dreams project. I've met her once in @america, the America cultural center in Jakarta. She delivered a talk about film specifically on the Theme of 10th Year Kalyana Shira Film Production. She also talked about her new launching movie at that time, Arisan 2!, along with the casts, Cut Mini and Aida Nurmala.

It was nice to listen to her thought about film industry in Indonesia and South East Asia. One of her statement, i still remember, that during her college she was asked to take some free elective courses which is not related with her degree. Then she chose to take course related with film making cuz it is her favorite. Even though she was studying mass communication but she was interested in film already. She said, "I don't want to go to a class that i don't understand. It's better for me to take class which will give the food to my soul." She also said there is a different between career and passion. And to know your passion is a long journey that she feels bless for living on her passion now. After the session finished, there was a photo session. Some students have taken place to take picture with her. I thought she would be quiet long then i chased for another celebrity, Cut Mini.  After a while, she's gone already! I promise that i will look for her next time since i adore her soo much like i adore Yasmin Ahmad.  Though, i took picture with Cut Mini and Mba Ucu Agustin. Mba Ucu Agustin is the screen writer for the documentary film project "Batik is My Love Story". I  interviewed her on the same day.

This is an interview held by Whiteboard Journal with Nia Dinata. You can take a look about her perceptions towards public opinion on her films.

                                        Nia Dinata on Whiteboard Journal


Oh ya, i keep an article newspaper about her. It's like i cut it from pages and bring it everywhere. Cuz i wanna be like her, really.

Nia Dinata on "Kompas"

3. Joko Anwar

Don't get me wrong, if i choose people from film industry as The Indonesia Greatness. Since i love this industry and i think Indonesia has good potential in film industry. The third man is, Joko Anwar.  I adore this man like i adore the previous women. He is the first director that amazed me through his film, Janji Joni (Joni's Promise). He can direct well as well as writing an enlightening script. He is also a hard worker as you can see the journey from his film. That he never stops to create a good film that will touch Indonesian watcher's heart. He has unique and different personality than other Great people in this country.

                                                     Joko Anwar's Movies



                                      His New Film: Modus Anomali (2012)

Well, this is my opinion about Indonesia Great people. For sure, there are many superb people out there who does the best in their own field. But, once again, this is my own perspective ;)

Anyway, based on Irwan Ahmett's play number 7, "It's hard to live in Jakarta but it is even harder to leave from here." Yes, it's hard to live in Jakarta or Indonesia but it's harder to move or leave to other country. Love you, my country, Indonesia. x)


Love,
Chandini