Jakarta's Deputy Governor, Rano Karno, confirmed that the Indonesian government is seriously working to transform the capital, Jakarta, into a leading cinematic city, despite some skepticism from those in the film industry. This statement was made during a press conference held in Jakarta, where Rano explained that the government is establishing a Jakarta Cinema Committee as part of this vision.
Rano expressed optimism about achieving this goal, pointing to the available financial support, with the government currently holding 84 billion rupiah in tax incentives dedicated to supporting film production. He emphasized that this money will be used as an investment in the film industry, contributing to an increase in local production.
Event Details
During his talk, Rano pointed out the challenges facing the film industry, including the difficulty of obtaining financing from banks, as films are considered a high-risk investment. Rano, who has over 55 years of experience in the film industry, has faced this issue himself, having participated in the production of approximately 150 films, which gives him deep insight into the reality of the industry.
Rano also discussed with representatives from Bank Indonesia the importance of supporting cinema as part of the creative economy, noting that data showed the number of movie viewers in Indonesia reached 122 million people in 2024, with 85% of them watching local films, indicating the strength of national cinema.
Background & Context
Historically, Indonesia has lacked sufficient support for its film industry, leading to a reliance on foreign productions. However, in recent years, the government has begun to recognize the importance of cinema as part of the country's cultural and economic identity. These efforts have contributed to enhancing local production and increasing awareness of the importance of cinema in society.
Cinema is part of the creative economy, which encompasses various fields such as art, music, and literature. With the growing global interest in Indonesian cinema, the government aims to promote this industry as a means to foster economic growth and create job opportunities.
Impact & Consequences
If Jakarta succeeds in realizing its vision of becoming a cinematic city, it will lead to increased investments in this sector, contributing to the creation of new job opportunities and boosting the local economy. This will also help attract tourists and foreign investors, enhancing Indonesia's status on the global stage.
Additionally, this transformation could strengthen local culture and raise awareness of social issues through films, contributing to improving the country's image both regionally and internationally.
Regional Significance
Cinema is an effective means of cultural communication, and Arab countries could benefit from Indonesia's experience in enhancing its film industry. With the growing interest in cinema as a means of expressing cultural identity, Arab countries can draw inspiration from this experience to develop their own cinematic industries.
Given the challenges facing the film industry in the Arab world, Jakarta's experience could serve as a model for how to support local production and promote cinematic culture, contributing to sustainable development in this sector.