Focus 2009: Indonesia
This year's national focus pays special attention to the filmmaking scene in Indonesia. Featured are a number of recent productions that will give a representative overview of independent cinema of the past 10 years. The spotlight is on New Indonesian Cinema as it came to the fore after the collapse of the Suharto regime in 1998. Avant-garde episodic film Kuldesak paved the way for a newly independent cinema in post-Suharto Indonesia. Its four directors Nan T. Achnas, Mira Lesmana, Riri Riza and Rizal Mantovani have to be counted among their country's most important and best known filmmakers. To this day, Kuldesak provides a major inspiration for many young Indonesian directors, some of whose works will also be shown. "Kuldesak is not only a film. It was a well-timed wake up call and was initiated in a very inspiring time of reform in Indonesia. After that the film we have had at least four groups of a new generation of filmmakers, actors and musicians that became the movers and shakers of the film industry today." (Riri Riza) AHSB's national focus Indonesia is brought to you with the kind support of the Embassy of Indonesia and the Goethe- Institut Jakarta.