The Film “Aku Rindu” Receives Warm Reception at the Asean Film Festival in Johannesburg

Thepresidentpost.id - Johannesburg, South Africa - Seven films from seven ASEAN member countries were showcased at the ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) in Johannesburg (17/11). The event, initiated by the ASEAN Pretoria Committee (APC), the umbrella organization for the ASEAN member countries in Pretoria, South Africa, entertained film enthusiasts from Pretoria, Johannesburg, and the surrounding areas.

The film screening took place at The Bioscope Independent Cinema in Johannesburg, known for hosting public screenings of films from various parts of the world that are selected to showcase prestigious films from Southeast Asian countries.

Saud Purwanto Krisnawan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to South Africa, concurrently accredited to the Republic of Botswana, the Kingdom of Eswatini, and the Kingdom of Lesotho, expressed his pride in Indonesia's film representation at the event, particularly with the film "Aku Rindu," which received a positive response from the South African community, especially the attending film enthusiasts. "We are all certainly proud of Indonesia's participation in this stage, and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Pretoria is committed to continue promoting Indonesian films. On the other hand, we also encourage the possibility of collaboration between producers of both countries in film projects in the two countries," concluded Ambassador Saud.

The Film Festival's first day featured the screening of the Thai film "Bad Genius," followed by Malaysia's "Eraser." On the second day, films from three countries, namely Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia, were presented, showcasing "The Attachment," "Mat Biec," and "Aku Rindu (The Greatest Love)," respectively. Singapore and the Philippines, as the closing act of the event, featured their flagship films through the screening of "7 Letters" and "Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes."

H.E. Myint Swe, the Ambassador of Myanmar to South Africa, representing the heads of ASEAN member state representations in Pretoria, South Africa, during the opening of the AFF, stated that the ASEAN Film Festival aimed to introduce ASEAN and ASEAN identity to the public in South Africa on a broader scale.

Shadley Pather, one of the film enthusiasts from Johannesburg, expressed his enthusiasm for attending the AFF event. He mentioned that the AFF's implementation opens up new horizons for his thinking and the community, especially in Johannesburg and the surrounding areas, regarding other regions in the world, particularly Southeast Asia.

Indonesia in "Aku Rindu (The Greatest Love)"

The film "Aku Rindu (The Greatest Love)," directed by Key Mangunsong and set in Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara, received a very warm reception from the attending audience. A lineup of Indonesian actresses and actors, including Verlita Evelyn, Samuel Rizal, Krisjiana Baharudin, Natasha Siahaan, and Tutie Kirana, collaborated in this comedy-drama film. The response to this Indonesian representative film was evident even several days before its screening on November 18, with tickets sold out in advance.

One of the filmgoers, Marzia, a student at the University of Johannesburg, who attended the screening of "Aku Rindu (The Greatest Love)," expressed her strong impression of the storyline and praised the cinematography in this film. In her statement, she revealed that the film sparked her interest in getting to know other Indonesian films.

Diplomacy through film, especially in the cultural spectrum, is now commonly practiced in international relations. Films not only serve as a means of introducing culture to bridge the gap in understanding between nations but also as a tool for conveying messages of world peace.