Indonesia through the Lens: Film Screening of Semesta

Through the lens of faith and culture across Indonesia’s vast archipelago, it’s the story of seven individuals and their struggle to adapt to climate change, and of their efforts to lead their communities in the face of growing environmental challenges.

The 2018 documentary film Semesta or, as it is known in English, Islands of Faith, won the Best Feature-length Documentary Film category at the 2018 Indonesian Film Festival and was selected for the Suncine International Environmental Film Festival in Barcelona in November 2019. And now, the ANU and ACT community can watch this film at the first public screening of the movie, along with English subtitles, in Canberra.

Spearheading this initiative is the Balai Bahasa Indonesia (BBI) (ACT), in the hope that through the medium of film, important social, cultural and ecological changes in Indonesia will be illuminated.

We recently caught up with the Chair at BBI ACT, Mr Heath McMichael, to talk about Semesta, the film night, and about the BBI (ACT)’s association with ANU and CHL.

Tell us more about BBI (ACT) and its association with CHL and ANU.

Balai Bahasa Indonesia (ACT) - the Indonesian Language Pavilion of the ACT - is a not-for-profit community organisation incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory. It was established in 2011 with three principle goals: to support the teaching and learning of Indonesian throughout the ACT and surrounding regions; to promote Indonesian cultural and language events, and; to foster cross-cultural links between individuals and organisations in Indonesia and Australia. We are not associated with the Australian or Indonesian Governments but we do work closely and cooperatively with the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra. At present, BBI (ACT) has nearly 90 members from all walks of life, including teachers, university educators, public servants and students. BBI (ACT) strongly supports the teaching of Indonesian at CHL/ANU and we acknowledge ANU’s long and proud tradition in Asian language education.

Tell us more about yourself and how you came to be associated with BBI (ACT).

I developed a love of the Indonesian language when I was an undergraduate student at Melbourne University. Much of my professional life has been involved with promoting trade, development assistance and cultural links between Australia and Indonesia including during four postings to Indonesia for various Australian state and commonwealth government agencies. In Indonesia, I tried to maintain a working proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia as I believe Australians should try to communicate with our Indonesian friends in Indonesian wherever possible and to the extent with which one is comfortable. I have always found Indonesians very accommodating with foreigners using their language. Although my Australian accent is a dead give-away, I think I can be relied on these days to successfully order a martabak (delicious Indonesian street food) from a pedagang kaki-lima (street vendor) in Jakarta or Surabaya! I have been a member of the Board of BBI (ACT) since its inception and its chair since 2015.

What are your thoughts on Indonesian Studies in general and the program at CHL?

The slow and steady decline of Indonesian language study in Australian schools and universities has been well-documented, including by BBI (ACT) which contributed to the former Gillard Government’s White Paper on Australia in the Asian Century. In our view, the commitment to Asian languages, and Indonesian in particular, has been inadequate and sorely in need of a funding boost. It is not just a matter for governments, though. The whole community needs to be convinced that Asia literacy is a vital skill for Australians as Asia resurges. BBI (ACT) hopes the Indonesia program in CHL will continue to play an influential role in preparing young Australians to embrace that future in partnership with our Indonesian neighbours.

What kinds of events and initiatives have you recently been involved in?

Our regular Book Club meetings are a favourite BBI (ACT) activity – not only as a way to gain a deeper understanding of popular Indonesian literature, but also as a convivial way to socialise with people who have a love of Indonesian language and culture. The last work we delved into was the engaging novel by Yogyakarta-based writer, Herry Gendut Janarto , titled simply Yogya Yogya. Through the medium of Zoom, we were able to connect with an appreciative audience in Indonesia. We are planning future Book Club discussions which will be advertised on our website. Apart from reviewing books, we organise Indonesian language and culture immersion courses for teaches of Indonesian in ACT schools, malam ngobrol conversation practise sessions and, indeed, Indonesian film nights. Our last (pre-pandemic) film screening in 2017 was Laut Bercermin (The Mirror Never Lies), set amongst the Bajo Sea Gypsies in Southeast Sulawesi, at the National Film and Sound Archive. We will be publicising future events on our website and via Instagram at: bbi_act.

On 12 October, you will host a screening of the film Semesta. Can you tell us more about how this idea originated and the journey you’ve had making it a reality?

Covid-19 has definitely not been a friend to us in organising our Indonesian Film Night in 2022! After a few false starts because of lockdowns, we negotiated a MoU between BBI (ACT) and the film’s production house in Jakarta (PT Talamedia, otherwise known as Tanakhir Films) to screen a high resolution version of the film in DCP format at the Kambri cinema on campus. This will be the first public screening of the award-winning documentary film in Canberra. Semesta portrays the impact of climate change on ordinary people and their communities across Indonesia’s vast archipelago. It documents the story of seven individuals’ struggle to respond to environmental challenges affecting their lives and livelihoods. The film compellingly illuminates important social, cultural and ecological changes occurring in Indonesia. We hope to have a strong turnout!

What are your perspectives on the Indonesia-Australia relationship?

I’m confident that the multi-faceted relationship between our two countries is now stronger than ever. BBI (ACT) is keen to play a part in fostering the critical people-to-people aspect of the relationship by promoting mutual awareness of each other’s languages and cultural make-up.

What’s your favourite word or expression in Indonesian and why?

I’ve already indicated my love of Indonesian street food! Apart from martabak, my favourite dishes are nasi rawon (a meat broth dish from East Java), sop buntut (ox-tail soup - definitely the best is to be found at the Bogor Café at the Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta!) and, to show I’m not a carnivore, sayur lodeh (vegetable stew in coconut milk). My mouth is watering at the thought of savouring these all again!

Can you share an interesting or fun anecdote from your experience with Indonesia or the Indonesian Program at ANU?

Well, my first name is difficult for many Indonesians to pronounce. So over the years I have got used to being called simply, Pak (Mr) Heat (should be Heath, of course!). Through the Indonesian Film Night on 12 October, BBI (ACT) is looking forward to deepening our engagement with the Indonesia Program at ANU. We hope it will be the start of many rewarding collaborations in the years to come.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?

I would encourage anyone who shares BBI (ACT)’s goal to further the understanding of Indonesian language and culture in the ACT to join BBI (ACT). Anyone interested in becoming a member can do so online at: [Membership | Balai Bahasa Indonesia (ACT).

Bookings for Semesta will be processed strictly online through Eventbrite, so please register early. The screening at the Kambri cinema will be conducted in accordance with ANU Covid-19 protocols. Our partners in the Education and Culture Section at the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra have generously offered to provide delicious Indonesian finger food before the film starts.

Semesta: Islands of Faith will be of interest not only to those with a background in Indonesia, but for anyone with an interest in the environment and the complex interactions between humans and the natural world. We look forward to seeing you there!