Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at 2021 Citra Cup Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), 10 November 2021, Jakarta Convention Center, Senayan, DKI Jakarta Province

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh,

Good evening,

May prosperity be upon us all.

Distinguished all filmmakers in attendance,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Esteemed Guests,

Sixty-six years ago, Mr. Usmar Ismail and Mr. Djamaluddin Malik initiated the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) as the highest celebration and appreciation for Indonesian film industry. To that end, this year, this morning, as a form of my highest appreciation for culture warriors, on behalf of the nation and the state, I’d like to confer the title of National Hero on Mr. Usmar Ismail as Father of Indonesian Films.

We must maintain the fighting spirit of the heroes, culture warriors, and Father of Indonesian Films by producing quality works that show superiority and characters of our identities as a nation with unparalleled cultural wealth.

I am proud that during the pandemic, Indonesian film industry has received many outstanding achievements award in international film industry and has outperformed other Southeast Asian countries. And I see various stories explore different angles. Just like before, the story chronicles sharia in Aceh province, about women who gave birth to children in prison. The ‘Invisible Hopes’ and other films, in my opinion, have unpredictable angles of stories that we did not think about. That is a sharp idea expressed in a very slick film.

I greatly applaud the four Indonesian films that have received the highest awards at the world’s best film festivals, including ‘Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash’ directed by Edwin and won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival, ‘Yuni’ directed by Kamila Andini and won the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, ‘The Sea Calls for Me’ directed by Tumpal Tampubolon and won the Sonje Award at the Busan International Film Festival, and ‘Dear to Me’ directed by Monica Tedja and won the Junior Jury Award-Special Mention Open Doors Shorts at the Locarno Film Festival. This is incredible.

Once again, I really applaud it. I hope filmmakers, actors, actresses, and all stakeholders of Indonesian films will continue to pursue big dreams, strengthen collaboration with international film centers, explore their great talents and promote unique stories and beautiful places for the works.

Lastly, I’d like to congratulate Citra Cup winners in the 2021 FFI event that will be announced tonight. I hope the achievements will inspire others to create better works in the future.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (RIF/EP)