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The Jakarta Post
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Local Pay TV operators are confiden they can lure 6 percent of the 34 million households with TV sets to subscribe to their services. Arya Sinulingga, corporate secretary of satellite operator Indovision, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday they could meet their target because pay TV use was still low.
He said there were only 700,000 subscribers to pay TV out of 32 million households with TVs, about 2 percent of the market.
"People are fed up with Indonesian soap operas and mystical shows. THey want other programs that are more entertaining, and want more options to meet their needs."
"We want to reach 2.2 million potential subscribers, as their awareness of pay TV improves with their incomes and lifestyles," he said.
An increase in subscribers will automatically reduce fees for pay TV services as customers share the cost of the distribution network.
There are two types of pay TV systems in Indonesia - satellite and cable. Providers like Indovision, Indosat IM2 and Malaysian based Astro TV use satellite technology, while First Media uses a cable network, and Telkom Vision uses both.
Around 500,000 households subscribe to satellite providers, while the remaining 200,000 use cable.
Subscribers to the five local operators grew from 476,000 in 2006 to 700,000 last year
. There are another 15 pay TV broadcasters in Indonesia's provinces, who have not yet obtained licenses to expand their services nationally.
"Indonesia still has the lowest awareness of pay TV in the Asia Pacific region, but subscriber rates will gradually increase every year," Arya said. Pay TV was first launched just before the 1997 Asian financial crisis, he said.
Ade Armando, a media observer and lecturer from the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Indonesia, said the govenment should support the growth of pay TV by not allowing providers to monopolize any programs.
"Let us compete fairly by increasing our services and quality, not by monopolizing the most popular programs," he said. (rff)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Odendaal steps down as Astro CEO
HONG KONG – Robert Odendaal is to step down as CEO of Malaysian pay-TV giant Astro All Asia Networks with effect from April 15.
Odendaal, who has been in the job only since Jan 2007, says his resignation was brought about by "personal and lifestyle" reasons.
Astro, which has a footprint spanning much of South East Asia, will seek a replacement. In the short term his responsibilities will be taken on by executive deputy chairman Ralph Marshall.
"AAAN is a world-class pay-TV ad media company with performance metrics that benchmark strongly by any standard of excellence. My decision to leave is based on lifestyle decisions," he said in a statement.
A British citizen, Oddendaal was previously CEO of wireless service provider Bell Mobility in Canada, CEO of pay-TV operator Bell ExpressVu and a director of content and new media distribution and products at satcaster BSkyB in the U.K.
Odendaal, who has been in the job only since Jan 2007, says his resignation was brought about by "personal and lifestyle" reasons.
Astro, which has a footprint spanning much of South East Asia, will seek a replacement. In the short term his responsibilities will be taken on by executive deputy chairman Ralph Marshall.
"AAAN is a world-class pay-TV ad media company with performance metrics that benchmark strongly by any standard of excellence. My decision to leave is based on lifestyle decisions," he said in a statement.
A British citizen, Oddendaal was previously CEO of wireless service provider Bell Mobility in Canada, CEO of pay-TV operator Bell ExpressVu and a director of content and new media distribution and products at satcaster BSkyB in the U.K.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Jakarta film fest chooses "Forever"
HONG KONG -- The ninth running of the Jakarta Int'l Film Festival (Jiffest) (7-16 Dec) wrapped Sunday with "3 Days to Forever" named as the best Indonesian pic.
Pic, helmed by Riri Riza collected a $5,000 prize, as did Deddy Mizwar, named as best Indonesian helmer, for his pic "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2."
A separate jury awarded the human rights award to "Playing Between Elephants," helmed by Aryo Danusiri.
Richest prizes on offer were the Euros 5,000 for feature movie projects in the third running of the Jiffest Script Development Competition. Each receiving the coin from the Hubert Bals Foundation were "Opa's Letter" (Surat Opa) by Dina Jasanti and "A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf.
Fest, which has struggled for survival against the indifference of local authorities, said that it had received a promise of support from Fauzi Bowo, the newly appointed Governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo, throughout the length of his term in office.
In total event included screening of 180 films from 33 countries at a range of locations around the city. Organizers said that although budget was cut by 30% to IDR3.8 billion ($410,000), spectator numbers dropped by only 15% to 54,000.
Top ticket sellers included Indonesian closing film "Chants of Lotus" and controversial opener "Persepolis," "Into the Wild," docu "The US vs John Lennon," Coen brothers’ "No Country For Old Men," and local pic "The Photograph."
9th Jakarta Int'l Film Fest Prize Winners
Best Indonesian film
"3 Days to Forever" (3 Hari Untuk Selamanya) Riri Riza.
Best Indonesian director
Deddy Mizwar "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2" (Nagabonar (Jadi) 2).
Movies that Matter Human Rights Award for Best Human Rights
"Playing Between Elephants" Aryo Danusiri
Script Development Competition
Documentary Category
"Life and Death of Dogel Cinema" (Layar Tancep Dogel) Endah WS
"Justice for all" (Nur Idham Bin) Masrur Jamaludin
Short Fiction Script Category
"Traffic Jam" Tam Notosusanto
"The Visit" (Yang Kembali) Erwin Indrawan
Feature Script Category
"Opa’s Letter" (Surat Opa) Dinna Jasanti
"A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf
Pic, helmed by Riri Riza collected a $5,000 prize, as did Deddy Mizwar, named as best Indonesian helmer, for his pic "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2."
A separate jury awarded the human rights award to "Playing Between Elephants," helmed by Aryo Danusiri.
Richest prizes on offer were the Euros 5,000 for feature movie projects in the third running of the Jiffest Script Development Competition. Each receiving the coin from the Hubert Bals Foundation were "Opa's Letter" (Surat Opa) by Dina Jasanti and "A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf.
Fest, which has struggled for survival against the indifference of local authorities, said that it had received a promise of support from Fauzi Bowo, the newly appointed Governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo, throughout the length of his term in office.
In total event included screening of 180 films from 33 countries at a range of locations around the city. Organizers said that although budget was cut by 30% to IDR3.8 billion ($410,000), spectator numbers dropped by only 15% to 54,000.
Top ticket sellers included Indonesian closing film "Chants of Lotus" and controversial opener "Persepolis," "Into the Wild," docu "The US vs John Lennon," Coen brothers’ "No Country For Old Men," and local pic "The Photograph."
9th Jakarta Int'l Film Fest Prize Winners
Best Indonesian film
"3 Days to Forever" (3 Hari Untuk Selamanya) Riri Riza.
Best Indonesian director
Deddy Mizwar "Nagabonar (Becomes) 2" (Nagabonar (Jadi) 2).
Movies that Matter Human Rights Award for Best Human Rights
"Playing Between Elephants" Aryo Danusiri
Script Development Competition
Documentary Category
"Life and Death of Dogel Cinema" (Layar Tancep Dogel) Endah WS
"Justice for all" (Nur Idham Bin) Masrur Jamaludin
Short Fiction Script Category
"Traffic Jam" Tam Notosusanto
"The Visit" (Yang Kembali) Erwin Indrawan
Feature Script Category
"Opa’s Letter" (Surat Opa) Dinna Jasanti
"A Beautiful Thing" (Yang Terindah) by Andibachtiar Yusuf
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Indonesian filmmakers stage demonstration
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Written by Patrick Frater
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Story Categories: censorship, Film, Indonesia, People, regulation,
HONG KONG – Film-makers in Indonesia this week launched two separate protest movements.
Highest profile of these is an action in the country's Constitutional Court against the film censorship system. They claim the system is in breach of two of Indonesia's own human rights laws.
Action is brought by the Indonesian Film Society (Masyarakat Film Indonesia), spearheaded by helmer and producer Nia Dinata, helmer Riri Reza, Lalu Roisamria, actress Shanty and academic Tino Saroenggalo. In total over 200 prominent industryites put their name to a petition in 2006, which led to the current court case.
The IFS is also behind a series of boycotts of the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), a national awards ceremony. Last year the Citra award for best film was given to "Ekskul," a camp comedy drama that allegedly stole music from the Korean film "Taegukgi" (Variety, Jan 5, 2007.)
According to local reports more than ten film-makers have turned down nominations for this year's FFI arguing that the awards ceremony and fest are not properly run.
Written by Patrick Frater
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Story Categories: censorship, Film, Indonesia, People, regulation,
HONG KONG – Film-makers in Indonesia this week launched two separate protest movements.
Highest profile of these is an action in the country's Constitutional Court against the film censorship system. They claim the system is in breach of two of Indonesia's own human rights laws.
Action is brought by the Indonesian Film Society (Masyarakat Film Indonesia), spearheaded by helmer and producer Nia Dinata, helmer Riri Reza, Lalu Roisamria, actress Shanty and academic Tino Saroenggalo. In total over 200 prominent industryites put their name to a petition in 2006, which led to the current court case.
The IFS is also behind a series of boycotts of the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), a national awards ceremony. Last year the Citra award for best film was given to "Ekskul," a camp comedy drama that allegedly stole music from the Korean film "Taegukgi" (Variety, Jan 5, 2007.)
According to local reports more than ten film-makers have turned down nominations for this year's FFI arguing that the awards ceremony and fest are not properly run.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Jakarta fest courts controversy
HONG KONG – Jakarta Int'l Film Fest (Jiffest) has unveiled a selection of 170 movies from 35 countries to play at the 9th frame of the event next month (Dec 7-16.)
It opens with "Persepolis," the animated portrayal of life in Iran by Marjane Satrapi that preemed in Cannes and was previously set to open the Bangkok festival, before that festival removed it following a protest from the Iranian Embassy.
Event will wrap on another controversial note. For the first time closing night film is set as the preem of a local movie. "Chants of Lotus" is an omnibus film about marginalized women in modern Indonesia, directed by four women filmmakers, Nia Dinata, Lasja F. Susatyo, Upi and Fatimah Tobing.
Fest contains 'A View From The SEA,' a section dedicated to South East Asian cinema, plus other sections dedicated to 'World Cinema,' documentaries, shorts and a tribute to legendary Malay thespian P. Ramlee. Int'l pictures include: "No Country for old men," "The Namesake," Cannes winner "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."
JiFFest will also play host to two other premieres: Indonesian docu "The Conductors," by Andibachtiar Yusuf, and winners of last year's JiFFest script development competition "Crescent Moon Over the sea," by Yuli Andari and "Boy Meets Girl" by Erik Bachtiar and Utawa Tresno.
This year's script competition and workshop will concentrate on three categories, documentary, features and shorts, and take place at the InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza.
Screening events will unspool at the new Blitz Megaplex in Grand Indonesia shopping mall and cultural centers including the GoetheHaus, Erasmus Huis and Kineforum at Ismail Marzuki Arts Centre.
It opens with "Persepolis," the animated portrayal of life in Iran by Marjane Satrapi that preemed in Cannes and was previously set to open the Bangkok festival, before that festival removed it following a protest from the Iranian Embassy.
Event will wrap on another controversial note. For the first time closing night film is set as the preem of a local movie. "Chants of Lotus" is an omnibus film about marginalized women in modern Indonesia, directed by four women filmmakers, Nia Dinata, Lasja F. Susatyo, Upi and Fatimah Tobing.
Fest contains 'A View From The SEA,' a section dedicated to South East Asian cinema, plus other sections dedicated to 'World Cinema,' documentaries, shorts and a tribute to legendary Malay thespian P. Ramlee. Int'l pictures include: "No Country for old men," "The Namesake," Cannes winner "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."
JiFFest will also play host to two other premieres: Indonesian docu "The Conductors," by Andibachtiar Yusuf, and winners of last year's JiFFest script development competition "Crescent Moon Over the sea," by Yuli Andari and "Boy Meets Girl" by Erik Bachtiar and Utawa Tresno.
This year's script competition and workshop will concentrate on three categories, documentary, features and shorts, and take place at the InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza.
Screening events will unspool at the new Blitz Megaplex in Grand Indonesia shopping mall and cultural centers including the GoetheHaus, Erasmus Huis and Kineforum at Ismail Marzuki Arts Centre.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Photograph
A Sintesa Group presentation of a Triximages (Indonesia)/Salto Films (Indonesia)/Les Petites Lumieres (France) co-production, in association with Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres Centre National de la Cinematographie Fonds Sud (France)/Goteborg Film Fund (Sweden)/Prince Claus Film Fund (Netherlands)/Visions Sud Est Switzerland (Switzerland)/Open Doors Factory (Switzerland)/Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (Switzerland)/Orangewaterland (Indonesia). (International sales: Salto Films, Jakarta.) Produced by Paquita Widjaja-Aftef, Shanty Harmayn, Nan Achnas. Co-producer Natacha Devilliers.
(cq)
A fallen woman on the run develops a new life with the aid of a troubled photographer in “The Photograph,” the fourth feature from Indonesian helmer Nan Achnas, whose keen eye, and quality lensing, provides a visually luxuriant film experience. Pic was released locally in July, and some arthouse play is possible in niche markets across Asia and Europe, but deliberately paced yarn — with strong central perfs, delivered with sensitivity — is more likely to be confined to fest circuit.
Aging photographer Johan (Lim Kay Tong) operates his portrait business in an unnamed Indonesian town (pic was shot in Central Java’s Semarang).
Scorned by the townfolk for his habit of performing mourning rituals on the local railway track, snapper lives alone and is clearly haunted by mysterious photographs placed on his meditation altar.
Elsewhere in the town, 25-year-old Sita (Shanty) removes her personal photographs from a room from which she has just been evicted. The pair meet, apparently not for the first time, and a little too conveniently the homeless Sita convinces the reluctant Johan to let her move into his vacant attic.
Working as a prostie in a karaoke bar, Sita sends most of her earnings to the distant village where her frail mom is looking after protag’s 5-year-old daughter. However, when she is gang-raped by several customers set up by her overbearing pimp Suroso (Lukman Sardi), Sita’s leaves the oldest profession behind.
Her major source of income removed, Sita earns her keep by cleaning Johan’s premises. The photographer announces he is urgently seeking an apprentice before his impending death, but dismisses Sita’s candidacy because she’s a woman. Unruffled by his rejection, Sita helps Johan search for a successor while her curiosity about photography and Johan’s problems continue to grow.
Narrative is straightforward and deals its cards slowly, and only takes from the bottom of the deck when delivering denouement’s literary-style twist. Helming is clean and uncluttered. Perfs have authentic ring and rapport between Lim and Shanty is convincing. Sardi, who impressed in Rudy Soedjarwo’s “9 Dragons” last year, provides credible menace as the angry pimp. Detailed production design by Men Fo goes a long way into creating the right atmosphere, and is further enhanced by Yadi Sugandi’s quality lensing. Other tech credits are of a high standard.
Directed, written by Nan Achnas. Camera (color), Yadi Sugandi; editor, Sastha Sunu; music, Aksan Sjuman, Titi Handayani; art director, Men Fo; sound, Xavier Marsais, Satrio Budiono. Reviewed on DVD, Brisbane Sept. 26, 2007. (In Pusan Intl. Film Festial — A Window on Asian Cinema). Running time: 94 MIN.
With: Kay Tong Lim, Shanty , Lukman Sardi, Indi Barends.
(cq)
A fallen woman on the run develops a new life with the aid of a troubled photographer in “The Photograph,” the fourth feature from Indonesian helmer Nan Achnas, whose keen eye, and quality lensing, provides a visually luxuriant film experience. Pic was released locally in July, and some arthouse play is possible in niche markets across Asia and Europe, but deliberately paced yarn — with strong central perfs, delivered with sensitivity — is more likely to be confined to fest circuit.
Aging photographer Johan (Lim Kay Tong) operates his portrait business in an unnamed Indonesian town (pic was shot in Central Java’s Semarang).
Scorned by the townfolk for his habit of performing mourning rituals on the local railway track, snapper lives alone and is clearly haunted by mysterious photographs placed on his meditation altar.
Elsewhere in the town, 25-year-old Sita (Shanty) removes her personal photographs from a room from which she has just been evicted. The pair meet, apparently not for the first time, and a little too conveniently the homeless Sita convinces the reluctant Johan to let her move into his vacant attic.
Working as a prostie in a karaoke bar, Sita sends most of her earnings to the distant village where her frail mom is looking after protag’s 5-year-old daughter. However, when she is gang-raped by several customers set up by her overbearing pimp Suroso (Lukman Sardi), Sita’s leaves the oldest profession behind.
Her major source of income removed, Sita earns her keep by cleaning Johan’s premises. The photographer announces he is urgently seeking an apprentice before his impending death, but dismisses Sita’s candidacy because she’s a woman. Unruffled by his rejection, Sita helps Johan search for a successor while her curiosity about photography and Johan’s problems continue to grow.
Narrative is straightforward and deals its cards slowly, and only takes from the bottom of the deck when delivering denouement’s literary-style twist. Helming is clean and uncluttered. Perfs have authentic ring and rapport between Lim and Shanty is convincing. Sardi, who impressed in Rudy Soedjarwo’s “9 Dragons” last year, provides credible menace as the angry pimp. Detailed production design by Men Fo goes a long way into creating the right atmosphere, and is further enhanced by Yadi Sugandi’s quality lensing. Other tech credits are of a high standard.
Directed, written by Nan Achnas. Camera (color), Yadi Sugandi; editor, Sastha Sunu; music, Aksan Sjuman, Titi Handayani; art director, Men Fo; sound, Xavier Marsais, Satrio Budiono. Reviewed on DVD, Brisbane Sept. 26, 2007. (In Pusan Intl. Film Festial — A Window on Asian Cinema). Running time: 94 MIN.
With: Kay Tong Lim, Shanty , Lukman Sardi, Indi Barends.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
VTV3 and Trans TV ready "Karaoke Showdown"
BEIJING – Vietnamese free-to-air broadcaster VTV3 and Indonesia’s Trans TV have licensed the format rights to “Karaoke Showdown” from Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI).
Deals rep the first time the musical variety show has been brought to Asia, though it has been a success around Europe, with format rights sold in Germany, Russia, Denmark, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Poland and Serbia.
Deals rep the first time the musical variety show has been brought to Asia, though it has been a success around Europe, with format rights sold in Germany, Russia, Denmark, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Poland and Serbia.
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