The Power of Motion Picture

Indonesian film makers must change their mind-set of making movie for profit to making movie to educate.

Since the introduction of film roll by Kodak in 1906, many people have used it as communication tool to send messages. Unlike any other arts such as literature, music, or painting, film doesn't give its audience a chance to digest another perspective. Its combination of audio and visual is the strength film has which doc'trinally can give clear understanding of something more than other arts.

This next example will widen your gaze about how the power of film could change a nation.

Approximately from 1930 to 1944, Nazi realized and used film as their ultimate weapon to spread their ideology of fascism throughout Germany. They produced almost anykind of film and from every genre, which of course to unconciously attacking German people's mind with their belief.

Slowly but sure, Germans made this watching movie ritual their culture. Every weekends, everybody went to theaters to watch films made by the government. In addition, government ordered not to charge a nickle for Germans if they watch some spesific movies that recommended by the authority.

Magically, this strategy was succeded. In this era, almost every Germans believed in Nazi's doctrine. After that, the number of soldiers increased. Young Germans, male and female, enlisted to become soldiers. That was the way Nazi assemble their troops.

Nazi's tactic of using film as their main propaganda tool reached its goal: through film they had brainwashed people's thoughts.

German people believed in fascism and became its followers. They believed in its value without have to understand it deeply. Their mind-set changed without them knowing it.

On the other hand, Nazi didn't have to force their ideology. Instead, they were giving German people an entertainment.

From the example, we could see how strong film can change a way of thinking. This phenomena is related to Aristotle's theory of "Castration".

Aristotle concluded that human mind and soul are purified after they watched a play. Because there is always a representation of one's character and one's situation that is depicted in a play.

Looking at the element that a play and a film has, we could draw a conclusion that, today, the use of a film is much the same with the use of a play in the ancient time.

So, what have Indonesian film makers made? Nowadays, we could generally divide Indonesian movie into three genres: cheesy drama, cheesy horror, and cheesy sex-oriented movie.

The question is: are we Indonesians really dumb to think that those movies are worth to watch and good for our mental purification? Yes, we're all stupid.

The fact is local film makers are keep producing those three genres because the rating is very high, and it keeps getting higher every year. That indicates Indonesians love to watch those movie with those themes.

It is clear to see we're all enjoying this decrease. That's why we spend lots of money only to be morally blunt.

Ironically, none of them film-makers care about this condition. They only care about their pockets, and their apartments, and their cars, and their names. They only care about making money.

This situation has to change. History has given us lesson that there was a country which had reached its glory only by educating Her people with film (although the ideology is wrong).

With all the power a film has, local film makers are suppose to realize that they have a big role in building Indonesia. They can contribute in increasing Indonesians quality. But the question is: are they brave enough to become the real heroes, just like what Joseph Goebbels did to Germany?

To make them answer the question, we all have to be synical than before, when we talk about Indonesian movie. Are you with me on this?

Written by Dimas Rizky Pramana