RECENTLY, Indonesian filmmakers published an open letter to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, asking for his support and assistance to revive the big screen industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The letter, dated March 5, went viral after numerous film personalities and filmmakers such as Hanung Bramantyo, Mira Lesmana, Joko Anwar, Ernest Prakasa, Mawar Eva De Jong, Syakir Daulay, Zaskia Adya Mecca, Dian Sastrowardoyo and Adipati Dolken posted it on their social media accounts.
Into the second year of the pandemic, the national film industry is still struggling. Cinemas have reopened but the public is not really enthusiastic about returning to movie theatres, mostly due to concerns about possible virus transmission and restrictions imposed by the authorities, even though health protocols are in place and mass vaccination is underway.