While Jakarta keeps getting shiny new cineplexes, almost all of them play the same limited selection of Hollywood fare and local films chosen by theater owners more concerned with box office performance than artistic merit. Fortunately, Jakarta also has several film festivals throughout the year where movie lovers can see ambitious works of international indie filmmakers the ways they were meant to be seen – on the big screen.
One of the best of these is the annual Erasmus Documentary Festival, which takes place this year from September 6-12. Put on by the Dutch cultural center, it features a killer lineup of both big name Oscar-worthy documentaries as well as films from first-time directors and local producers, with 37 films being shown in total. To keep things fresh, none of the films are more than three years old. And best of all, all the screenings are free!
This year, a special emphasis is being placed on documentaries relating to music. Some of the highlights include “Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown,” a brilliant biopic about the soul singer produced by HBO, as well as “Stones in Exile,” which documents the months the Rolling Stones spent in Paris working on their legendary album “ “Exile on Main Street” while dodging tax problems in the US and UK.
But it’s not all about the music. As usual, Erasmus and the Indonesian Film Center have put together a series of film screenings about incredibly diverse topics, ranging from the rise of Drone warfare to the dramatic process of casting actors in a movie.
Two of the more well-known documentaries we’re really looking forward to seeing are “The Queen of Versaille,” about the fall of one of America’s wealthiest families, and “Road,” narrated by Liam Neeson, which chronicles the members of the Dunlop motorcycling racing dynasty.
Films will be shown at four venues in Erasmus Haus, including outdoor screenings. In addition to the films, there will also be Q&As with some of the filmmakers and masterclass film workshops.
If you love movies with a healthy dose of both artistry and reality, be sure to block out some time in early September so you can catch as many of this festival’s documentaries as possible. See you there!
Erasmus Documentary Festival
September 6-12
All screenings free!
Erasmus Huis
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav S-3, Setiabudi, South Jakarta
For more info
Website: http://www.erasmusdocfest.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/erasmusdocfest
Coconuts Jakarta is media partners with the Erasmus Documentary Festival
