New but Old: A Cultural Awareness

Civis Vol. 2, No. 3, Dec 2010

Tickling of Awareness

Some time ago I met an old friend, let’s call him Andi, for a Balinese hotel breakfast to discuss film production plans. As we were immersed in conversation, suddenly a young woman strolled inside. With bluish green eyes, full lips, a sensual, high nose, blond-brown hair that is at once long, straight, and thick, her body moved as a model on a catwalk, a Cambodia white flower on her ear. Several men- local and foreign- stole a glance, including me and my friend since we were positioned near the entrance and the perfume she was wearing split our concentration. She was stylishly cool. Her fingers clutched a few brochures and a small backpack slung on her back. She wrapped the Balinese floral fabric on her flank which paired with a white tight tank top.

After she passed, my friend suddenly said, “I am reminded of Sharon. I once met a woman just like this one a few years ago.”

“Oh, yes?”

My friend started his story.
At that time, the restaurant was full, and Sharon noticed my friend, who was at that time a vacationing college student. Feeling his friendly acclaim Sharon stepped to his desk. “Do you mind if I join you?”

Akin to an early morning lottery winner, Andy immediately agreed. In front of him, laid a half-finished cup of hot tea and a partially eatn fried rice dish, a typical Indonesian breakfast. Sharon immediately took the toast, butter, cheese, ham, and coffee. They enjoyed eating the breakfast, until she suddenly said, “Nice shirt.”

Andi grimaced. He glanced at his batik t-shirts. “Oh yes, batik. Typical of Indonesia,” he said, delighted to speak with her.

“Indonesia is a nice country,” said Sharon. They now had finished eating and Sharon pointed to the brochure. “On the journey I’ve had time to read and read about Indonesia. Very interesting.”

“I see,” said Andi, suddenly tried to pry his memory for tidbits on Indonesian culture. Not a single successfully catch. Only the Kecak dance, with its’ cak ‘cak’ cak sound. Hmmm …

What else?
She looked at him, hoping that Andi would say more, but Andi’s attempted style crashed and burned he resignly asked, “So what’s the plan while in Bali?”

Sharon showed a brochure that contains a dancing event program, handicrafts, paintings, and local arts. “I will explore this island.”
“I see,” said Andi. “I’m going surfing and bungee jumping. Tonight my friends and I would clubbing. There are many cool places here. You want to come? “He asked hopefully.

“We’ll see.” The woman reached back for her coffee, then waved at a man who came toward them. They kissed in front of Andi, said goodbye, then vanished.

Left alone, Andi mused. So far, he always felt confident – an admired student-leaders beloved by the ladies – but he could not make a pretty Caucasian woman impressed because he did not know anything about the culture of his own country!

What had happened, he thought. How could I be so far from my own country’s culture? Is it the fault of a neglected culture, or mine by thinking everything coming from outside surely is better?

Is it true that foreign cultures are better than local culture? But, if so, why would people overseas are more interested in Indonesian culture and are more appreciative?

Have we, children of Indonesia well-travelled to various lands of modernity, only just realized that solid values are already within us but thus far have consider them cheesy, only until western nations offer their appreciation?

An absurdity if we need others to show us exactly what we have always had – like a small child who must be guided and given examples, after which, can only imitate.

A Crisis of confidence or cultural crisis? Is it the fault of one culture, if we, as owners, are not able to invest in them?

A rhetorical question which needs to be answered only through inner awareness.

Cultural Review

According to Socrates, the man who rules the world is a storyteller. Americans have mastered the world not because of weapons, but due to pop culture through Hollywood and movies, and American music, as well as the works of American writing.

Indonesia is a country very rich in culture. The diverse culture of Indonesia invites to be explored in order to pluralistically contribute to international colors; but it will all be a mere dream if Indonesia is constantly being filled by an artificial culture generated by over-melancholic directors and screenwriters  who continue to serve tear-jerking daily soap opera that are based more on market sentiments than on factual grounding.

It takes a very courageous policy of the government to do a cultural revolution, particularly in the early stages, that culture, specifically pop culture (such as movies and so on), can begin to be funneled to be based on an original Indonesian culture, combined with the right dose of modernity.
This would not have been possible without government interference in the form of policy. Maybe there should be a kind of Revision to our Cultural and Broadcasting Bills, so that the stories that are not based on reality and which do not build moral and noble values ​​can be restricted.

If this is not done, then maybe we would get caught again like we did in the era of the ’80s, when we were nicknamed the Whiny Generation because we really liked over-dramatic romance songs to such extent that our fighting spirit got seriously encumbered.

Lamenting fate and pain is an important pause in life, but opening the floodgate of melancholic tears spells disaster for creativity. Thus is a testament of the strength of a culture, and a culture primarily formed through song, film, readings, etc..

In Article 32 paragraph 1, The state shall advance Indonesia’s national culture among the civilizations of the world by guaranteeing the freedom of the people to maintain and develop cultural values.

So, promoting national culture, is essentially a mandate of the Constitution of 1945 (article 32). As such it is necessary to take several steps, as proposed earlier in regards to draft revisions to the  bills of Culture and Broadcasting, etc., Although it may take a long time and the cost is not small. Actually, there is a simple step that needs to be done, in building this awareness, and that is making the national culture as something that is chic, something exciting and trendy, and this can be done through a national movement directly led by the creative leaders, the creators of Indonesia, artist , artists, culture; all this is very possible.

Nothing is impossible. All it takes is creativity and support. Creativity by the cultural influencers, and support from the government in the form of financing and conditioning, as well as carefully designed broadcasting system which is set in such a way that a popular local culture may obtain a place. Almost by itself, three or four years into the future, the Indonesian people, especially the younger generation, will be proud to advance their local culture and built-in cultural values, no longer needing to reflect on the mirror that is Hollywood-style colonial culture .**

Author

Damien Dematra is a young cultural observer now active as a film director, producer, novelist, painter, and photographer.