Indonesia

Indonesia Delegation
May 31-June 12, 2009
Filmmakers: Scott Hamilton Kennedy, The Garden
& Lauren Oakes, Red Gold
Expert: Diane Carson

Delegate Report

by Diane Carson

The American Documentary Showcase program in Indonesia involved screenings and discussions every day of our two weeks, June 1 to 13, except for weekends. See Itinerary

At most events (see attached itinerary) we screened both associate producer Lauren Oakes’ Red Gold and producer/director Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s The Garden with screenings followed by a discussion session with both filmmakers and film specialist Diane Carson. Audiences ranged from about thirty students to over 120 students and lecturers. We had a total of twelve different official screening sessions, and one unofficial one that Scott arranged through a filmmaker friend of his in Jakarta.

indonesia map

The greatest success of the screenings was the involvement of the students in discussing the films in particular and environmental issues in general. A recurring theme became the many shared challenges of the United States and Indonesia, as well as most other countries worldwide, in terms of sustainability and development. Many viewers said they were unaware of the politics on display in both films and did not previously know that these problems also impacted the U.S. As important, at every opportunity we encouraged all interested in these issues to make their own documentaries, something that is quite possible given the affordability of cameras and editing equipment. Many students, in particular, said they never thought they could make their own films but would love to. We’re hopeful that some constructive projects will emerge from our encouragement and their talent and commitment.

Secondarily and to my great delight, I learned about the Indonesian people and culture from a diverse array of people. Individuals with whom I talked at every venue expressed as much pleasure learning more about the United States as I did learning from them abut Indonesia. Without exception, I enjoyed warm hospitality and solicitous concern for my experiences here. Every local host took extra time to talk with me and to ask about my own personal experiences in the United States—where I was from, what the weather was, where it was located, what kind of teaching I did, etc. I inquired as well about their exposure to English language study, their high school or college curriculum here, and their favorite places in Indonesia. In short, I had a most educational two weeks, for which I am both grateful and still excited about all I experienced and will take back to my students, colleagues, and the University Video and Film Association of which I am president.

The greatest challenge/problem was that our films did not have Indonesian subtitles. Some audiences spoke excellent English; others struggled with the absence of subtitles, especially given the complexity of the situations explored in both films. Once we knew that an audience might have some language problems, both Scott and Lauren gave more extensive descriptions before the screenings began and, on several occasions, Scott stopped his film to summarize what had transpired and to foreshadow what would come next. This helped immensely, as became obvious with the thoughtful, sophisticated questions generated at these sessions.

The American Embassy team of Assistant Cultural Attaché Jason Rebholz, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Michele Cenzer, Youth Outreach Specialist Irmina Reniarti, Cultural Affairs Specialist Pira Vindiartha, and their support staff did a flawless, superb job of organizing and implementing our screenings and travel. With grace and efficiency, they answered literally dozens of questions every day, admirably did the necessary trouble shooting of technical issues at several venues, and ensured that transportation went smoothly and accommodations were first rate. At no time did we encounter any problem that they did not quickly and efficiently solve.

Moreover, Jason and Michele were very responsive to our expressed interests in seeing, for example, a shadow puppet show (fitting this into our schedule in Samerang), accommodating my desire to visit the National Museum in Jakarta (picking me up at the Borobudur Hotel on Sunday, June 7, and touring through the museum with me, interpreting and explaining the cultural significance of the fine holdings), and organizing a city tour of Balikpapan. These are only a few examples of the many details they handled with good humor and gracious receptivity to our interests and time availability, for we wanted to see and experience as much as possible of Indonesian culture in our two weeks here.

In my opinion, the Indonesian program of the American Documentary Showcase has been an overwhelming success for both us and the Indonesian community. What we will take back to the U.S. will have ripple effects for months. We hope that the tangible information and the more intangible presence we had here has complemented the clearly superb work being done by the American Embassy in Jakarta.

Submitted by Diane Carson
Film Specialist, Indonesian Program

Program Schedule

June 1-13, 2009

Lauren Oakes, Red Gold
Scott Hamilton Kennedy, The Garden
Diane Carson, film specialist

Jakarta

Monday, June 1

TBD Arrive in Jakarta. Met at airport by Michele Cenzer. Proceed to hotel.

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is home to over 13 million residents. Jakarta represents the diversity of Indonesia’s ethnic groups; it is a city teeming with activity.

Accommodations: Hotel Borobudur, Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan, Jakarta

Tuesday, June 2

Film screening at American Corner UIN Syarif Hidayatullah – confirmed

10:00 – 11:30 AM Screening both films simultaneously for two classes with approx. 50 university students in each class.

11:30 – 1:00 PM Bring two groups of students together in one big class / auditorium for a discussion with both directors and specialist.

1: 00 – 2:00 PM Lunch with the university lecturers and staff.

Wednesday, June 3

Film screening at SMA Lab School - confirmed

10:00 – 11:30 AM Screening both films simultaneously for two classes with approx. 50 high school students in each class.

11:30 – 1:00 PM Bring two groups of students together in one big class / auditorium for a discussion with both directors and specialist.

1: 00 – 2:00 PM Lunch with the school teachers and staff

Evening Reception at the Counselor for Public Affairs’ Residence - confirmed

Audience: The Public Affairs Officer, Mike Anderson, will host a reception for about 50 government officials (from various Ministries such as the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Maritime & Fisheries, Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Ibu Walikota, etc.) and high-profile filmmakers.

5:30 – 6:30 PM Dinner

6:30 – 7:30 PM Screening of Red Gold. Followed by The Garden trailer.

7:30 – 8:30 PM Discussion with director Lauren Oakes, supported by Scott Hamilton Kennedy, Diane Carson, and Embassy environmental expert.

Thursday, June 4

Film screening at SMA 8 - confirmed

10:00 – 11:30 AM Screening both films simultaneously for two classes with approx. 50 high school students in each class.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Bring two groups of students together in one big class / auditorium for a discussion with both directors and specialist.

1: 00 – 2:00 PM Lunch with the school teachers and staff

Friday, June 5

Film screening and discussion at BPPT (The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology) – tentative

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Screening both films, back-to-back

12:00 – 2:00 PM Lunch and Friday prayers

2:00 – 3:30 PM Discussion with directors & specialist
Topic “How films can be used to influence public policy and perceptions on the environment”

Audience: approx. 100-150 people from media, environmental activists, NGOs, related governmental staff, general public

3: 30 – 6:00 PM Screening both films again for those who couldn’t make morning screening. (tentative)

Saturday, June 6

Rest Day

Balikpapan

Sunday, June 7

9:15 AM Check out of hotel.

9:30 AM Meet Michele Cenzer in the lobby. Proceed to airport.

11:30 AM Depart for Balikpapan on Garuda Indonesia GA 514

2:35 PM Arrive in Balikpapan. Met by car and driver (TBD). Proceed to hotel.

Accommodations: Novotel Hotel, Jl. Brigjen Ery Suparjan No 2

Monday, June 8

Balikpapan University
Audience: approx. 100 university and high school students

8:00 – 9:00 AM Welcoming event at Balikpapan University

9:00 – 10:20 AM Screening The Garden

10:20 – 10:40 AM Coffee Break

10:40 – 11:30 AM Discussion with directors & specialist

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Screening Red Gold

12:30 – 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 PM Discussion with directors & specialist

Tuesday, June 9

Balikpapan City Hall
Audience: NGO activists, filmmakers, local government officials

8:00 – 9:00 AM Welcoming event at City Hall

9:00 – 10:20 AM Screening The Garden

10:20 – 10:40 AM Coffee Break

10:40 – 11:30 AM Discussion with directors & specialist

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Screening Red Gold

12:30 – 1:00 PM Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 PM Discussion with directors & specialist

Semarang

Wednesday, June 10

7:15 AM Filmmakers and specialist check out of hotel.

7:30 AM Depart from hotel for airport.

9:10 AM Depart Balikpapan for Jakarta on Garuda Indonesia GA 513 (check luggage through to Semarang)

10:10 AM Arrive in Jakarta. Transfer to flight GA 238 to Semarang. (Pira and Jason will meet you at the gate and join the same flight.)

12:20 PM Depart for Semarang on GA 238

1:20 PM Arrive in Semarang. Proceed to hotel via hotel shuttle.

Accommodations: Novotel Hotel
Jalan Pemuda no. 123, Semarang

Evening Reception at the Hotel

Audience: We expect about 50 contacts, including alumni of U.S. government exchange programs; rectors, vice rectors, lecturers, faculty members from local universities; heads of NGOs; and key environmental activists.

5:00 – 6:30 PM Dinner hosted by Jason Rebholz

6:30 – 7:30 PM Screening of The Garden. Followed by Red Gold trailer.

7:30 – 9:00 PM Discussion with Scott Hamilton Kennedy, supported by Lauren
Oakes and Diane Carson.

Thursday, June 11

Film screening at Soegijapranata Catholic University - confirmed

9:00 – 10:00 AM Screening Red Gold

11: 00 AM – 12:00 PM Screening The Garden

12:00 – 1:00 PM Discussion with both directors and specialist

1:00 – 2:00 PM Lunch with the Dean and several lecturers.

Friday, June 12

Film screening at American Corner IAIN Walisongo - confirmed

9:00 AM Check out of hotel.

10:00 – 11:30 AM Screening both films simultaneously for two classes, approx. 50 universitey students in each class.

12:00 – 1:30 PM Lunch Break

1:30 – 3:00 PM Bring two groups of students together in one big class / auditorium for a discussion with both directors.

3: 00 – 4:30 PM Screening both films again, to allow students to see the other film.
5:00 PM Depart for airport.

6:25 PM Depart for Jakarta on Garuda Indonesia GA 246

7:25 PM Arrive in Jakarta. Met by Embassy car and driver. Proceed to hotel.