Documentary Fest to Return to Erasmus Huis

Jakarta Globe, Robbie Pyburn, September 21, 2012

‘Saving Face,’ a film documenting the lives of acid attack victims from
Pakistan, will be screened at the International Documentary Film Festival.

     

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Following the success of last year’s event, the Erasmus Huis, the Dutch cultural center in South Jakarta, will host its second International Documentary Film Festival from Tuesday to Sept. 29. It is held in association with the International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam, the oldest and largest documentary film festival in the world. The festival will showcase a variety of documentaries from around the world as well as local works.

Last year, eight international films and 20 short-documentaries that were finalists in a local competition were screened. A positive response from attendees prompted a second edition this year.

This time, the event runs parallel with the SBM Golden Lens Documentary Film Festival, an exhibition of 20-short local documentaries selected from approximately 100 entrees. Ten of these films are then judged in the “Best Open Category,” while the other 10 vie for the “Best Student Category.” Also included is an “Audience Choice” award.

The IDFF will screen 17 international documentaries in order to “target more audiences,” according to its website.

“What I tried to do is to bring as many films [to this festival] that are, what I think, high quality,” said Orlow Seunke, the IDFF’s program director. “So I think if you go to see any of the documentaries, you will have a good time and enjoy it.”

Seunke also revealed that the “small theme” of this year’s festival was food.

A total of Rp 47 million ($5,500) prize money, donated by the Jakarta Foreign Correspondents Club and the School for Broadcast Media, Jakarta, will be divided among the winners of the three categories.

Additionally, the 20 documentarian finalists will be awarded with 13 days of workshops headed by experienced filmmakers Jord den Hollander and Hans Treffers. The workshops will be open to other filmmakers for a price.

The theme of this year’s workshops is “Getting Out of the Box,” and as the title suggests, the seminar urges participants to approach filmmaking in an original way. These discussion groups will give up-and-coming filmmakers the chance to develop their skills, collaborate with fellow filmmakers and learn from seasoned experts.

The IDFF includes the national premiere of “Marley,” a film detailing the life and legacy of reggae legend Bob Marley by Kevin Macdonald. The documentary features live performances, rare footage and insightful interviews with the people who were closest with Marley.

Other highlights include a screening of “Bus 174,” a documentary voted one of the 10 best films of 2002 by The New York Times and “Saving Face,” which won an Oscar for “Best Short Subject Documentary” in 2012.

IDFF

Hosted by Erasmus Huis

Sept. 25-29

Free to the public

Supreme Court Clears Prita of Libel Charges

Jakarta Globe, Ezra Sihite, September 18, 2012

Prita Mulyasari answers journalists questions in an undated file
photo at Tangerang district court. (Antara Photo)

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The Supreme Court on Monday overruled a defamation verdict handed down to Prita Mulyasari over an e-mail that was originally deemed a violation of the Law on Electronic Information and Transaction.   

In the verdict that was issued on Monday, a Supreme Court panel of judges acquitted Prita of all charges of defamation, and ordered the complete rehabilitation of her good name by the prosecutor’s office.

“This ruling annulled the [Tangerang district] court ruling and appeal ruling issued by the Supreme Court,” Supreme Court Spokesman Ridwan Mansyur said on Monday, as quoted by Tempo.co.

Presiding Justice Djoko Sarwoko along with several other judges agreed that the e-mail sent by Prita, who was accused of defaming Omni International Hospital, should not be categorized as libelous.

Thirty-five-year-old Prita’s plight was quickly taken up by the public, and an online support campaign led to a popular nationwide fundraising effort to raise money for Prita’s legal fees.

Prita originally received a six-month suspended prison sentence from the Supreme Court for violating the Law on Electronic Information and Transaction, a verdict that directly contradicted the same court’s earlier acquittal in a related civil case in July 2009.

Lawmaker Eva Kusuma Sundari, a member of House Commission III overseeing legal affairs, hailed the appeal as “fair” on Tuesday.

“The verdict of this case review shows that the Supreme Court has rightly defended the rights in a formal understanding, based on legal and material evidence,” Eva said. “From early on we all knew that Prita was not guilty.”

Eva said to prevent similar cases from occurring in the future, law enforcement needed “a high level of integrity,” to produce comprehensive laws that provided protection for the public.

“The laws are aimed at strengthening human rights protection for the people, so that these very rights do not put the people at a disadvantage,” Eva said.

Prita and the hospital could not be immediately reached for comment.

However, Kompas newspaper quoted Prita as being grateful for the Supreme Court ruling, adding that she hopes “there will be no one meddling with my life and that of my family anymore.”

Related Article:

Prita Mulyasari Cleared of All Charges

Key Questions, Answers About The Prophet Muhammad

Associated Press, Aya Batrawy,  Sep 14, 2012

AP Photo/Mohammed Sabry

An overview about the Prophet Muhammad and why he matters so much to Muslims around the world:

Who is the Prophet Muhammad?

Muslims believe that God revealed the Quran to Muhammad starting in the early 6th century through the Angel Gabriel. Muhammad is not only considered part of a long line of major prophets, including Moses and Jesus, but Muhammad is also considered the last prophet.

Muhammad was married to Khadija, a wealthy woman who inherited her family business and was 15 years older than him. She is considered the first follower of Islam after the prophet. The prophet did not marry again until after her death. Among the women he married after are Aisha, who is revered for transmitting to his followers after his death his way of life and habits, and Maria, a Coptic Christian who converted. The revelation of the Quran began in what is celebrated by Muslims around the world as the month of Ramadan. Muslims believe the Quran is a continuation of the core values of the Torah and Bible.

Why is the Prophet Muhammad so important to Islam?

Muslims consider Muhammad both a spiritual and very human figure who is a model of how they should behave in all aspects of life. The Muslim declaration of faith, or shahada, is: "There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." This declaration is recited often during the five daily prayers as a way of glorifying God and sending blessings to Muhammad, as well as cementing one's faith in the declaration. Muslims do not worship Muhammad but honor him by trying to emulate his ideals.

Why are depictions of the prophet seen as heretical by most Muslims?

Among Sunni Muslims in particular, depictions of any prophets, whether it be Muhammad or Jesus or Moses, are shunned to avoid worship of a person or figure rather than God. God is the absolute in Islam and shares no partner and has no associates. Throughout history, there have been some depictions of the prophet in Islamic art, and it is common to find his name in the form of calligraphy. His name as God's messenger and as part of the Islamic declaration, shahada, is drawn in Arabic and hung in homes and mosques. Shia Muslims are less opposed to depictions and images of Islamic leaders, but drawings of the Prophet Muhammad, positive or not, continue to draw ire by Muslims around the world.

In what ways does the prophet's life impact Muslims today?

In mosque sermons, Muslim homes, Islamic studies and literature on the religion, the prophet's way of life and his words are studied and repeated as examples to live by. While Muslims do not believe the prophet to be perfect, as perfection is believed to be reserved only for God, they revere his relationship with his companions, followers, enemies, wives and neighbors as the ideal that humans should aspire to emulate.

The verbal sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad are key elements of Islam that Muslims often refer to when interpreting Islamic law or answering questions that may not be fully addressed in the Quran. A saying or action by the prophet, known as a "hadith," has been studied in great detail by scholars for centuries to establish its validity. This means the reliability of its transmitters and the accuracy of its lineage back to the prophet must be authenticated.

What is an example of a hadith?

The Prophet Muhammad and his followers were often subjected to mockery, abuse and torture in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, by those opposed to Islam and its message during its early years. It is said he remained patient and did not return insult for insult. This is further exemplified by one his teachings or hadith, in which he states; "Should I inform you about the best characteristics of the dwellers of this world and the hereafter? They are: keeping a relationship with one who cuts it off with you, giving to the one who deprives you, and pardoning the one who oppresses or wrongs you."

Associated Press religion writer Rachel Zoll contributed from New York.

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"The End of History" – Nov 20, 2010 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll)

(Subjects: Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Muhammad, Jesus, God, Jews, Arabs, EU, US, Israel, Iran, Russia, Africa, South America, Global Unity,..... etc.) (Text version)

" ..... If an Arab and a Jew can look at one another and see the Akashic lineage and see the one family, there is hope. If they can see that their differences no longer require that they kill one another, then there is a beginning of a change in history. And that's what is happening now. All of humanity, no matter what the spiritual belief, has been guilty of falling into the historic trap of separating instead of unifying. Now it's starting to change. There's a shift happening. ....."

"Perceptions of God" – June 6, 2010 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Quantum Teaching, The Fear of God, Near-death Experience, God Becomes Mythology, Worship, Mastery, Intelligent Design, Benevolent Creator, Global Unity.... etc.) (Text version)

“.. For centuries you haven't been able to think past that box of what God must be like. So you create a Human-like God with wars in heaven, angel strife, things that would explain the devil, fallen angels, pearly gates, lists of dos and don'ts, and many rules still based on cultures that are centuries old. You create golden streets and even sexual pleasures as rewards for men (of course) - all Human perspective, pasted upon God. I want to tell you that it's a lot different than that. I want to remind you that there are those who have seen it! Why don't you ask somebody who has had what you would call a near-death experience?

Bandung’s Koffie Fabriek Puts The Aroma Back in the Cup

Jakarta Globe, M. Zakky Ramadhany, September 12, 2012

Koffie Fabriek has been roasting, grinding and brewing coffee
using the same techniques since 1930. (JG Photo)

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Among the stalls of spare motorbike parts on Jalan Banceuy in central Bandung is a sturdy slab building that has stood the test of time. The facade of this classic shopfront is a little worse for wear, the white paint peeling back over the rain-stained concrete, but the name of the shop is as clear as ever, spelled out in block lettering: “Aroma: Paberik Kopi.”

The Aroma Coffee Factory, also known by the Dutch name Koffie Fabriek Aroma, is a legendary establishment on Bandung’s culinary scene. It has been doing the same thing since 1930: producing high-quality coffee from some of Indonesia’s best beans.

It was a scorching hot day when I went to visit Koffie Fabriek Aroma with my friend, who wanted to buy some coffee for his grandfather. He didn’t want to give his grandfather any old beans — it was a gift, so he only wanted to buy the best. Having heard about the legendary grind at Aroma, we made it our first stop.

The streets are always clogged on weekends in Bandung, and this day was no exception. Cars and motorbikes filled the street outside the store. We finally found a parking spot nearby and made our way to the shaded entrance of the grand, old building.

The moment we walked in the door, we knew where Koffie Fabriek Aroma got its name: The air was thick with the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. I was fasting at the time, and the smell was overwhelmingly tantalizing.

Inside we were greeted by owner Widyapratama, better known Pak Wid, who has been involved in the business his whole life. Pak Wid’s father opened Aroma in 1930, and passed it on to his son in 1971. Wanting to continue his father’s legacy, Pak Wid runs the business exactly as it was done in the old days, even using the same old-fashioned machinery to sort and roast the beans.

We weren’t the only ones eager to get a taste of Aroma’s special blends — there was already a line of customers trailing out the door when we got there. Waiting in line, I studied the many options available and started to feel a little confused. I didn’t really know the difference between arabica and robusta, let alone which variety to choose.

I did learn was that arabica is best kept for eight years before roasting, and robusta for five.

“The aim of storing coffee for a long time [before roasting] is to reduce the water content so that it’s easier to digest, and so we don’t feel bloated when we drink it,” Pak Wid informed us.

After years of being left to dry, the beans at Aroma are roasted on-site then sold whole, ground or brewed. Even the grind comes in multiple options, from fine to semi-coarse and coarse, each suited to a different brewing method. Coarse grind is best for use in a French press or percolator, a semi-fine grind is best for drip coffee-makers, while a fine grind is great for espresso machines or thrown straight in the cup, as in the Indonesian style kopi tubruk.

I decided to take a bag of coffee home with me to enjoy later. I asked for a quarter-kilogram of mokka arabika (arabica mocha) in a fine grind. Meanwhile, my friend chose arabica beans from Toraja, South Sulawesi. Toraja coffee is synonymous with quality in Indonesia, so he knew his grandfather would be impressed

The staff at Aroma ground the beans we ordered right there in front of us. Even though I couldn’t taste the coffee at that point, the smell of the grind itself lifted my mood and turned my thoughts to sundown, when I could finally break my fast and enjoy a hot cup of coffee at home.

The grounds was packed neatly into two white paper bags with a simple design printed on the front. In Dutch-style spelling, the bag read “Koffie Fabriek Aroma Bandoeng,” with the name of the grind stamped above it in ink. Classic, and very classy.

Pak Wid gave me some tips on how to best prepare the coffee. He said it was important to use fresh, boiling water, and to leave the brew for three minutes so that the aroma of the coffee could be released. Cream, honey and milk are optional additions, but to get the original coffee taste he suggested just adding a little sugar.

After sundown, I put his tips into practice. I chose a small teacup, added one teaspoonful of the mokka arabika and filled the cup with boiling water. As the coffee brewed, a layer of shiny, golden froth rose to the surface — this is known as crema , and is a sure sign of quality coffee. Just as Pak Wid said, after three minutes the aroma of the coffee burst out stronger than before.

After the first sip, I knew why people raved about this coffee. On the second sip, I understood why they were prepared to stand in line to buy it. And on the third sip, I knew I had to recommend this coffee to all my friends.

For die-hard coffee lovers, Koffie Fabriek Aroma is an experience not to be missed.

Indonesian royals gather

The Jakarta Post, Brian Orland and Melati Kaye, Contributor, Bau-Bau, South Sulawesi, September 08 2012

Traditional musician: La Made from Wakantolalo, Southeast Sulawesi,
plays the gambus guitar at the cultural fiesta.

This week the Southeast Sulawesi port city of Bau-Bau hosted the biannual Festival Kraton Nusantara.

To kick off the event, young ladies of the one-time Butonese kingdom of Wolio welcomed the 60 plus visiting royal families last Saturday with a traditional feast called pekakandekanden, meaning “eat and eat” in the local dialect.

Ready to save: A Butonese Palace
guard leads the royal procession.

And the row upon row of picnic blankets laid deep in platters of traditional Butonese dishes including curried crab and eggs, sweet onde-onde and lapapa (red and white rice steamed in banana leaves) were invitation enough to join in the celebration. 

As per Butonese tradition, the ladies, dressed in chiffon, velvet and silk, served the grand homemade buffets free of charge with the condition that they hand-feed the first bite to each diner.

Begun in 1997, Festival Kraton Nusantara brings together royalty from across the Indonesian archipelago every two years to celebrate traditional arts and culture.

This year, the event drew over 60 sultans and rajas from Sumatra to West Papua. With the royal entourages came dancers, musicians and craftsmen who demonstrated the richness of Indonesia’s traditions. 

Cheerful leader: A royal from Lombok
was one  of many who enjoyed the
Kraton Nusantara Festival in Bau-
Bau, South Sulawesi.

After the pekakandekanden of the first night, the following three days in Bau-Bau served as cultural showcases of craft, dance and cuisine from all over Indonesia.

On Sunday, the gathered royalty proceeded from the historic kraton down to a newly reclaimed beachfront area where performances, dancing and musical performances commenced.

Monday was reserved for Indonesia’s rich cuisines, and on Tuesday festival organizers selected the host for the festival in 2014.

While many may consider Indonesia’s monarchial period now a part of history, some of the gathered royalty were quick to point out that this was not just a pageant of the arts.

As 22-year-old Princess Ratu Nur Alya Roza Syahoeri from Kanoman Keraton of Cirebon remarked, “With the festival, we are tightening the bonds between palaces, families … Indonesians.”

  

Entertaining: A dance group from Sumedang, West Java, rehearses
outside their hotel.

Take a break: A young lady massages her mother’s sore feet before they
serve a traditional Butonese meal to the royal entourages and other guests.
 This mother, along with many other ladies, had spent the last two days
 preparing the special foods.

— Photos by Brian Orland and Melati Kaye

Indonesia gets bronze in Paralympics, breaking twenty years of drought

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Sports, September 03 2012

Dian David Michael Jacobs: (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)

Indonesia grabbed a bronze medal in the 14th Paralympic Games, after twenty years of coming home empty handed.

Dian David Michael Jacobs grabbed the medal in table tennis after beating José Manuel Ruiz Reyes from Spain in the Excel center in London on Sunday night.

The 32-year-old athlete gained victory in four sets. David won the first set 11-9, but was later defeated in the second set 7-11. David managed to salvage the match by rebounding in the last two round sets, 11-5 and 11-6.

After claiming the title, David shed tears of happiness.

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) secretary general Pribadi said that it was the first time David participated in the event.

Pribadi has proposed that the government award Rp 100 million (US$10,487) to the bronze medalist. However, the government has not yet agreed to the proposal.

"It is the best achievement of an Indonesian Paralympics team so far," said Indonesia’s chef de mission, James Tangkudung, as quoted by kompas.com.

Indonesia’s last achievement in the Paralympics was at the 1998 Toronto games where it collected two silver medals. Since its absence in 1992, the country had not won any medals. 

(yps/iwa)