Museum of Islamic Art
Doha, Qatar: As part of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture, the “Indie Indonesia” programme is set to grace the cinema landscape. The curated film series stands as a testament to the cultural exchange between the two nations.
Delivered through Doha Film Institute (DFI) Cinema, this distinctive summer series boasts a trio of movies, each a creation of burgeoning and established Indonesian filmmaking talents. These cinematic gems seamlessly bridge the gap between mainstream and independent cinema.
The lineup includes “Before, Now & Then,” “Galang,” and “Mecca, I’m Coming.”
Indonesian Ambassador to Qatar H E Ridwan Hassan lauded the initiative, expressing his enthusiasm for the cinematic extravaganza.
“As part of the Year of Culture, with the support of the Doha Film Institute, the Indonesian Embassy in Doha proudly presents a carefully curated selection of the best Indonesian indie films to the citizens and residents of Qatar,” the envoy told The Peninsula.
He expressed that this event aims to enhance the public’s comprehension of Indonesia’s creative industry. Additionally, he hoped that it would facilitate partnerships leading to the enrichment of both the Indonesian and Qatari film sectors.
Ambassador Hassan further said that “this initiative essentially aims to strengthen people-to-people contacts on the grassroots level. With government support and increased public awareness of our film industry, we hope it could provide opportunities for our film industry to flourish and reach its full potential.” Meanwhile, Indonesian Embassy in Qatar Head of Division for Cultural Activation Ali Murtado revealed that in addition to the screening of the independent film series, “we are set to feature Indonesian movie screenings in November.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that Indonesia will take part in this year’s Ajyal Film Festival, with gratitude extended to DFI for providing us with this remarkable chance.” Scheduled for August 31, “Before, Now & Then,” directed by Kamila Andini, weaves a tale around a woman who finds solace in a second marriage to a wealthy man. However, her life remains tenuous as she navigates through his patriarchal values and his tendency to maintain mistresses. A poignant narrative unfolds as she forms an unlikely bond with her husband’s mistress, embarking on a journey to discover the essence of freedom.
On September 1, audiences will be captivated by “Galang,” directed by Adriyanto Dewo. The storyline follows a boy’s quest for answers after losing his sister in a riot during an underground music concert. Seeking solace and understanding, he endeavours to join the group, embarking on a journey to find reasons and answers for his guilt.
Finally, on September 2, “Mecca, I’m Coming,” directed by Jeihan Angga, takes centre stage. The plot revolves around Eddy’s earnest pursuit to prove his worthiness as Eni’s husband to her father. His journey to Makkah for Hajj, a testament to his devotion, takes an unexpected turn, throwing challenges his way.
All three films will screen at 7pm at the Museum of Islamic Art auditorium.
