Indonesian Film ‘Surau Dan Silek’ excites Viewers At 3rd Asian Film Festival
Oru Leonard
Participants at the 3rd Asian Film Festival in Abuja, Nigeria, on Friday, January 24, 2020 were excited by an Indonesian film ‘Surau Dan Silek’, directed by Arief Malinmudo.
The film was screened by the Indonesian Embassy alongside seven Asian embassies that organised the 3rd Asian Film Festival Nigeria.
The 90 minutes movie tells the story of an eleven-year-old boy, Adil, who learns the martial art of Silek for competitions. He is taught by his own uncle Rustam. So upset with his defeat to Hardi he accuses him of cheating, and gets more devastated when Rustam leaves the village to live in the city.
Along with his friends Dayat and Kurip, Adil begins searching for a new teacher and meets Johar, a retired university teacher and a former silek warrior. Johar is successful in introducing the grand philosophy of silek to the children.
Speaking to The Sight News at the festival, the Minister Counsellor, Isman Pasha, noted that Indonesia has participated every year at the festival from the first year, adding that the festival is very good.
According to him, “Indonesia has tried to have a very good relationship with Africa which started in 1955. We think the new generation should know about each of our cultures so that through cultural exchange, we can understand each other and build peace in the world”.
He further revealed that the film industry in Indonesia is one of the biggest in south east Asia, as Indonesia has some films that have entered for various famous festivals in Europe and America.
“Some Indonesians are working behind the screen of some Hollywood films, like animations”, he added.
While noting that the Asian Film Festival now has more good films, he expressed hopes that in next year’s edition, the festival will have bigger participants.
The festival had other seven countries in attendance including Bangladesh, Japan, Iran, Syria, Palestine, Korea and China.
The Event had in attendance the Director General, National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe as Guest of Honour, Nigerian dignitaries, Ambassadors, the Diplomats Corps, members of the civil society, cinema lovers, students and activists of cultural organizations.
