Riri Riza, Very Exceptional

The annual Indonesia Film Festival is organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Czech Republic and this year’s festival is entitled ‘Focus on Riri Reza’.
Indonesian film makers produce a number of films every year but many of them aim solely for commercial success. Last year saw about 90 films released in the country but only 15 – 20 percent deserve serious attention, says film critic Arya Gunawan.

“The majority is films made without idealism, created merely to generate profit for their producers,” Gunawan said, adding that Riri Riza is very exceptional by being interested in socio-political aspects of film making.

Veteran film critic Salim Said, now the Indonesian ambassador to the Czech Republic, has also voiced his concern about the artistic achievement of most of the Indonesian film directors. But with Riri Riza, he has no doubts.

“Riri Riza is a well-respected film director not only in Indonesia but in the international film community as well,” Salim said. (aktualne)